Paola Egonu shifts from Imoco Conegliano to VakifBank Istanbul
Paola Egonu has transferred from Imoco Conegliano to VakifBank Istanbul, where she will wear shirt number 8. The move follows her previous Champions League success with the Turkish club and comes after she declined a one million euro renewal offer in Italy.
Paola Egonu left Imoco Conegliano to join VakifBank Istanbul. This move follows her previous stint with the Turkish club during the 2022/2023 season when she won the Champions League. She previously played for Allianz Vero Volley Milano after leaving VakifBank, but recent developments confirm her presence in Istanbul.
A change in club and jersey number
Egonu leaves behind a career in Italy where she earned numerous titles. At Imoco Conegliano, she won the Italian league, the Italian Cup, the Italian Super Cup, the FIVB Club World Championship, and the CEV Champions League. She also secured the MVP award at the 2019 Italian Super Cup and the 2019 CEV Champions League. Her performance in 2021 earned her the CEV "Player of the Year" title.
The transfer involves specific details regarding her role and contract history. While Fenerbahce proposed a five million euro deal over four years, Egonu opted for a shorter commitment with VakifBank. This decision came after she declined a one million euro renewal offer from Imoco. She will wear shirt number 8 for her new team.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Position | Opposite hitter |
| Previous club | Imoco Conegliano |
| New club | VakifBank Istanbul |
| Shirt number | 8 |
Her arrival in Istanbul follows intense market rumors. Raphaela Folie confirmed that Egonu signed with VakifBank. This move creates a potential exchange of opposites between the Turkish and Italian leagues. Imoco Conegliano might target Swedish opposite Isabelle Haak to fill the gap left by Egonu.
Performance and squad rotations
Egonu remains a dominant force on the court. In a match against THY Istanbul on November 27, she scored 23 points and finished as the top scorer. During the 2022/2023 Champions League final against Eczacibasi, she scored 42 points. This high scoring output led to her being named MVP.
Coach Giovanni Guidetti manages the squad rotations. He recently used a mass turnover against PTT Ankara, which resulted in a 3-0 win for VakifBank. During that match, players like Aleksia Karutasu and Chiaka Ogbogu scored 20 and 14 points respectively. Egonu did not play in that specific game. She is expected to return to action on December 7 against Stella Rossa Belgrado. Will her scoring consistency remain high under this rotation?
