Who Is Ali Koiki? Five Things To Know About Nigerian Defender Named In Burnley 18 Vs Peterborough United

Published: January 04, 2020

Burnley's Nigerian defender, Ali Koiki made the match day 18 for the Premier League side the first time this season in their Emirates FA Cup clash with Peterborough on Saturday afternoon, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The 20-year-old had his teething years with the youth team of Crystal Palace before he was released at the age of eleven.

Below are five things you must know about the youngster on the cusp of his senior debut for the Clarets,

1) Koiki is eligible to represent the Nigerian teams through his father's links with the West African country while he can also turn out for his country of birth England.

2) He is comfortable playing as a left back, while he can also play further forward as a wing-back, according to his erstwhile manager at Swindon Town, Richie Wellens.

3) Before now, he has made Premier League match day squads against Arsenal and West Ham in December 2018, but was not handed playing time by manager Sean Dyche in both games.

4) He made his senior debut as a pro in League Two for Swindon Town when he replaced Matthew Taylor in the 67th minute of a 2-2 draw with Lincoln City.

5)He inked his first professional contract with Burnley in April 2018, signing a one-year deal with the option of an additional season built in.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : burnleyfootballclub.com