16yo Nigerian central defender set to join Anjorin, Ebuehi, Ekong at Empoli

Sweden underage international of Nigerian descent, Kennedy Okpaleke has made a decision on his future. 

According to Italian transfer market portal, Tuttomercatoweb, Empoli will add a new defender to their youth team in the coming hours. 

The 16-year-old Okpaleke has already completed a medical examination ahead of his imminent transfer to Empoli. 

A right-footed central defender, he tried his luck at Swedish Allsvenskan giants IFK Goteborg last month, but has opted to join Empoli instead. 

In the 2024 season, the promising centre-back wore the colours of Swedish Division 2 club Lindome GIF, where he made fourteen appearances in the league, including eight starts. 

Although he has two caps for Sweden at U17 level, Okpaleke is eligible to represent the Golden Eaglets immediately without filing a change of association request with Fifa, as the matches were only friendlies.

If his deal with Empoli goes through as expected, Okpaleke will aim to follow in the footsteps of Super Eagles fullback Tyronne Ebuehi, Chelsea academy graduate Faustino Anjorin, and Emmanuel Ekong, the son of former Nigeria international Prince Ekong, all of whom have made first-team appearances for the Blues.

Ebuehi has not figured for club and country since March 2024 due to an anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in a Serie A meeting with Bologna. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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