EFL League Two club Grimsby Town have handed a trial to former Nigeria U17 trainee Jason Akiotu, with a view to offering him a contract.

Akiotu fell off the radar following his departure from Crystal Palace last season, and had tried his luck with National League club Aldershot Town F.C. in July 2017.

Grimsby Town coaches observed him at close quarters during the Central League Cup game at Mansfield Town .

Born in Croydon 19 years ago, Akiotu was on the books of Crystal Palace for  about eight years before he ended his association with the Eagles in February.

The left fullback was invited to train with the Golden Eaglets ahead of the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup.

He has cited Bayern Munich's Austria international of Nigerian parentage David Alaba as his footballing role model.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel