Revealed: AS Trencin beat Euro clubs to the signing of Nigerian wonderkid Aliyu Abdullahi

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Slovak Niké Liga outfit AS Trencin pulled off a transfer coup to land Nigerian wonderkid Aliyu Abdullahi, who has been nicknamed Agüero in his homeland. 

Talent spotters representing French Ligue 1 outfit Monaco, Dutch Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen and five-time Bundesliga champions Borussia Mönchengladbach monitored him at close quarters during a scouting programme organized by GBS Academy and his name was at the top of their list of players. 

There were claims that Abdullahi could have ended up joining Ajax Amsterdam but a transfer did not materialize.  

Abdullahi first came into national reckoning in 2021 at the tender age of 16, starring as Nasarawa United reached the Aiteo Cup final, where they were beaten on penalties by Bayelsa United. 

The Golden Boot Soccer Academy product has often played above his age group - he's on record as being one of the youngest-ever players to feature in the Nigerian top flight. 

Initially, Abdullahi's parents did not want him to take football seriously before he was poached by Golden Boot Soccer Academy at the age of 12, where his talents were nurtured. 

Nasarawa United recruitment team were impressed with what they saw after watching him at the academy and recommended his signing on loan from GBS in the 2020-2021 season at the age of 15.

In his first season at Nasarawa United, the coaches gradually introduced him into the first-team fold by handing him cameo appearances off the bench, before unleashing him fully the following season.

Abdullahi's best qualities are his speed and trademark runs on the flanks, which proved a handful for NPFL defences. 

Nigeria U20 coach Ladan Bosso wanted to build his team around Abdullahi but an unfortunate injury prevented him from representing the Flying Eagles at the 2023 AFCON and the World Cup in Argentina. 

Having made a name for himself in his homeland, Abdullahi will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of GBS Academy products Moses Simon and Samuel Kalu who starred for AS Trencin before moving on to bigger things. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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