Besiktas head coach and former Manchester United striker, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has hailed Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi as a “true leader” following the midfielder’s impressive debut for the Turkish side.
Ndidi made his first appearance for Besiktas in their 2-1 Süper Lig win over Eyüpspor, immediately taking up a starting role under Solskjaer’s guidance.
Positioned at the heart of midfield, the Super Eagles star showcased his defensive prowess and ability to stabilize the team’s central play.
The Nigerian international was given a standing ovation by the Istanbul crowd when he was substituted in the 70th minute for Demir Ege Tiknaz.
Speaking ahead of Besiktas’ UEFA Europa Conference League clash against Lausanne on Thursday, Solskjaer expressed his joy at securing Ndidi’s services.
“First, I want to talk about Wilfred. He’s a very professional player and also a good person. He’s capable of filling some of our gaps. He’s a leader.
“I’m delighted we signed him. I know he’ll contribute greatly in the coming months and years. So, I’m delighted we brought in and signed Wilfred.”
Ndidi concluded an eight-year stint at Leicester City before joining Besiktas. During his time with the Foxes, he played a key role in the club’s historic first FA Cup triumph, beating Chelsea 1-0 in the 2020/2021 final, and also featured in their 1-0 win over Manchester City in 2021.