Official : One-Time Youngest Player To Represent Super Eagles At World Cup Joins Kerala Blasters

Published: June 07, 2019

Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters have pulled off a transfer coup by landing former Nigeria international Bartholomew Ogbeche.

Ogbeche put himself in the shop window after netting 12 goals in 19 matches for NorthEast United last season to emerge as the second highest goalscorer in the ISL.

Aged 17 years, 8 months and 1 day, he became the youngest player to represent Nigeria at the World Cup when he stepped out onto the Kashima Soccer Stadium turf as the Super Eagles were beaten 1-0 by Argentina in the 2002 edition, before the record was broken by Femi Opabunmi 10 days later on June 12.

Ogbeche began his career with French club Paris Saint-Germain after he was promoted from their academy team.

He has also played for Bastia, Metz, Al-Jazira, Valladolid, Cadiz and Kavala, and had a spell with Middlesbrough during the 2011-12 season before joining Xerez, Cambuur, Willem II and NorthEast United in that order.

Ogbeche reunites with Eelco Schattorie, who coached NorthEast United last term.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel