The Iraqi club has finalized a 10-month deal with the defender, subject to a medical and player terms being finalised.

Gbadebo, 25 is departing after three years with Akwa United, in which he has helped them win the Nigeria Professional Football League title.

“These last few days have been charged with many emotions, feelings that I now want to share with all of you,” he remarked to Akwa United family.

“After three incredible and wonderful years at Akwa United a club that I will always carry in my heart, the day has come to say goodbye.

“Since I arrived in 2019, together we have exceeded all expectations and achieved things that I could never have dreamed of. I would like to thank all the coaches and all the people who work or have worked at the club for everything they have done for me.

“Many thanks also to all the Akwa United fans who always gave me a lot of affection and with their great demand they pushed me to give my best and fight for every success.

“I have had the honour of sharing a dressing room with the best players in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

“Finally, I want to thank all Elder Paul Bassey and especially to the city of Uyo. The place will always be special to me.”

Samson Gbadebo said it had been “an incredible journey in every way” and that he was leaving “with the feeling of having given everything and I will not change a single thing in this story of ours”.

The message concluded: “A new chapter begins…”

Founded in 2008, Naft Al-Wasat spent three seasons in the Iraq Division Two and another three in the Iraq Division One until they were promoted from the 2013–14 Iraq Division One to the Iraqi Premier League.

In their first season in the Iraqi Premier League, Naft Al-Wasat became the champions by achieving the 2014–15 Iraqi Premier League.

Nigeria Professional Football League title holders Akwa United received a major boost following the return to fitness of two of their key players; goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka and defender Samson Gbadebo ahead of their match-day 27 tie against Enyimba on Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka missed his team’s last two games (1-0 win against Lobi Stars and a 1-0 loss against Katsina United) following an injury.

Defender Samson Gbadebo has not been in action since match-day 18 after sustaining a domestic injury, but the duo who were instrumental to the Promise Keepers on their title winning campaign last season have been confirmed fit and were part of coach Ayodeji Ayeni’s training programmes throughout the week, and may likely return to action on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of his team’s crucial game against Enyimba, coach Ayodeji Ayeni in an exclusive interview with the club’s official website www.akwaunitedfc.com said his team is in good shape to go all out for victory.

“We are delighted to see all our players. back to training after some injury concerns. We got positive news from the medical department when we came back from Katsina and with that there has been lots of competitions among the players because they all want to play.

“We are particularly happy to have Adewale and Gbadebo back in the team. Their return to fitness is a big boost to all of us.

“As a team, we are committed and determined to ensure we make the best we can out of this season. From what we have done in our training programmes, I can boldly say that we are in top shape and fully prepared for any challenge.

“Our match against Enyimba is a key match for us and we have to give it our all to ensure we get a positive result. I have passed the message to my players and they are aware of the importance of this game so we won’t leave anything to chance”.

Akwa United 6th on the log with 39 points have recorded ten wins, nine draws and seven loses after 27 rounds of matches. The champions will be aiming for their 11th victory of the season on Sunday when they engage 7th placed Enyimba who are one place and one point behind them.

The Peoples Elephants won the first leg 1-0 in Aba but they have lost all three of their previous visits to Uyo.

Coach Ayodeji Ayeni who was voted NPFL Best coach in the month of April after guiding Akwa United to three wins and three draws in the month under review, will be aiming for his fourth win in eight games since joining the club in mid-season.

The game is billed to kickoff at four O’clock (4pm) in the afternoon.

The Promise Keepers did well to extend their lead at the top of table to four points. Charles Atshimene and Mfon Udoh were on target for the Uyo based side at the Nest of Champions.

Gbadebo who still out injured praised the way Akwa United dispatched the visitors in Uyo.

“We have had five massive games in the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“It has been a hard programme and the lads deserve a lot of praise for that.

“This was not a 100 per cent top performance from us but we never gave in. “That is what the character of this club is all about. No other club in the country has got that. “We are fantastic at gritting our teeth and getting something out of a dead situation.”

The 24-year-old, who has been consistent this season has missed Akwa United’s last three games in the NPFL.

In his absence, Kennedy Boboye has played Charles Okafor as a central defender.

Following the win over Adamawa United, the former Enyimba man is stepping up his fitness in a bid to return to the starting line-up as soon as possible.

Samson Gbadebo will be determined to continue his best form upon return for Akwa United at the business end of the season.

Things are talking a positive turn as many sources in Uyo are suggesting that Samson Gbadebo could be back for the game against Adamawa United next week.

The consistent Gbadebo is currently injured and has missed games against Wikki Tourists and Heartland. The club’s best centre-back will also play no part in the top of the table clash with Kano Pillars on Sunday.

As of now, it is understood that the defender has been doing everything in his power in order to make an early return. Gbadebo has been training extremely hard over the last few days in order to make a swift recovery and reports suggest that the centre-back could potentially feature against Adamawa United at the Nest of Champions.

Akwa United are on top of the NPFL log with 49 points from 26 games.