Troost-Ekong's first training session with Bursaspor

.Reveals reason for jersey No.93 choice 

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA international, William Troost-Ekong had the opportunity of meeting with his new teammates at Bursaspor after taking part in Sunday's training session with the Turkish side, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

The 23 year old defender was put through his paces as he underwent a number of fitness and mobility tests to ensure he was carrying no injuries ahead of the new season.

The Super Eagles defender joined the Turkish club from KAA Gent in a €2 million deal on a three-year contract after passing a medical on Saturday.

Bursaspor shared the picture of the Nigerian international with another new signing Cristian Chagas Tarouco in training session with other members of the squad on Sunday.

"Our new signings Cristian Chagas Tarouco (Titi) and William Troost-Ekong in action during their first training with the team," the club said via its official Twitter handle @BursasporSK.

Speaking on the reasons for his switch to Turkey, the centre-back said, "I came here because Bursaspor is a very big club with ambition and a good coach Paul Le Guen. I am here to play and help the team.

"The Turkish Super Lig is strong and I think it is what I need to keep developing."

On the reason behind his choice of picking no 93 jersey for his new club,   Troost-Ekong said,  "because I was born in 1993."

Troost-Ekong, who has emerged a key component of Gernot Rohr's new young Nigeria side, says his focus now is to continue his development and help his new club achieve greater things.

"I want to have a better season here than they did last year and to help the team back to the top," he continued, "and to keep developing with the view to the World Cup in 2018."

The Nigeria defender joined the Belgian club from Dutch side Groningen in 2015, but was loaned out to Norway's Haugesund and only returned to Belgium last November to help the club to a fourth-place finish and Europa League qualification.

He however expressed appreciation to Gent fans.

"I would like to say a big thank you to all the fans of @KAAGent for supporting me in my short time with the club.

"I enjoyed playing in front of you in the Ghelamco Arena. I wish you all the best the coming season in the league and playing in Europe.
Thank you Buffalos! #Buffalo #COBW," he said via his Twitter account @wtroostekong.