It has taken him a long while to get noticed but there’s no denying the fact that Pacos Ferreira defender Junior Udeme Pius is heading for the spot of one of the best defenders in Portugal.
Standing at an impressive height of over six feet tall, he has progressed a lot the past few years after dropping a level to the third division in Portugal following the expiration of his deal with FC Porto, where he didn’t make the grades to earn a spot in the first team.
Started last season with top division side Tondela but just when he was beginning to make his mark in the side, he picked up a knee injury that brought his season to a premature end.
He was shipped out on loan at the start of this season to Pacos in order for him to get game time that will aid his return to full fitness and it has worked out really well for him in the Portuguese second division.
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Heading back to the apex league with Pacos is as good as done as they are the runaway leaders with Junior missing just four games in their impressive run so far.
He has impressed with his aerial abilities at both ends of the pitch with two league goals to his name, the 24 year old has also used his abilities on the ball to good effect as he uses both feet almost equally during games.
His pass completion and tackle success rate ranks among the best in the division and his amazing turn of pace for a man of his height has made him more than just the regular centre back.
Junior should no doubt be on the radar of the handlers of the senior national team of Nigeria as one of the options to replace any of the ageing defenders in the Super Eagles particularly if he continue his impressive form in the Portuguese top flight next season.
Daniel Martins