Meet Odeluga Offiah, latest Nigeria-eligible English Premier League debutant
Brighton and Hove Albion manger Roberto De Zerbi handed Nigeria-eligible defender Odeluga Offiah his English Premier League debut at the City Ground on Wednesday night.
In this report, SPORTSRATION introduces the youngster who joins the list of players with Nigerian roots that have graced the Worlds most followed football league.
WHEN AND WHERE WAS ODELUGA BORN
Odeluga Joshua Offiah was born on 26 October 2002 in Camden, England to Nigerian Parents.
THE OFFIAH`S
His family has spent decades in England. Odeluga`s Uncle Martin Offiah MBE is a former England Rugby player. One who enjoyed significant success in Rugby to earn a hall of fame induction and a English Honours award, MBE.
ODELUGA`S FOOTBALL CAREER
Bromley Academy is credited for the defenders basic development in football. Odeluga moved from Bromley to Brighton academy in 2017.
With the Seagulls, Offiah impressed with the youth teams enough to earn a senior debut during a Caraboa Cup match in August 2021.
Offiah was sent on for his senior debut in the 2-0 win over Cardiff City by then Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter in place of Taylor Richards.
His next senior appearance came in the FA Cup second round win over West Bromwich Albion on January 8. The 20-year old was named from the start for the game and his excellent performance was rewarded with a new contract on January 31.
On Wednesday April 26, 2023 the defender came off the bench for his English Premier league debut as replacement for Facuno Buonanotte in the 88th minute of Brighton`s 3-1 loss to relegation battling Nottingham Forest.
Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi started the game for Nottingham Forest but was taken off 7-minutes before Odeluga`s introduction.
INTERNATIONAL FUTURE
Odeluga is reportedly interested in representing his fatherland Nigeria ahead of England as declared by his representatives when he was offered for Golden Eaglets invitation in 2019.
The young defender has no International appearances at Youth level yet.
If he develops into a regular at Brighton, then Nigeria and England will drag for who gets his commitment.
Until then, keep a check on the boy Odeluga Offiah as one of Nigeria-eligible players in the English Premier League.
