Barcelona Defender Samuel Umtiti Set To Join Lecce

Published

4 years ago

August 23, 2022

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti is reportedly closing in on a loan deal to join Lecce.

Umtiti has struggled with injuries in his time at Barcelona, which has affected his playing time, while he has also fallen down the pecking order at the club.

The defender made just one league appearance in the 2021-22 campaign, and he was widely expected to leave the Catalan giants this summer.

According to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, Umtiti is nearing a Barcelona exit as he closes in on a loan move to Serie A club Lecce.

Barcelona will pay 100% of Umtiti’s wages, but the two clubs are still discussing add-ons, which would be based on appearances made by the center-back.

The report states that Umtiti will fly to Lecce on Wednesday to complete his loan move to the newly-promoted side.

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VIP Spikers unveil Veronica Gyamfi following successful surgery after career-threatening injury

Published

5 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

VIP Spikers have unveiled Veronica Gyamfi as their player, pledging to support her welfare and recovery after an injury sustained during last season’s CGC Volleyball Premier League.

The unveiling took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with Samuel Onikeku, Head of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), performing the ceremony.

Gyamfi sustained the injury while representing Wikki during last season’s CGC Volleyball Premier League.

In a swift response, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), and the President of Vipers sponsored her surgery at Dala Orthopedic Hospital in Kano, where she spent two weeks receiving medical attention.

Her signing by Vipers and Partners VC, popularly known as VIP Spikers, is expected to provide her with continued care and support as she progresses through recovery and works towards returning to competitive volleyball.

Meanwhile, Gyamfi was presented a brand new ASICS canvas and a branded jersey of VIP Spikers as it is believed she would return to play after completing her rehabilitation.

The intervention reflects the importance of athlete welfare in Nigerian sports, particularly the need to ensure that players who sustain injuries while representing their teams receive appropriate medical attention and rehabilitation support.

The sponsorship of Gyamfi’s surgery by the Comptroller-General, followed by her signing by VIP Spikers, highlights the potential impact of collaboration between sports authorities, competition sponsors and clubs in safeguarding athletes’ careers.

After the surgery Gyamfi has been undergoing physiotherapy sessions at the 44 Military Reference hospital in Kaduna as the Sporting Club is supporting her education at Kaduna State Polytechnic.

Gyamfi’s story offers an encouraging example of support for an athlete facing a difficult period in her career.

Her unveiling reinforces the message that volleyball development goes beyond competitions and trophies to include protecting players’ welfare and helping them return to the sport they love.

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