Former Eagles striker Obafemi Martins arrives in the UK for surgery on his hamstring

FORMER Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has arrived in the UK for surgery after rupturing his hamstring in a recent Asian Champions League match while playing for his Chinese clubside Shanghai Shenhua.

Reknown for his pace, Martins, 33, was carried off early into the game last week after suffering the injury that is expected to keep him out of action for as much as seven months. A club spokesman confirmed that he has now been rushed to the UK for medical treatment on his right knee.

“Martins is flying to UK for surgery today. Be well soon,” the club wrote on its official Twitter handle.

Once one of the hottest properties in Europe, Martins, who played for  Newcastle United and Birmingham City in England,  also featured for Inter Milan during the height of his career. Shenhua were dumped out of the  Asian Champions League after a 2-2 draw with Japanese club Antlers at the Hongkou Stadium.

After leaving Europe, Martins played in the American Major Soccer League before heading to China. A former  Seattle Sounders attacker, he had scored  three league  goals for Shenhua this season, who are currently placed sixth in the Chinese Super League.