French club Lille OSC, who will compete in the UEFA Champions League this season, have officially secured the signing of Nigerian teenage sensation Ayodele Adeshina from Beyond Limits Academy.
Adeshina is considered one of Nigeria’s brightest young talents, and big things are expected from the youngster.
There was significant interest in the teenager, especially from Belgium, with Anderlecht keen on signing him, and Dutch side PSV Eindhoven also inquiring about him.
Lille snap up exciting young Nigerian forward Ayodele Adeshina
However, he chose Lille to start his European adventure.
The exciting 18-year-old forward has now penned a five-year deal with the former French league winners, keeping him at the club until 2029.
Adeshina will feel at home in Lille, joining a list of illustrious Nigerians such as Victor Osimhen, Osaze Odemwingie, and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who have all donned the club’s colors.
The forward featured prominently for Beyond Limits at the popular Viareggio Cup in Italy, a youth tournament that they won, becoming the first African team to do so.
He scored five goals to lead his team to the title, with his performances catching the eye of several European clubs, sparking a race for his signature.
Ayodele Adeshina to follow in former teammate's footsteps
Adeshina was also instrumental in helping Beyond Limits gain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
At the NNL play-offs in Enugu, he scored in the final, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Beyond Limits, the youth side of NPFL team Remo Stars, then saw off Nasarawa United 4-2 on penalties to win the title.
He now follows in the footsteps of Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, who also joined a European club from Beyond Limits. Akinsanmiro signed with Inter Milan and is currently on loan at Sampdoria in Serie B.
