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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Richard Forrester

Bristol City favourite Benik Afobe leaves for Dubai as Steven Caulker makes Championship return

Former Bristol City forward Benik Afobe has left Millwall and will embark on a new chapter in his career with UAE side Hatta Club while defender Steven Caulker has also returned to the Championship with Wigan.

Afobe, 29, had his contract with Gary Rowett's side mutually terminated last week after making eight league starts and 11 substitute appearances in the first half of the season, scoring two goals. His deal with Millwall was expiring at the end of the season.

Hatta Club, who play in the second tier in Dubai and currently sit 14th, announced the arrival of Afobe on Monday evening. The striker also took to Instagram to confirm his move and wrote: "I have left Millwall by mutual consent.

"Thank you to everyone associated with the club for the past 18 months. I’ve enjoyed my time there with a great bunch of lads. I wish nothing but the best for you all. Dubai living and playing by the beautiful mountains of Hatta. Excited by this new adventure.”

Afobe endeared himself to the City fanbase during his loan spell in the 2019/20 campaign. He scored three in his first six matches but then suffered a cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for a large chunk of the season.

He returned for the final handful of matches but had struggled to regain his full fitness following nine months on the sidelines. After leaving City, he had loan spells with Trabzonspor and Millwall before joining the latter on a permanent deal.

Meanwhile, another former favourite Caulker will look to bolster Wigan's Championship survival hopes by signing for Kolo Toure's side. The Latics are currently rock-bottom having lost their last four consecutive matches and sit five points adrift of City.

The 31-year-old has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season following a turbulent stint in Turkey. He moved to Alanyaspor at the beginning of 2019 before his impressive performances earned a move to Fenerbahce.

He failed to make an appearance for the Turkish giants before joining Gaziantep on loan and then Fatih Karagumruk. Caulker spent the 2010/11 season on loan at City and became an instant hit with 29 appearances, earning the Young Player of the Year award as the Robins finished 15th in the Championship.

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