Royal Antwerp have officially confirmed the signing of Radja Nainggolan on a free transfer. The Belgian midfielder was available as a free agent after terminating his contract with Inter Milan a couple of days ago.
Radja Nainggolan Joins Royal Antwerp
The Belgian is Back Home
Radja Nainggolan is back in Belgium 16 years after he left Germinal Beerschot youth academy to join Piacenza academy. The Belgian signs a two-year contract with Royal Antwerp that will see the midfielder stay at the club until 2023. The transfer marks the first time Nainggolan will be playing for a professional club outside Italy.
The midfielder had started this season as an Inter Milan player. Nainggolan’s future at the club was always in doubt. He was one of the players likely to move out of Inter Milan during this transfer window. The midfielder eventually terminated his contract with Inter Milan by mutual consent before joining Royal Antwerp despite being linked with a move to Cagliari.
A Disastrous Spell with Inter Milan
Radja Nainggolan moved to Inter Milan in 2018. Much was expected from the Belgian after an impressive five seasons with AS Roma. But, he failed to reproduce the form that made him one of the best midfielders in Serie A. After a decent debut season, the midfielder fell down the pecking order following the arrival of Antonio Conte. The Italian opted against using the midfielder and allowed him to move to Cagliari on loan.
Despite an impressive loan spell with Cagliari, Conte again opted against playing the Belgian. Midway through last season, Nainggolan once again moved back on loan to Cagliari. On his return from loan, he had reportedly been keen on moving out of the club. In three seasons as an Inter Milan player, he managed just 41 appearances, spending the majority of his time on loan at Cagliari.
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