Isah Eliakwu

Early career

After the abolition of the non-EU quota per team in 2000–01 season, Eliakwu joined Reggiana, where he played along with countrymen Stephen Makinwa, Akande Ajide, Adewale Wahab, Obafemi Martins and Saidi Adeshokan. At that time FIFA had not yet restricted youth player's international transfers. In June 2002, he was signed by AS Roma, but in pure financial tricks to raise profit, which the net asset of the club was just increased in terms of player contract value. Eliakwu and Akande Ajide were exchanged with Daniele De Vezze and Fabio Tinazzi in co-ownership deal, all 4 were valued €2 million thus the 50% registration rights "worth" €1 million each. Tinazzi and De Vezze created false profit of €2 million and €1.93 million for Roma alone. About August 2002, Eliakwu was sold back to Reggiana for free, as well as Ajide was signed outright for Roma for another €1 million.

Inter Milan and loans

On 31 August 2002, age 16, Eliakwu left for Inter Milan in temporary deal where Inter had already signed Obafemi Martins and Saidi Adeshokan the previous year. At Primavera, he was the 4th goalscorer (4 goals) of the league group stage, 7 goals behind team top-scorer Martins. He played at the League Playoffs final that lost to Lecce. In July 2003 Eliakwu was signed in co-ownership deal for €750,000. In 2003–04 season, after Martins was promoted to first team, Eliakwu was the Primavera team topscorer with 38 goals (18+3 in league, 11 in cup & 6 in Viareggio),…