Hafiz Ibrahim Explains Why He Turned Down Chelsea Move Despite Raheem Sterling’s Advice
Young Nigerian striker Hafiz Ibrahim has revealed why he chose not to join Premier League club Chelsea, even after being encouraged by England star Raheem Sterling.
The 19-year-old made headlines last year after scoring 10 goals in just six matches at the famous Viareggio Cup in Italy. His impressive form caught the eye of several clubs across Europe, including teams in Norway.
Chelsea showed strong interest, and Ibrahim even travelled to London for a trial after receiving a video call from Raheem Sterling.
What Ibrahim Said About Chelsea
“Sterling is a great person,” Ibrahim told The Punch. “He was really supportive. He told me Chelsea would be a good place to develop as a player. He also said I should stay focused and make the most of the opportunity.”
“It meant a lot to hear those words from someone like him. I was very close to signing, but in the end, I felt it wasn’t the right time. It was a hard choice, but I believe it was the right one for me.”
Why He Chose Reims Instead
Despite the excitement of possibly playing in the Premier League, Ibrahim said he felt a move to Chelsea was too big too soon.
“My decision was based on a few things — mainly, I didn’t feel ready for such a big step,” he explained. “Chelsea is a massive club, and I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared for that level. I didn’t want to rush. Timing is everything in football, and it’s important to be honest with yourself. I learned a lot from the experience and I’m thankful for it.”
Instead, Ibrahim joined French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims, a club known for helping young players grow.
“Reims has a good history and they focus on young talent, which really appealed to me,” he said. “From the beginning, the coach and staff made me feel welcome. I believe this is the right place for me to improve and move forward in my career.”
Since joining Reims, Ibrahim has scored nine goals in nine matches for the club’s B team and has also registered one goal and two assists in seven senior appearances.
