Southampton boss running the rule over Super Eagles hopeful in pre-season

Published: July 26, 2021

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl has promoted versatile Nigerian defender Oludare Olufunwa to first team training.

The 19-year-old trained with the Southampton first teamers last week and participated in the pre-season friendly against Fulham on Saturday, coming off the bench for the last thirteen minutes.

Saints boss Hasenhüttl was without Poland center-back Jan Bednarek at the start of pre-season and Denmark star Jannik Vestergaard has yet to report for club duties after his participation in the 2020 European Championship.

It is believed that Olufunwa was called up to the first team to make up the numbers due to his ability to play as a central defender - his original position before he was converted to a right-back by the Southampton youth team coaches.

The talented teenager somehow fell off the radar last season, making only four appearances in the Premier League 2 after recovering from a long-term injury.

Born in Southampton to an English mom and Nigerian father, Olufunwa is hoping to represent the Super Eagles in future.

He has played nonstop for Southampton since 2010, joining the South Coast club after he was spotted playing for a local team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com

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