Francis Onyeka: Boniface's potential heir at Bayer Leverkusen wins top German youth award

Bayer Leverkusen teenage sensation Francis Onyeka has been awarded the most prestigious individual award in German youth football by the German Football Association.

The official website of the DFB informed on Friday, October 18 that Onyeka has been awarded the Fritz Walter Medal, following his exceptional performances and commitment to Germany youth team.

Established in 2005, the award is named after Fritz Walter, captain of West Germany's 1954 World Cup-winning squad.

Previous players of Nigerian descent who have won the award in the past include Super Eagles central defender Kevin Akpoguma (2013) and Karim Adeyemi (2019).

Onyeka is seen as a potential heir to Victor Boniface at Bayer Leverkusen, given he is capable of playing in different attacking roles, similar to the Super Eagles star. 

The dual-national forward showed he's one to keep an eye on during the U17 European Championship qualifiers last autumn, scoring five goals in six appearances.

Considered one of the most promising talents at Bayer Leverkusen, Onyeka has received three call-ups for first team games but has yet to make his senior debut.

The Gummersbach native has been playing for Bayer Leverkusen since the age of seven, after joining from  SC Borussia Lindenthal-Hohenlind.

Onyeka committed his future to the Bundesliga champions last November by putting pen to paper on a new deal until the end of the 2026-2027 season. 

The 2007-born player has scored in each of his first three appearances for Germany U18 national team. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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