HJK Sign Former Golden Eaglets Midfielder Qurib Adetola
Finland’s record league champions have moved for the 18 year old attacking midfielder straight out of Derby Football Academy, with an agreement running through 2027 and an option for 2028.
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HJK, the most decorated club in Finnish football, have added a young Nigerian prospect to their ranks, confirming the signing of former Golden Eaglets midfielder Qurib Adetola on their official website.
Adetola joins from Derby Football Academy in Nigeria, where he spent his entire academy career before making the move to European football. The 18 year old is naturally an attacking midfielder or winger, and the club described him as compact, technically sharp in tight spaces, and diligent defensively for a player in his position.
HJK’s sports director Petri Vuorinen said Adetola’s timing was ideal, arriving in Europe just after turning 18, and added that the teenager still has room to grow into his pace as his development continues.
He has already started training with HJK’s reserve side, Klubi 04, since mid-June, and is eligible to make his debut in the Ykkosliiga, Finland’s second tier, against Jippo on July 11.
Adetola was part of the Golden Eaglets squad that competed at the 2024 WAFU B U17 Championship in Accra, Ghana, one of several youth tournaments that have helped him build his international profile before this move.
Did You Know?
- HJK are the most successful club in Finnish football history, with a record 33 league titles.
- The club was founded in 1907 and has spent the majority of its existence in Finland’s top flight.
- HJK play their home matches at the 10,770 seat Toolo Football Stadium, their home ground since 2000.
- Adetola’s contract with HJK runs until the end of 2027, with an option to extend into the 2028 season.
- He will initially play for HJK’s reserve team, Klubi 04, in Finland’s second tier Ykkosliiga.
- Adetola spent his entire youth career at Derby Football Academy in Nigeria before this move.
- He represented Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets at the 2024 WAFU B U17 Championship held in Accra, Ghana.