Porto trainee Chidera Ezeh marked his 17th birthday anniversary on Thursday in style, with his Portuguese club rejoicing with him by presenting him a birthday cake.

Born on October 2, 1997, the attacking midfielder can not sign professional terms with the Primeira Liga powerhouse until he clocks 18 next year, the same scenario that happened to another Nigerian youngster Mikel Agu when he first arrived the Estádio do Dragão.

Like Chidera Ezeh, Mikel was one of the best kept secrets at Porto, and was not officially registered with the club despite training with the first team.

The River Lane Academy product says he is assimilating what is being taught by the youth team coaches, and he is eager to start representing Porto in official matches.

“I’m so happy turning a year older today (yesterday, ed) because I can’t wait to show off what I have learnt so far when I turn 18 by His grace, ” said Chidera Ezeh to SL10.ng.

His representatives were in contact with Racing Genk, Grasshoppers, Olympiakos, Red Bull Salzburg and Roma before he signed a preliminary contract with Porto.