Owen Bosch Lopez: Spain ahead of Nigeria in race for services of Elche's left-footed goalkeeper

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that the Royal Spanish Football Federation are ahead of the Nigeria Football Federation in the race for the services of Elche's left-footed goalkeeper Owen Bosch Lopez.

Born in Valencia, the highly-rated teenager is eligible to play for Nigeria through his biological parents, according to his sister Valentine Bosch.

Lopez's impressive performances for Elche's youth teams have not gone unnoticed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, who invited him to attend an U17 training camp in December 2023. 

However, the shot-stopper has yet to make his competitive debut for Spain's youth teams, meaning he remains eligible to play for Nigeria without the need to file paperwork for a change of association.

A former Valencia youth teamer, he has been called up to the Valencian U12 and U14 regional teams in the past. 

He joined Elche from Ciutat de Xàtiva in the summer of 2022, rising through the ranks to make his professional debut in a Segunda Federación - Grupo III clash against Sant Andreu in March 2025.

Eder Sarabia, Elche's head coach, rates him highly and has already named him in three matchday squads this season, two for the Copa del Rey and one for La Liga2.

In 2019, Lopez made a name for himself at the LaLiga Promises tournament, emerging as one of the top prospects to watch in the future. 

He was promoted to Elche's Juvenil A squad before the start of the 2024-2025 season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: elchecf.es

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