Abuja – Malam Farouk Yarma, Executive Chairman, Gombe State Sports Commission, has said that the report by Maurice Cooreman, the Chief Coach of Gombe United FC, prompted goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim’s signing.

Agbim signed a one-year deal with the club with an agreement to leave if any foreign club comes for him.

Yarma, while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, said Cooreman’s demand for a good goalkeeper which was part of his guarantee for a continental ticket this season necessitated the signing.

“We retained the service of our chief coach because he did us proud last season after we finished on the 7th position in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table.

“So, we have no reason to sack him, instead, we told him that he must give us a technical report for him to continue.

“He sent the report to the management of the club and they forwarded it to my office; I saw the recommendation where he said he needs certain players in certain positions.

“These positions include the centre back, central defence and the goalkeeping area; that is why we signed Chigozie Agbim,’’ Yarma said.

He noted that Super Eagles defender Papa Idris, who had a short stint with a Scottish club; Adamu Mohammed from Bayelsa United and Sanusi Sani were signed in the defence position.

Yarma also noted that he consented to Agbim’s deal after his superlative performances against South Africa, Ghana and Zimbabwe, at the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosted by South Africa.

“Agbim played under Cooreman in Nigeria Ports Authority and Warri Wolves FC and this is to show you that he knows the quality Agbim is made of.

“Part of the conditions we signed him is that he must stay with the club in 2013/2014 season as long as he plays in the NPFL.

“We, however, told him that we will let him go if he gets an offer outside the country.

“We also told him that he must play matches so long as the coach selects him for a particular match unless he is in the national team.

“I believe Agbim will remain the number one home-based goalkeeper,’’ Yarma said.

He noted that the match rustiness, which slightly affected his performance at CHAN was now a thing of the past following his new contract with the club. (NAN)