Teenage rightback Tosin Olopade signs two-and-half year contract with Premier League side Burnley

NIGERIAN teenage sensation Tosin Olopade has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with English Premier League side Burnley putting paper to his first European professional football contract.

Right fullback Olopade, 17, came through the ranks of Nigeria's the Pulse Academy and several English clubs have been in his case. Championship side Middlesbrough for instance, were hoping to snap him up but the deal was taking too long, allowing Burnley to come in and conclude the matter tight under their noses.

In recent years, Boro have made some shrewd signings, snapping up among others, Nigerian youngsters Sam Folarin and Toyosi Olusanya, who all joined from non-league teams. They had been hoping that Olopade could have followed a similar path but delays have meant he has looked elsewhere.

Burnley who beat the likes of Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town and Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon to the signing of the teenager,  now have Olopade under contract until June 2024. Reports have compared him with Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, describing him as very quick and difficult to beat in one-on-one situations.

Olopade will join up with Burnley’s development squad or U18s with the hope of making the first-team in the not too distant future. At the moment, Olopade is eligible to represent Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland at international level.