Football
John Duerden, Asia correspondent 6y

Peter Odemwingie looks for Indonesia club after Madura United exit

Peter Odemwingie has confirmed that he is looking to leave Madura United as the 2017 season has come to an end, but the ex-English Premier League winger is open to remaining in Indonesia.

Of all the big-name signings that arrived in Liga 1 for the 2017 season, Odemwingie was the most successful.

The former Nigeria forward raced to the top of the scoring charts with 13 strikes in the first half of the season.

The goals dried up a little subsequently, as did Madura's title challenge with the club eventually finishing fifth. But 15 goals in total is an impressive return.

Fans had been hoping the 36-year-old would stay but Madura president Achsanul Qosari told supporters that after receiving a red card against champions Bhayangkara last week, the ex-Stoke City and West Bromich Albion star had decided to leave.

"Since the game with Bhayangkara, Odemwingie has been felt unhappy about continuing his career in Indonesia," Qosari said. "He was really angry with opponents who he felt were trying to provoke him in a way that went against the spirit of fair play.'

Odemwingie took to Twitter to tell the president not to say things to the media that were never said and then followed with a longer post.

"It is not correct of both president of Madura and HS [team manager Haruna Soemitro] to give out details of my contract... we'll let the dust settle down and hopefully find a sensible win-win."

Odemwingie also denied making any negative comments about the league, or the Indonesian FA.

"The club shouldn't use my name to complain about the league operators because we didn't become champions. We came close to it's hard to handle the emotions so to an extent is understandable."

Odemwingie indicated to SuperBall that he is open to staying in Indonesia for next season.

"Why not stay in Indonesia? I like to live here," Odemwingie said. "The supporters are very friendly to me at every stadium I have played in."

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