Mercato: Ilenikhena joins Monaco, Ajorque returns

New strikers are ready for the Champions League 

Will George Ilenikhena manage to impress at AS Monaco? This is the bet being made by the Principality club which has secured the services of the young Franco-Nigerian striker, who is about to turn 18 years old. The move was made official this Thursday morning. 

Born in Lagos before growing up in the Paris region, George Ilenikhena made his professional debut with Amiens SC in Ligue 2 BKT before impressing in Belgium at Royal Antwerp. There, he scored 14 goals in 50 games in all competitions last season. As the Monégasques prepare for their return to the UEFA Champions League, they will be able to call on the services of a striker who set the competition record for the youngest Nigerian to score in the competition last season, when he scored the winner off the bench in a famous victory over FC Barcelona. 

The Nigerian striker will wear the number 21 ✍️#WelcomeIlenikhena pic.twitter.com/nVnmxl9R8U

— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) July 25, 2024

Brest bring back Ajorque, add Ndiaye

Ahead of their own Champions League campaign, Brest have also been busy this weekend. Having seen Steve Mounié and Lilian Brassier depart this summer, now ee are making additions. After strengthening their defence with Abdoulaye Ndiaye on Wednesday, Stade Brestois 29 are now recruiting in attack. The club announced Thursday morning the return to France of Ludovic Ajorque. The former RC Strasbourg striker, who has played in Mainz for a year and a half, has scored 46 goals to date in Ligue 1 McDonald's. During his time in Germany, the 30-year-old Reunion-born striker scored 9 goals in 46 matches.

On Wednesday, the Breton club had been active in the transfer window with the loan with option to purchase of Abdoulaye Ndiaye from ESTAC Troyes. Recruited by the Aube club last summer after a stint at Olympique Lyonnais, the 22-year-old defender played 31 games with ESTAC and participated in the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal this past season. He will wear the number 3 in the colors of his new club.

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