Obafemi Martins announces retirement from International football

Nigeria forward Obafemi Martins has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 30

Reason Why Obafemi Martins Left Levante

After moving to Spain last summer on a free transfer from Russian side Rubin Kazan in order to find more playing time, Martins resuscitated his career with the national team. His arrival in Spain came at a huge price, the player took a massive pay cut from about two million Euros to 600,000 Euros per annum.

However, the verve with which he scored seven goals in La Liga was not matched by the Valencia-based club.

Goal.com findings have revealed that club officials failed to secure a Spanish work permit for the player even though they promised him as part of negotiations that they would get him necessary documents.

The player is unhappy that the owners of the club did not fulfil their end of the bargain even when he has been keeping his own end by scoring key goals to help the team’s cause both in the domestic league and the Europa League.

Obafemi Martins Moves To Seattle Sounders

Striker Obafemi Martins has signed for Seattle Sounders in the United States’ Major League Soccer, cutting short his two year contract in Spain with Levante.

Sounders paid $4million (628 million naira) as exit fees to the Valencia-based club on Monday.

It's is good business for the club because Martins moved there on a free in September 2012 after a low period in his career playing at Rubin Kazan in Russia where he had fallen out of favour. This also affected his international game with Nigeria.

"Wow, finally I can now announce that I have just signed for Sounders FC. A big step to take in my career. It's a big challenge but I'm ready," Martins tweeted on Monday evening.

Mario Balotelli's Sister & Obafemi Martins Expecting 1st Child

An Italian Magazine Diva e Donna revealed that, Obafemi Martins and Abigail Barwuah are expecting a child as she is pregnant.