Former Nigerian striker Abiola Dauda has exclusively disclosed to Footy-Africa that he wishes he had stayed longer at Heart of Midlothian, admitting that he could have handled his departure from the Scottish club differently.
Abiola recently announced his retirement from professional football after nearly 20 years in the game, bringing an end to a career that took him across several European leagues, including spells in the Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland and Serbia.
The former forward, who played for Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem, Swedish Allsvenskan club Kalmar FF and Hearts in Scotland, said his decision to retire was not sudden but the result of years of preparation.
“I have been preparing for it for a while, let’s say three years ago, and I knew I had to be ready mentally for it. I was also exhausted mentally,” Abiola told Footy-Africa. “I’m happy with the career I had and grateful to all my teams and teammates”.
The 37-year-old’s admission offers an insight into the mental demands of a professional career, with the decision to walk away from the game coming after careful consideration rather than a single defining moment.
Dutch and Scottish leagues stood out
Having experienced football in different countries, Abiola believes the Dutch and Scottish leagues were the most competitive and challenging environments of his career.
His time in the Netherlands included a spell with Vitesse Arnhem, while his Scottish experience saw him represent Hearts, one of the country’s established clubs.
“I’m grateful I was able to play in different leagues, but the most competitive will be the Dutch and the Scottish League,” he said.
His career across several European football cultures gave him the opportunity to experience different playing styles and demands, providing a varied backdrop to his nearly two decades as a professional.
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Abiola admits Hearts departure regret
Despite playing in several countries, Abiola identified his time at Hearts as the period he looks back on with the greatest sense of unfinished business.
The former Nigerian striker admitted that he would have preferred to remain at the Edinburgh club for longer and believes he could have managed his departure better.
“Yeah, I wish I stayed with Heart of Midlothian, and I should have handled my departure with Hearts differently,” he said.
His comments suggest that the circumstances surrounding his exit remain a significant reflection point as he looks back on his career.
Although Abiola did not elaborate on the details of his departure, his admission highlights the difficult decisions players sometimes face during their careers, particularly when weighing up the possibility of remaining at a club where they believe they could have achieved more.
For Abiola, retirement marks the end of a long journey through European football, but his reflections on Hearts show that some career decisions continue to carry significance long after the final whistle.
After nearly 20 years as a professional, the former striker can look back on a career that took him across several leagues and countries, while acknowledging the choices he might have made differently along the way.
