Burnley's Teenage Nigerian Defender Inching Closer To Debut, Makes 18 Vs West Ham & Arsenal

Published: December 30, 2018

Teenage Nigerian defender Ali Koiki is inching closer to making his professional debut for Premier League club Burnley, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The 1999-born left back was named in the Clarets match day squad in their 2-0 win against West Ham in a Premier League tie at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon.

Regarded as one of the most promising players of Nigerian descent in England, Koiki was also a non-playing substitute as Burnley were beaten 3-1 by Arsenal on December 22, the first time in his young career he made the 18 for a Premier League match.

Koiki trained with League Two club Grimsby Town in July 2018 with a view to a loan deal but The Mariners failed to agree terms with Burnley.

The 19-year-old joined Burnley in 2016 following a successful trial and previously had a stint with the youth team of Crystal Palace.

He penned his first professional contract with Burnley in April 2018, signing a one-year deal with the option of an additional season built in.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : burnleyfootballclub.com