Arsenal loanee Balogun reveals he trained with Tottenham, looked up to Ronaldo as a kid

Folarin Balogun has revealed that he once trained with Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal simultaneously.

Balogun said that both North London clubs offered him a trial, with his father making use of both options. However Arsenal presented an offer and he joined the Hale End Academy.

Balogun, who is currently on a season-long loan at Stade de Reims, had a terrific run during his time with the youth teams of Arsenal, scoring  75 goals and assisted 18 in 103 appearances combined for the U18s and U21s in the league. 

"My dad got a phone call from Tottenham. They were also offering me one (a trial). We hesitated because Arsenal were meant to give us a decision soon.

"In the end, my dad was taking me to Arsenal training on Monday, Thursday and Friday, and the others days of the week, I was training with Tottenham.

"It was intense because as well as playing for the two teams, I was going to school, of course. Everything ended well since Arsenal eventually offered me to sign, and we accepted, " Balogun told the official website of Ligue 1 .

The Nigeria-eligible forward revealed that he grew up looking up to Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario. 

"So, I was a big football fan but I didn't support any particular team. Me, it was especially Ronaldo the Brazilian."

With eight goals and an assist in 14 Ligue 1 games, Balogun has shown that he can be trusted by his parent club Arsenal.

The England U21 international's deal with the Gunners expires in the summer of 2025.

Toyosi Afolayan

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