Hearts of Scotland have announced that they have opted to keep former Super Eagles defender, Juwon Oshaniwa into the coming season of the Scottish Premier League.
There had been initial talk about a likely exit from the SPL side for Oshaniwa, as the former Sharks of Port Harcourt and AS Ashdod of Israel left-wing-back appeared to struggle during the past campaign, but Hearts’ manager, Robbie Neilson says the star is not leaving this summer.
Oshaniwa had a difficult first year in which he was sent off twice, but contributed to the club getting a Europa League ticket by finishing third last season.
At the height of doubts over his future with Hearts, Oshaniwa, who played for Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, revealed that two Turkish teams want him this summer and were in talks with his agent.
He is now bound to change focus and concentrate on a better season with Hearts, as Neilson stressed that Hearts have no intention of offloading Oshaniwa this summer.
“There’s talk about a lot of players at this time of the season but I’m trying to build a squad here. I need cover at left-back, Faycal and Juwon will compete for the left-back position.
“I’ve not got any plans to let Juwon go, none at all. I’m trying to build a squad, so I can’t afford to let too many go,” Neilson on Monday.