Nigeria-eligible striker joins Southampton on pro terms after trialing at Chelsea, Man Utd

English Premier League side Southampton have pulled off a major transfer coup by luring promising Nigeria-eligible striker Princewill Ehibhatiomhan to the St. Mary's Stadium. 

The Saints confirmed though their official website on Friday that Ehibhatiomhan has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with Southampton. 

Ehibhatiomhan has inked a deal that will keep him at Southampton until at least the end of the 2024-2025 season.

The 2005-born player had been searching for a new club after turning down a new contract at Championship outfit Reading, where his brother Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan plays. 

Princewill Ehibhatiomhan spent a portion of the pre-season at Chelsea, where he scored in friendly matches for the youth team against Leeds United and Coventry City, before heading to Southampton for another round of trials. 

The 17-year-old featured as a trialist for Manchester United U17 team in their 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in a Premier League Cup clash on November 23.

In his first words as a Southampton player, Ehibhatiomhan said to the club's official website : "It’s a great feeling, I’m really happy to be here and I’m excited. I really enjoyed [the trial period] the environment was good so it made the decision easier.

“I want to start playing for the team and score goals, work my way up and take opportunities as they come.”

Ehibhatiomhan started his career at Reading, where he progressed through the academy before making his U18s debut while still a schoolboy. 

He has proved his goalscoring credentials in the U18 Premier League with nine goals in sixteen matches and has already made his debuts in the Premier League 2 and FA Youth Cup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : southamptonfc.com

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