Hafiz Ibrahim has journeyed from selling watermelons in Kano, Nigeria, to the brink of football stardom following update he will pen a deal with Chelsea FC.
The 18-year-old striker’s dream of playing professional football is about to become a reality as Chelsea has informed Ojodu City FC of their intention to sign him after a successful trial in April..
Italan transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Ibrahim is set to join Chelsea, with a potential loan move to Strasbourg in Ligue 1. However, there is also a possibility that Chelsea may retain him in their roster for the upcoming season.
Born in Kano, Ibrahim gained global attention after emerging as the top scorer with 10 goals at the 2024 Viareggio Cup in Italy, where his team, Ojodu City FC, reached the semifinals. Despite receiving offers from clubs like Bodo/Glimt, he opted for Chelsea after being approached by their scouting director and star player Raheem Sterling.
A decisive moment came when he scored a hat trick in front of club owner Todd Boehly, solidifying his place in the team.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Ojodu City FC have been ongoing, with the transfer fee initially set at two million pounds but eventually negotiated down to 1.5 million pounds. However, final details are still being ironed out to ensure that all clubs involved in Ibrahim’s development receive their due compensation.
Following the conclusion of his trial, Ibrahim briefly returned to Nigeria before heading back to London to await the finalization of the deal. His visit to Nigeria was kept private to avoid distractions before his big move.
