Hazeem Bakre: Lookman's cousin reveals why he chose Middlesbrough over Reading, Blackburn Rovers

Hazeem Bakre, who is Ademola Lookman's cousin, has confirmed that Football League clubs Reading and Blackburn Rovers had shown interest in him before he agreed a move to Middlesbrough last summer.

The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract with Boro before the start of the 2024-2025 season.

Bakre pointed to Middlesbrough's strong track record of promoting youth as a key factor in his decision to join the club over his other suitors, stressing that the pathway to senior football was crucial.

Speaking to allnigeriasoccer.com, he said: "Before I went to Middlesbrough there was interest from Reading , Blackburn Rovers and a few other clubs as well.

"I chose Middlesbrough because they showed great interest in me. You can see over the years Middlesbrough like to push players on from their academy such as Isaiah Jones and Hayden Hackney. 

"There are a few players who have managed to go from their academy to the first team.

"Every young boy's dream is to play at first team level so I decided to choose Middlesbrough.”

Talking through his career, Bakre revealed that he played grassroots football before he was poached by Brighton & Hove, from where he moved to Huddersfield Town.

He stressed that he was not offered a professional deal by the Terriers for non-footballing reasons, despite being the U18s' top scorer for two consecutive seasons.

"I started my career grassroots football from the age of eight up to the age of twelve, where I was scouted by Brighton. 

"I was there for two years, things unfortunately did not work out the way I wanted it. The distance was far from where I lived in Peckham.

"I went to a showcase team, Onside Academy, played a showcase game and I was picked up by Huddersfield , where I stayed for two years and was top goalscorer. 

"I didn't get a professional contract at Huddersfield  due to some reasons off the pitch, then I signed for Middlesbrough."

In November 2024, the prolific striker was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month, after scoring three goals in two games the previous month, but Chelsea midfielder Kiano Dyer took home the prize.

"That's the highlight of my season so far, being nominated amongst other players for Premier League 2 Player of the Month.

"That's obviously the highlight of my season because there are top players in Premier League 2, so to be nominated was a great achievement.

"It shows how well I am doing in the games by contributing with goals, which is important for me as a striker," Bakre said.

Bakre is willing to play for the Flying Eagles if handed a call-up by the Nigeria Football Federation. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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