Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi on Wednesday said it retained the 21 players, who participated in the 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The club Media Officer, Bala Kurba,disclosed in Bauchi that 18 new players had also been signed.
According to Kurba, the club retained Bala Nkiyu as the Technical Adviser, while Bwasit Mangut continues as the Chief Coach.
Some of the newly signed players include Ishaq Giwa, Mustapha Abdullahi, Nafiu Kabuga, Bala Zakka, Rabiu Musa and Ibrahim Pius, who moved from Gombe United and Katsina United.
The last four players joined the Bauchi-based club from Kano Pillars.
Kurba said that Bature Yare, Chinedu Iroko, Ezekiel Thompson and Sadiq Abubakar were signed from Nasarawa United, Heartland, Warri Wolves and Golden Sports Academy, Jos) respectively.
He said that the club had dropped 10 of its former players, while two others left on their own.
Kurba, who is also the state Vice-Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Bauchi Chapter, said that the club had paid the players’ sign-on fees, and started receiving their salaries from November.
He expressed confidence that the bunch of talented players in the team would put the club in a better position to compete favourably for the league shield this season, and reclaim the continental ticket.
According to him, the management is ready to work with stakeholders, particularly the media, to project the good image of the team and Bauchi State.
“I, therefore, solicit the support of the members of SWAN through positive contributions toward the success of the club,” he said.
