Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Aston Villa have beaten several Premier League sides to the signature of Nigerian prospect Iffy Udanoh.

The 2003-born player has been offered a scholarship deal by Aston Villa following a successful trial.

A central defender by trade, Udanoh trialed at Liverpool, West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers before he agreed terms with the Premier League newcomers, and had attracted interest from five other clubs.

He was playing for non-league club Erith and Belvedere prior to his switch to Aston Villa.

On Wednesday, the center back was part of the Aston Villa U17 side that lost 3-2 to Manchester United in a friendly.

Udanoh will be aiming to sign his first professional contract at Aston Villa before the end of the 2020-2021 season and hopes to break into their U18 side as soon as possible.

In their latest U18 Premier League match, Aston Villa lost 5-1 to an Arsenal side containing three players of Nigerian descent Mazeed Ogungbo, Miguel Azeez and Ryan Alebiosu.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel