Tunji Akinola Poised To Follow In The Footsteps Of West Ham Wonderkid Reece Oxford

Promising Nigerian defender Tunji Akinola is destined for great things at West Ham and is set to follow in the footsteps of England U19 international Reece Oxford.

With Oxford and Republic of Ireland U21 international Josh Cullens, who both skippered the Hammers development squad last season presently with the first team, Akinola has worn the captain’s armband in their absence.

The central defender was handed the armband when he was introduced against Chelmsford City, and also led his teammates in their entertaining 3-3 draw with PEC Zwolle in a warmup game held in Netherlands on Wednesday.

Akinola made his debut for West Ham U21s at the age of 16 in their 2-1 win over Fulham in February 2015, lasting 90 minutes on the Rush Green Stadium turf, and played 18 games for U18s over the course of the 2014-2015 season.

Last season, he partnered Reece Oxford in central defense in a couple of matches he played for the development squad.

The stopper was rewarded with a professional contract towards the end of the 2015-2016 campaign.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : whufc.com