According to a recent report by AllNigeriaSoccer.com (via the Birmingham Mail), Liverpool have missed out on the race to secure the services of Nigerian defensive ace Iffy Udanoh after Aston Villa agreed to sign the player on a two-year deal. The same source has revealed that the Villans have beaten a whole host of Premier League teams which includes the Reds along with Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United in pursuit of the Nigerian whizkid.
It is believed that four other English sides were also interested, but the West Midlands outfit have snapped Udanoh up on a two-year contract after he had a successful trial with the club earlier this summer (via AllNigeriaSoccer.com).
Iffy Udanoh’s Growing Stock In Nigerian Youth Football
The 16-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in African football. He has been likened to Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk as he has a similar playing style to the Dutch defender. Udanoh’s impressive performances have earned him a call-up to link up with the Nigerian Under-17 team in the coming days.
The talented centre-back, who is an American passport holder and is eligible to represent England, is expected to join the Golden Eaglets at their pre-World Cup training camp in Abuja. Udanoh has previously played for the non-league outfit, Erith & Belvedere before his high-profile move to join the youth ranks of the Villans this summer.
What Does The Nigerian Prospect Offer On The Field?
Udanoh is a confident defender at the back who takes a no-nonsense approach to the game. He has a powerful frame which allows him to be dominant in the air and win a lot of 50-50 aerial duels against the opposition. As mentioned earlier, his playing style is quite similar to Van Dijk’s so Liverpool might regret missing out on the Nigerian starlet in the long-run.
Losing The Race To Sign Udanoh: Big Blow For The Reds?
There is no denying that Villa has pulled off a major coup as Udanoh has incredible potential to become a world-class player in his position someday. At 16, he has plenty of time to develop as a defender before he is ready to take on the challenge of regularly playing in the Premier League.
For now, Udanoh is a raw prospect with a promising future in English football. Therefore, missing out on the Nigerian teenager will feel like a hammer blow for Jurgen Klopp and his ambitions to establish long-term success at Merseyside.
