Waterford boss Alan Reynolds admits he was left shocked at the abrupt departure of Izzy Akinade.
The Nigerian-born striker flew out of the country on Tuesday to join Vietnamese club Ho Chi Minh City. He marked his debut by coming off the bench to score.
Reynolds says he’s unsure whether the forward had lined up the move when he broke the news of his exit last weekend.
Akinade has been subject to a deportation order since 2016 when he was a Bohemians player.
He scored eight league goals for Waterford during his 18 months with the club.
“To be honest, I didn’t believe Izzy when he told me last Saturday that he was leaving,” said Rennie.
“I was aware of this issue when he signed for us but I didn’t take too much notice when nothing cropped up.
“Izzy is a bubbly character and sometimes I’d wished he had already gone but he will be a loss to us.”
Reynolds wants to bolster his squad with at least five recruits in this transfer window.
After last season’s impressive fourth-placed finish on their top-flight return, mixed results so far this term has left them struggling in eight spot.
Attempts to sign Sam Bone from Shamrock Rovers on loan and Will Fitzgerald of Limerick are ongoing but Aaron Drinan is unlikely to return.
He recently completed a loan spell at the RSC from Ipswich Town.
“Aaron has interest from a few League of Ireland clubs but wants to stay in England,” said Reynolds of the Ireland Under-21 striker.
“We need more attacking options but I can’t be certain of Aaron coming back to us.”
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