Chipolopolo midfielder Emmanuel Banda has joined Croatian side HNK Rijeka on a 2 and half year deal with an option of extension for a further year.
Banda was on the books of Swedish outfit Djurgadens IF before making a switch to Croatia.
The Club took to social media to confirm the acquisition of the former Nchanga Rangers man.
“Emmanuel Banda is the new player of HNK Rijeka. Banda signed a contract for 2.5 years with the option of extending it for another year.”
Banda told the club that he is happy to join the team. He went in to praise their infrastructure and was quick to mention their winning mentality.
“My first impressions are good, I like the club’s infrastructure, how the club is organized and I think it’s great that I’m here and I’m happy. I saw the project that Rijeka has, I spoke with the sports director and looking at the past eight years, Rijeka has constantly performed in European competitions. This means that it is a team that knows how to win and that fights for trophies. It’s something I want, I want to win trophies and that’s why I decided to come,” said Banda upon his arrival in Rijeka.
Rijeka fans also know the Zambian well, as he played for Djurgardens against Rijeka in the Conference League matches this season.
“They were two difficult games. The first game in Rijeka was the most difficult, although we managed to win. I didn’t know much about Rijeka until we played, but I had the opportunity to see that it was a good team,” Banda said.
Banda has previously played for Esmoriz in Portugal, KV Oostende in Belgium, Beziers in France and Djurgardens in Sweden since February, 2020.
He would have waited for a bigger team to come
Feels wrong….one step back three steps forward; work hard, stay away from those lovely Eastern European women and enjoy football!