SUNNY STEPHEN Hopes To Draw Closer To Numancia Fans

23-year-old former Spain Under 20 international Sunny Stephen arrived Valencia in the summer of 2007 with high expectations.

Stephen failed to impress the Valencia bench and was subsequently farmed out on loan first to Osasuna, then Real Betis and Numancia, his current club.  In a space of three years, he started only 13 competitive matches in the league. Not surprising, on his debut for Nigeria's National Team in October, 2010, the Guineans exposed his match rustiness, as he lost almost every ball in midfield.

Despite Sunny Stephen signing a six-year contract, Valencia became impatient with the former Poli Ejido ace, and his contract had to be terminated before the start of the 2011 - 2012 season. It was reported by the Spanish Media that the one - cap Nigeria international had to forfeit 1.3 million euros ( =N=260 million) in wages when he was shown the exit door.

Segunda División side Numancia began pre-season training on Thursday, July 12.  Sunny Stephen must appease the supporters of the Reds next term.He is not very popular with the fans of the Soria based club.

 In a home game with Celta de Vigo last October at the Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, Stephen was dismissed for a silly foul after 41 minutes which angered the fans and coach Pablo Machín. Numancia went on to lose the game, which corresponded to the seventh round of matches in Spain's second tier by 0 - 2 after the dismissal of the defensive midfielder.