Norwegian top-flight Lillestrom have signed 16-year-old Nigerian winger Seun Akanji from Nigeria National League (NNL) side Sporting Lagos.
Lillestrom announced Akanji’s signing in a statement on their website.
“LSK have secured an option on Nigerian winger Seun Akanji. The 16-year-old has been training with the club since mid-January and has been given playing time in both friendly matches.
“He has impressed sporting director Simon Mesfin and the rest of the LSK staff. The club has therefore entered into an agreement with Sporting Lagos for an option to purchase Akanji.”
Lillestrom stated that before their invitation, Sporting Lagos had already received offers from several European and Scandinavian clubs, but they managed to convince the Nigerian club that they are the right place for Akanji’s development.
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Speaking on the signing
Mesfin revealed that Akanji was scouted during a scouting tournament in Nigeria.
He said all the Eliteserien (Norwegian top flight) clubs and several Scandinavian teams had Akanji number one on the list of the tournament’s talents.
“This is similar to the case we had with KP (Kparobo Ariheri), where we secured the rights long before the player turned 18.
“Akanji can only become eligible to play in the summer of 2026, but we have now made a club agreement that secures us the rights when he turns 18.
“In the meantime, we will invite him to several stays with us to start the integration phase and continue his development.”
By James Agberebi