Midfielder eligible for Nigeria, Spain, India reveals approach from Tottenham, Fulham before Arsenal move

Talented central midfielder Zac Shuaib has revealed that he was approached by three London clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Leyton Orient plus East Anglian outfit Norwich City before he joined Arsenal's Hale End Academy at U15 level following a successful trial. 

Uncapped at international level, Shuaib is spoilt for choice over the national team to represent. 

The promising teenager qualifies to represent Nigeria through his father, Spain and India through his mother, and is also eligible to play for the Young Lions as he grew up in England. 

He started his footballing career at Chiswick Youth at the age of seven, before stints at London clubs Hanwell FC, Focus Football and London Colney Colts. 

Shuaib was invited to undergo trials at Tottenham Hotspur after putting himself in the shop window in a showcase game. 

Taking up the story, he told Arsenal's official website: "I first got scouted at 13 in a showcase game. This is where you pay a fee and you get to play in front of multiple scouts from different clubs around the country looking for talented young footballers.

"I played very well that day and was approached by several clubs, including Tottenham, Fulham, Norwich City and Leyton Orient. I decided to go on trial at Spurs.

"Due to the coronavirus lockdown, my trial was split into two parts. However, I’d say the lockdown helped me to focus and train properly.

"Every single day I was in my garden practicing hard and I used that period as an opportunity to develop my abilities.

"After the lockdown ended Spurs decided to officially sign me. I was only there for just over a year until we both decided that it’d be better if I moved on from the club."

Shuaib, who has cited Sergio Busquets as his role model, got signed up by Arsenal within the first five weeks of his trial with the Emirates outfit, shortly before his fifteenth birthday. 

This season, the first year scholar has appeared in four matches across all competitions for Arsenal U18s, including debuts in the U18 Premier League and U18 Premier League Cup. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: arsenal.com 

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