Confirmed: Two young Nigerian defenders sign new contracts with Watford

With a statement on the official website, Championship club Watford have announced  the group of youngsters who have received their scholarships ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Two young defenders of Nigerian descent, Tomiwa Akinyimika and Chaniel Ogieva-Okunbor, have signed scholarship deals with the Hornets.

Akinyimika and Ogieva-Okunbor have inked two-year contracts and will be given the opportunity to develop both on and off the pitch, through education, life and football.

Born July 19, 2009, Akinyimika joined Watford in October 2023 on schoolboy terms following a spell at Arsenal's Hale End Academy.

The 15-year-old has been described as a tenacious left-back who is adept at one-v-ones. 

His older brother Tobi is also at Watford, and entered the second year of his scholarship this month.

Born March 3, 2009, Ogieva-Okunbor has an athletic profile, can dominate in the air and is a threat from set pieces.

His standout moment came in the final of last season's Professional Development League Cup at Vicarage Road, where he scored against Charlton Athletic to help Watford U16s clinch the title.

The Nigerian teenagers will be hoping to emulate Tobi Adeyemo, Joseph Hungbo and Jayden Bennetts, who rose through the ranks to make their first team debuts for Watford. 

For the upcoming season, the first year scholars will play will play under the expert guidance of Academy Director Richard Johnson and Academy Head of Coaching Micah Hyde 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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