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Ovie Ejeheri returns to his parent club Arsenal as his loan at Finnish club SJK Seinajoki ends much to the dismay of the fans.
SJK Seinajoki continued their charge towards the Finnish Veikkausliiga title with a 1-0 win at home to Honka, returning them joint-top on the log.
Other than being an important league game, there was additional significance to the game in the sense that it was the last time Ovie Ejeheri would suit up for the club.
The reliable goalkeeper joined SJK on loan from Arsenal in January and played 18 games for the club, keeping nine clean sheets and conceding 15 goals.
Ovie Ejeheri says goodbye to SJK Seinajoki
His last game in SJK colours was in his 14th league match and Ovie guided the team to a 1-0 win at home to Honka, after which he had this to say.
“I’m just happy we won of course, it’s good to go out with a clean sheet and a win and we’ve done well to defend very well today, I’m just glad I can end off on a high,” Ejeheri said pitchside in his final postgame interview as an SJK player.
The shot-stopper also expressed regret about having to live SJK midway into the Veikkausliiga season because the Finnish League runs a calendar-year system.
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“I think I would have (loved to stay) 100% but I’ve been playing literally for 12 months straight so it's impossible for me to keep on playing, I’m a human and not a Superman so yeah I couldn’t stay,” he said.
The 20-year-old also spoke on the quality of the Finnish Veikkausliiga, “It’s a very technical league, I think it is slower than English football but it is technical, if you’re not good on the ball you will suffer playing in the league and yea, I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
He rounded up the interview by rallying the troops, encouraging his SJK teammates to keep the fire burning and finish the season strongly without him.
“Of course, we have a chance (to win the league”, I hope they keep on focusing every game just to win every game, it's not about the end goal at the moment, it's just keep winning, keep drawing, don’t lose,” Ovie said in his parting shot.
SJK fans bid Ovie Ejeheri goodbye as he returns to Arsenal
Fans of the club gathered to bid their farewells to Ovie in person in what was an emotional event and celebration of his short yet successful time in Finland.
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The departing goalkeeper had nothing but kind words for the grateful supporters.
“As a player, as a person, I’ve improved, with the ball at my feet I’m much more confident, I’ve enjoyed it here and I’m glad I’ve been able to improve here,” Ovie said.
Ejeheri also revealed his plans upon leaving Finland, “I’ll be going on holiday and be back at Arsenal in August, from then, I’m not so sure.”
His short speech was met by loud applause from the fans all of whom approached the player for pictures and autographs.
Ovie had spent the first half of the season with Chelmsford in the sixth tier of English football where he kept 11 clean sheets in 23 games, conceding just 17 times which prompted Arsenal to recall him and send him to SJK in a bid to help him experience football at a much higher level.
Ovie Ejeheri's impressive 2022/23 season for both Chelmsford and SJK Seinajoki has earned him recognition as number 29 on the Pulse Sports 30 list.
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