Exclusive: Highly-Rated Nigerian Winger Parts Company With Chelsea

Published: November 30, 2019

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that Nigeria U17 invitee Adrian Akande has parted company with English Premier League club Chelsea.

The leadership of The Blues opted not to offer a scholarship to the highly-rated winger because he made it clear from the word go that he wasn't interested in extending his stay at Stamford Bridge.

A member of the Golden Eaglets squad to the 2019 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Akande joined Chelsea from another London club, Crystal Palace at the age of twelve.

The 16-year-old is definitely not lacking suitors as he has trained with West Ham, Glasgow Rangers and German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim in recent weeks.

He contributed to 52 goals (30 goals, 22 assists) in 42 appearances for Chelsea's youth teams last season before linking up with the Nigeria squad in March.

Akande made his debut in the Premier League 2 against Newcastle United in August 2019 at the age of 15.

Described as two-footed, very quick and strong on the ball, he has been likened to Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel