Leeds United are setting up a deal for Nigeria Professional Football League’s Ikorodu City left-back Leonard Ngenge after the 16-year-old had a trial in Yorkshire during the summer transfer window, according to the Sun.
However, the Elland Road club will have to wait a couple of years to sign him as the Nigerian is barred from making any move until he is 18 under FIFA rules.
Swedish top-flight club Hammarby are also keen on Ngenge, and more clubs will surely join Leeds in the race for the teenage sensation with a view of snapping him up once he comes of age.
Leeds and other clubs in the Premier League and Championship were granted the freedom to directly sign young players aged 18 and above from Nigeria and other countries in Africa, Asia and North America without needing prior national team involvement or work permits.
The Home Office approved new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) Criteria for international player visas last June, and they became effective from the opening of the 2023 summer transfer window.
The Whites will hope to land the Nigerian kid going forward and will continue to keep tabs on him, and promotion to the Premier League will boost their chances.
Ngenge made the ValueJet Cup 2024 Team of the tournament after winning seven of nine attempted aerial duels, 18 interceptions and completing 17 of 20 attempted progressive passes.
📊@IkoroduCityFC Leonard Ngenge TOTT, what a player! Even more impressive if we consider the numbers he put up across the group stage of the tournament.
Aeriel Duels 7/9
Interceptions 18
Progressive passes 17/20His ability in the air and on the ground + good passing range 🌟 https://t.co/lVaOjguxMl pic.twitter.com/epKGnLiHVn
— 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 (@couragefgs) August 7, 2024
He has the potential to become a Premier League star in a few years from now, and pipping competition to his services will be huge for Leeds.
The Whites ended the summer transfer window with the additions of Isaac Schmidt, Ao Tanaka, Alex Cairns, Joe Rothwell, Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani, Joe Rondon and Jayden Bogle to their squad, and manager Daniel Farke will fancy their chances of sealing automatic English top-flight promotion this term after the blow from last term.
