Premier League players eye Millwall's Nigerian teenage centreback Chinwike Okoli

NIGERIAN-born central defender Chinwike Okoli has become the latest defensive sensation in England with several English Premier League clubs aiming to sign him in the forthcoming January transfer window.

Okoli, 18, is a six feet four centreback who is comfortable on the ball and renown for bringing the ball out of defence. Currently playing for Milwall in the English Championship, Okoli has already attracted the likes of Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Cardiff City and Fulham, who are all monitoring his progress.

On the books of Millwall since the age of 12, Okoli joined the Lions after he was scouted while playing grassroots football. He had attracted interest from Crystal Palace before the Lions won the race for his signature nut now, he is considered one for the future as his potential is now being realised.

Okoli has been identified as a potential academy player capable of forcing his way into Millwall's first team in the not too distant future and has been training with the senior squad over the last few months. Millwall intend on keeping Okoli at the club long term by signing him to his first professional contract ever since he was promoted to first team training.

Negotiations on a new deal have started but Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Cardiff City and Fulham have all inquired about him. There is a possibility that Okoli could be called up to represent Nigeria at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as he is yet to be capped by England at youth level.