Tottenham-owned LB of Nigerian descent misses out on Golden Boy to Barcelona whizkid

Tottenham Hotspur-owned left-back of Nigerian descent Destiny Udogie has missed out on the prestigious Golden Boy, awarded by Italian sports daily Tuttosport to the best U21 player on the books of a European top-flight club. 

The Udinese defender and nineteen other talented youngsters made it to the final round after eighty candidates were eliminated. 

Today, Tuttosport named Barcelona midfielder Gavi as the winner of the Golden Boy, four days after he took home the Kopa Trophy at the 2022 Ballon d'Or gala

The 18-year-old is the third Barcelona player to win the Golden Boy, following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi (2005) and Pedri (2021).

Gavi fought off competition from Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich's cap-tied Germany international of Nigerian descent Jamal Musiala to land the award. 

Udogie joined Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window but was immediately loaned to Udinese to continue his development.

The Italy U21 international had a breakout season at Udinese last campaign with five goals and three assists across thirty-seven appearances in all competitions, and has picked up where he left off by netting two goals in nine league matches this term. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : tottenhamhotspur.com

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