18yo midfielder Fapetu nearly scores a goal for the ages on full debut for Derby County 

Talented Nigerian midfielder Bayo Fapetu was one of the standout performers on his full debut for Derby County's first team as they registered a 4-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s in a Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash at Pride Park. 

Fapetu signed a pre-scholarship deal with the Rams in February 2021 and the deal was upgraded to a scholarship approximately four months later. 

The Rams pulled off a transfer coup luring Fapetu to Pride Park, beating several English clubs to the signature of the Hale End Academy product, who was on the books of Arsenal for a decade. 

Against Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s, Fapetu was one of the three youngsters making their first starts for Derby County, the others being Dajaune Brown, Darren Robinson.

Wearing the number 42 on the back of his jersey, the 18-year-old midfielder looked bright in the opening ten minutes as he got past a couple of players and had the first real chance of the game but fired over from 25 yards out. 

In the thirteenth minute, he met a set piece with a glancing header but his effort went wide of the target. 

Fapetu nearly scored a goal for the ages in the 34th minute when he attempted to lob Dan Bentley from near the halfway line but the Wolves goalkeeper managed to backpedal and tipped the ball over for a corner.

A James Collins' hat-trick and an additional tally from Tony Weston earned the Rams a win.

Fapetu, who signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2023, was replaced in the 79th minute. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: cpfc.co.uk

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