Nigeria international defender Chidozie Awaziem has joined Turkish side Rizespor on loan from Portuguese giants FC Porto.

Awaziem has signed a six-month deal with Rizespor where he will play the entirety of the current season, having struggled for playing time at Porto.

The 22-year-old scored once in 22 appearances for FC Nantes during an impressive loan spell at the French Ligue 1 club last campaign.

However, he has been unable to command a starting berth at the Portuguese champions during the first half of the term, thus, prompting a switch to Rizespor, with the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the corner.

He becomes the second Nigerian at the Turkish Super Lig's bottom Rizespor after Aminu Umar and he could make his debut when his new team face Akhisar Belediyespor in an away league clash this Sunday. 

Since his move to Porto in 2014 from Nigerian outfit El-Kanemi Warriors, the centre-back has played 15 times for the club's first team squad.

A member of the Super Eagles squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, he has one goal and five caps to his name with Nigerian team, having made his debut in a 3-0 friendly win over Togo two years ago.