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| Adnan Aziz |
Beninese forward Adnan Aziz says he has resumed individual training following knee surgery and is aiming to return to competitive football in January 2027.
The 24-year-old underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in March 2025. In written responses to Prime 9ja Online, he said the injury had kept him out of competitive action and interrupted plans to pursue a playing opportunity in Argentina.
“My objective is to make my official return to competitive football in January 2027,” he said.
Aziz said he had recently begun individual training after months of rehabilitation and was gradually rebuilding his fitness. He also intends to travel to Argentina for a trial with Chacarita Juniors around the same period.
His interest in Chacarita predates the injury. In an earlier interview with Olé, Aziz explained that an Argentine friend who had worked at the club introduced him to its history and later became his representative. He said a cruciate ligament injury prevented him from travelling for a previously planned trial.
In his response to Prime 9ja Online, Aziz described travelling to Argentina and undertaking a trial as objectives for January.
Born in Djougou, northern Benin, on 1 January 2002, Aziz has a Beninese mother and a Nigerian father. He began playing with Tchémabi FC and Soleil FC before pursuing opportunities in Europe.
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| Adnan Aziz in Licata Calcio colours at Stadio Dino Liotta in 2021. Photograph supplied by ADNAN AZIZ. |
In June 2020, French football publication PassionSports49 reported that Aziz had played for the under-19 and senior teams of Angers MAFCA. The report also described an earlier period with Pro Cittiglio’s youth team in Italy.
A subsequent report published in June 2023 traced his move from Olympique Saumur in France to Santa Croce in Italy for the 2022–23 season, followed by a move to ASD Juvenilia Roseto. It said he had returned to Angers after the season and was considering further playing opportunities.
His time in Italy also included training with Licata. Goal Sicilia mentioned that involvement in August 2022, when reporting on Santa Croce’s interest in signing him.
Aziz’s involvement in Benin’s under-23 preparations is documented in a match report from the same year.
On 27 July 2022, the preparation team faced Aziza FC at the René Pleven Stadium in Akpakpa as it worked towards the Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers.
According to Le Champion’s report, published the following day, Aziz headed in the fifth goal during the final quarter of an hour to complete a 5–0 victory. The fixture was a preparation match against a club side.
Aziz has identified a senior Benin call-up as a longer-term ambition. His immediate plans centre on returning to competitive football after the absence caused by his knee injury.
Describing the effect on his daily life, he told Prime 9ja Online: “Going from being an active footballer to spending months away from the pitch was not easy, either physically or mentally.”