Ikorodu City have bolstered their defensive options ahead of the new NPFL season by bringing in Afeez Bankole, who joins the club as a free transfer from fellow top flight side Kwara United.

Bankole spent last season as a regular fixture for Kwara United, gaining valuable experience in the Nigeria Premier Football League that Ikorodu City will now be hoping to tap into.

His arrival is seen as a move to strengthen the club’s backline heading into the new campaign, with the defender expected to bring both composure and know-how to a squad looking to push for better results this time around.

The signing comes on the back of a disappointing previous season for the Lagos side, who narrowly missed out on securing a continental qualification spot despite their efforts.

That near miss appears to have shaped the club’s transfer approach, as they look to add depth and quality in key areas to avoid a repeat of last term’s frustrations.

Ikorodu City have already given fans reason for optimism, opening their new league campaign in style with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Ranchers Bees.

That result has set an encouraging tone early in the season, and the addition of Bankole will likely be viewed as another step toward building a more competitive squad capable of challenging higher up the table.

With the transfer now completed, attention turns to how quickly Bankole can settle into his new environment and contribute to a team aiming to go one step further than last season, both domestically and potentially on the continental front.