I was Too Honest, Which was My Downfall - Osaze Odemwingie Talks About His Football Experience

Nigerian player, Peter Odemwingie

 

Osaze Odemwingie has shared his touching experience how he felt nearly humiliated after his proposed move to another club collapsed at the last minute. Peter Odemwingie has revealed how he felt lonely and downcast after his reported deal with Queens Park Rangers fell apart as he tried to secure a move to the club in 2013. 

 

He drove 150miles to QPR's training ground and appeared on television claiming the move would go through only for things to fall apart. 

 

He shared his experience with The Sun Sports.

 

The former Premier League star’s infamous failed transfer to QPR has gone down in deadline day history.

 

And though he admits the video of him talking out of his car window Harry Redknapp-style was a "big mistake", he is now able to look back and laugh.

 

He said: "It gave me negative publicity but in the three clubs since I have laughed about it with my teammates. If someone at one of my other clubs left, we would call it an ‘Odemwingie’."

 

However, he maintains the 120-mile drive down to London was not his idea and that he was "hung out to dry" by West Brom.

 

He said: “I was too honest, which was my downfall, and I have paid the price for that ever since. I wanted the move, everyone knew my intentions and I thought the deal was going to happen.

“It was a big mistake by me to go in front of a camera, but I definitely feel hard done by. West Brom felt I was forcing their hand, but it was not my call and it was partly their fault.

 

“I got all the publicity and had to answer all the questions, but there were lots of other people involved in the deal.

“The idea at the time was from one of the agents, and I can say 100 per cent I would never have done it otherwise. Have they, or anyone from West Brom given their side? No. They hung me out to dry.

“The terms were all of West Brom’s, none of mine. I accepted them, and then I drove down after saying my goodbyes assuming the move would happen only to look like a fool on camera.”

 

After the deal collapsed, he was made a pariah at the Hawthorns and fell out with then-owner Jeremy Peace – but believes his reputation as a troublemaker is unfair.

 

He added: “Steve Clarke admitted the next day he thought it was going through, but I didn’t know at the time Junior Hoilett at QPR was going to go the other way, which muddied the water without my knowledge – so when he said it was ‘lunacy’ the next day, he knew the whole story.

“It was an odd atmosphere going back, as I promised my West Brom teammates to take them out for a meal to thank them for being supportive as I was a success at the club."