Rabat – Moroccan striker Walid Cheddira could be on the verge of a move to Italian champions SSC Napoli, with rumors mounting as the player posted a farewell message to his current club Bari on Instagram.
“My dear Bari, the time has come to say goodbye,” Cheddira wrote in the post. “I arrived two years ago, on tiptoes but with all the desire in the world to perform.”
The player described playing for Bari as an “important privilege” that only few can experience, and reiterated his thanks to the clubs, teammates, and the fans.
“It was a beautiful journey. I want to thank the club, my teammates and you fans: you welcomed me like a son, I will always be grateful to you,” he said. “I love you, thanks for everything.”
Italian football journalist Gianluca di Marzio, who works for Sky Sports, reported that the Moroccan has signed a deal with SSC Napoli, who won the Scudetto last season.
He will not play for them this season however, as he is going on loan to newly promoted club Frosinone, in the hopes of developing his skills further against top-flight opponents.
Interestingly, Napoli will face Frosinone on Saturday as part of Serie A, with di Marzio reporting that Cheddira will watch the game from the stands.
The Moroccan arrived in Bari in the summer of 2021 from Parma on a loan deal, but his signing was made permanent in the summer of 2022.
Last season, he scored 17 goals in Italy’s second division for Bari and five in the Coppa Italia.
He was the joint third top scorer of the league last season, and the top scorer of the Coppa Italia.
He was part of the 2022 Morocco World Cup squad that reached the semi-finals of the tournament, and was thus awarded with an order of the throne from King Mohammed VI, along with the other players.
