Nigeria striker John Utaka hopes his goal scoring exploits at the African Nations Cup will earn him a chance to join colleagues Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu in the English Premiership.
The 22-year-old, whose cool finish gave Nigeria their 2-1 quarter-final win over defending champions Cameroon, believes he is ready to step up from the French first division where he currently plays with Lens.
"If there is one league that I would want to move to, it is the English Premiership," said Utaka whose other goal at the tournament came in the group win against Benin.
"I really love the speed and the pace of the game. When I watch English football, I am really excited by it and would love to play there if I got the opportunity."
Utaka has been used as a striker by coach Christian Chukwu following the expulsion from the Nigerian squad of frontline attackers Yakubu Ayegbeni and Victor Agali for breaking a curfew.
Before that he played in midfield.
"I prefer functioning as a striker but I will play in whatever role that the coach puts me in," Utaka told the BBC here.