Official: Nigeria-eligible defender named 2022-2023 Chelsea Academy Scholar of the Year

Nigeria-eligible defender Somto Boniface has been named Chelsea Academy Scholar of the Year for the 2022-2023 season, informs the official website of the Blues. 

Boniface has been recognized for his outstanding displays for Chelsea U18s in the recently concluded academy season.

The Anglo-Nigerian left-back started fifteen out of a possible twenty-two games in the U18 Premier League southern section, helping Chelsea finish fourth in the standings. 

Only central defender Harrison Murray-Campbell started more league games than Boniface in Chelsea's U18 squad. 

Boniface started the 2022-2023 campaign as a first year scholar before signing his first professional contract in March 2023 upon turning 17 years old, 

On the international stage, the promising fullback was named in the Young Lions squad to the 2023 European U17 Championship, where he started the group games against Croatia and Switzerland.

He joined Chelsea at U9 level, progressing through the academy ranks before making his competitive debut for the U18s in his final season as a schoolboy. 

Apart from Boniface, five other players of Nigerian descent - Saheed Olagunju, Louis Flower, Chinonso Chibueze, Tyrique George and Tudor Mendel-Idowu - played official games for Chelsea U18s in 2022-2023.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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