Izzy Akinade has left Waterford FC and was on a flight back to Nigeria on Monday night, with no guarantee he will ever return to Ireland.

The abrupt end to his time at the club has come as a surprise.

The former Bohemians and Bray striker (25) – who came to Ireland as a young child from Nigeria - scored eight league goals for the southeast club.

Manager Alan Reynolds told the club's website: "The club would like to wish Izzy all the best. We signed him after gaining promotion two seasons ago and he scored some important goals for the club.

"We thank him for the hard work and efforts over the past 18 months. He'll be missed on and off the pitch and was a really popular member of the squad."

He had his spleen removed in February of 2017, a consequence of having low blood platelets, a serious operation which almost ended his career.

Reynolds faces a severe shortage of options in attack now. Loan deals for Ireland under-21 striker Aaron Drinan and Scott Twine both recently expired while winger Zak Elbouzedi is out for around a month injured.