A towering teenage striker from Sagamu has caught the eye of Nottingham Forest, and British newspapers are already reaching for Erling Haaland comparisons.
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Nottingham Forest are weighing up a move for Nigerian teenager Abdoulaye Agbejoye, with British sporting media already dubbing the towering striker the “next Erling Haaland” as scouting interest intensifies around the 18 year old.
The UK’s Sun Sports reported that Forest scouts have been closely monitoring Agbejoye’s progress, describing him as one of the brightest young talents to emerge from African football this year. The comparisons to Haaland stem largely from his physical profile, standing at 6ft 5in with an explosive burst of pace and a sharp eye for goal.
That reputation was built at Grassrunners FC of Sagamu, where Agbejoye finished the recent Nigeria Youth League Cup season as both top scorer and Player of the Tournament, netting 19 goals in 20 matches despite Grassrunners falling 2-0 to Sporting Supreme FC in the Super 8 final. It’s the kind of individual output that tends to get noticed well beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Forest are currently regarded as leading the race for his signature, though nothing concrete has yet been finalised. Bayer Leverkusen of Germany have also registered interest, giving Agbejoye options on both sides of the Channel as his stock continues to rise. Fans following the youngster’s progress can check Bet9ja’s current promo code as the transfer saga develops.
His rise has already reached international level too. Agbejoye earned a call-up to Nigeria’s U20 squad and featured for the Flying Eagles at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Cote d’Ivoire, coming off the bench in the semifinal against the hosts and calmly converting the decisive spot kick as Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Forest are reportedly leaning on the presence of fellow Nigerians Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina in their current squad as part of their pitch to convince Agbejoye to choose the City Ground over other suitors. New Bet9ja users following Nigerian prospects abroad can check how to get the Bet9ja promotion code before the transfer window closes.
Behind the scenes, Grassrunners FC have built a structured pathway designed for exactly this kind of outcome. The club, coached by Daniel Itodo and backed by a management team that includes two former internationals, has set itself the target of placing 30 academy products in Europe’s top five leagues by 2030, and Agbejoye’s emergence is being treated internally as an early proof of concept.
Whether the move to Forest materialises or not, the level of coverage already surrounding an 18 year old playing in Nigeria’s third tier league says plenty about how far scouting networks now reach into the country’s grassroots football scene. Punters tracking rising Nigerian talent can check Bet9ja’s YOHAIG code as more details emerge on the potential transfer.
For now, Agbejoye remains one step from completing a move that would take him from a Sagamu academy pitch to the Premier League, with British newspapers already building the hype well ahead of any deal being confirmed.
📌 Did You Know?
- Grassrunners FC play their home matches at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
- The club’s stated goal is to place 30 of its academy products in Europe’s top five leagues by 2030.
- Agbejoye scored the decisive penalty as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles beat hosts Cote d’Ivoire 4-3 on penalties in the WAFU B U20 semifinal.
- At 6ft 5in, Agbejoye stands taller than Erling Haaland, who is listed at 6ft 4in.
- Nottingham Forest already have two Nigerian internationals on their books in Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina.
- Grassrunners FC is led by chief executive Gbenga Agbejoye, alongside executive director Victor Adeola and technical director Bastian Sistemich.
- Grassrunners finished runners-up in this year’s National Youth League Cup Super 8 after losing 2-0 to Sporting Supreme FC of Abuja in the final.
