Nigerian striker, Osaze Odemwingie’s career at English Premiership side West Bromwich Albion (WBA) ends at the end of the season, with the summer exit decided during talks between the club and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
Osaze had indicated during Thursday’s meeting with the PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, Albion’s sporting and technical director Richard Garlick and the club’s chief executive Mark Jenkins that he wanted to leave this summer.
Albion also agreed not to stand in his way provided a suitable agreement could be reached with another club in the summer, considering the Nigerian international has 12 months left on his current deal.
Despite being the club’s highest goal scorer, 31-year old Osaze fell out with the club and its fans when he attempted to force through a deal to London rival, Queens Park Rangers during the January transfer window, to the point of driving to QPR on the last day of the transfer window.
He has also been fined four times between January and February by the club for misconduct, with one of the fines suspended. He however has contested the fines and the situation has been amicably resolved, although it is not known which of the fines has been cancelled.
Albion’s last game against Wigan on Saturday had re-opened old wounds when substitute Odemwingie was involved in an ugly exchange with a fan as he warmed-up in front of the West Stand.
The drama unfolded when he briefly broke off from his exercises to speak to his wife and child, who were in the front row, and a fan seated nearby launched a verbal attack which prompted an angry reaction from Odemwingie.
While Odemwingie was tolerant of the booing, he took exception to the six-letter expletive being yelled within earshot of his wife and baby.
Meanwhile, TV presenter Adrian Chiles has apologized for the comment he made about Osaze during the club’s end-of-season dinner.
Chiles’ remark, which drew criticism from Steve Clarke last week, was also brought up during the same meeting.
The ITV Sport presenter later called Odemwingie on Friday to apologise.