Southampton’s rising star Nicholas Oyekunle has matched Chido Obi’s record as the all-time top scorer in the U18 Premier League after finding the net in a 3-0 victory over Reading. The 18 year old Nigerian forward converted a penalty early in the second half to notch his 37th league goal, equalling Obi’s milestone.
Oyekunle’s strike adds to a sensational season in which he has scored 26 goals in just 22 appearances, helping propel Southampton’s U18 side to second place in the South Division standings only two points behind Aston Villa. With one match remaining, he not only has the chance to help his team snatch the title but also to claim the U18 Premier League goal record outright.
Chido Obi, a Manchester United striker, had set the record in November 2024 when he surpassed Ellis Simms with a goal against Stoke City. Now, Oyekunle stands on the brink of history, needing just one more goal in the final game against Leicester City this Saturday to take sole possession of the record.
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In previous campaigns, Oyekunle showed steady progress, scoring seven times last season and four in 2022–23. His development has now culminated in a potentially record-breaking season.
Editorial
We are witnessing something special in Nicholas Oyekunle a young striker not just breaking through but threatening to rewrite the record books of youth football in England. To match Chido Obi’s total of 37 goals in the U18 Premier League is no small feat. But what makes this moment even more thrilling is that he’s done it in such dominant fashion this season alone.
Twenty-six goals in 22 matches tells us everything we need to know. This is a forward with lethal finishing, calmness under pressure, and a strong sense of timing attributes that often take years to develop. What makes his case more compelling is the steady year on year growth he has shown. He didn’t explode out of nowhere he built up to this moment.
Now, the focus turns to his next steps. Will Southampton fast-track him into their senior setup, or will he draw interest from clubs higher up the football pyramid? Either way, the pressure must be managed with care. Nigerian football has seen its fair share of youth talents derail before their prime. Oyekunle’s story must be handled with long-term planning and strong mentorship.
But beyond club ambitions, this is also a golden opportunity for the Nigerian national setup. With dual-eligible players increasingly snapped up by other nations, the Nigeria Football Federation must act swiftly and strategically. Oyekunle is more than a stat-sheet hero he could be the future of the Super Eagles attack if nurtured correctly.
Saturday’s game is about more than just a record. It’s about writing the next chapter in a young career already brimming with promise.
Did You Know?
- The U18 Premier League was launched in 2012 as part of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) to develop youth talent in England.
- Ellis Simms, who held the previous U18 goal record, now plays professionally for Coventry City in the EFL Championship.
- Nicholas Oyekunle was part of Southampton’s 2022 youth intake that included several players from Nigeria’s diaspora.
- Southampton’s academy has produced several Premier League stars, including Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, and James Ward-Prowse.
- The U18 Premier League South is one of two regional divisions; the top teams from each play a national final to determine the overall champion.
