The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has celebrated with Super Eagles star Moses Simon who turns 25 on Sunday.
The country’s football governing body took to their social media handle to wish the Nantes winger a lovely birthday.
“Happy birthday @NGSuperEagles winger, @Simon27Moses,” the NFF tweeted.
Born in Jos, Simon is a product of the famed GBS Academy, the same football academy in Nigeria that produced Super Eagles teammate Ahmed Musa.
Simon was linked with Kaduna United, as many professional clubs around the world were also eager to sign him.
On 10 May 2013, it was announced that Simon had signed a pre-contractual agreement with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam to join them in pre-season training, having previously been linked with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
He made his first appearance for Ajax on 13 July 2013 in a pre-season friendly match against De Graafschap, coming on as a substitute player and scoring the third and final goal in the 64th minute of the match, in a 3–0 away win.
He made a further appearance, playing for the reserves team Jong Ajax in a pre-season friendly match against Voorschoten ’97, scoring the second goal in the 5–0 home win.
On 25 July 2013, it was announced that Ajax would not sign Simon, ultimately waiving him from the pre-season roster.
After the announcement discussions commenced with AS Trenčín; Ajax partner club in Slovakia, which is owned by former Ajax player Tschen La Ling.
He spent just one season at AS Trenčín (2014 – 2015) before joining Belgian top-flight club, Gent.
Simon currently plays for Ligue 1 side Nantes where he was named Player of the season and was also included in the club’s Team of the Decade.
On the international scene, the skillful winger has made 33 appearances for the Nigerian national team and was part of the Super Eagles squad that clinched bronze at the last AFCON in Egypt.