The exploits of Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen in Turkey Supa Lig thus propelling Galatasaray to a domestic double has led the club and rival, Fenerbahce to embark on the search for another Nigerian striker in the mould of the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 top scorer.
The search has taken the rival clubs to Aryehspor Academy in Istanbul where 18-year old David Somtochukwu Nwajei is excelling. Top agent Azit Assad who has been moitoring the development of the teenager says, “He is the goals king of the Academy and has done so well in the last one year to catch the attention of scouts of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce among other top clubs.”
The clubs, according to reports, want to grab the young lad even as they wish he develops steadily to avoid big money deal. They’re highly impressed with Osimhen’s performance, and they believe that another Nigerian should just step in to take his place, if not immediately, at least in the nearest future. That Nigerian they’re convinced is Nwajei.
Nwajei, an undergraduate of Uskudar University in Istanbul where he is studying Media Communication, is a lookalike of Osimhen in height and physche. He is equally the goalpoacher of his Academy. Scoring 22 last year and 24 this year makes him the wonder kid of his academy.
These are the major attractions of the clubs that have been closely monitoring his performance.
Family sources say, the move to Aryehspor Academy was deliberate to ensure Nwajei combines education with football.
“He is desirous of playing football, and we don’t want to stop him from fulfilling and achieving his dream,” says his uncle, Obi Okechukwu. But his parents pleaded with him to combine football with education to ensure he has something to fall back on if he retires. That was the major reason he was taken to Turkey.
“He wanted to go fully into football given his immense talent. Agents and scouts have continued to plead with his parents to release him to them. But we know it won’t give him the opportunity to school. Some of the agents are from France, Poland, Holland, Germany, and Portugal, but his parents decided he moves to a quiet place where he can concentrate in his education yet play football. The whole idea is for him to develop properly in Aryehspor Academy and graduate before securing deal with any top club.
“But as things stand, he may get a club even before he graduates given the huge interests already shown on him. He has revealed that his interest is to play for the Flying Eagles. He has been following the team passionately and praying to be part of the World Cup preparation, all things being equal.”
The dream of Nwajei featuring for Flying Eagles may come true following the interests shown by Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, who have discovered the potential of the teenager. He surely will be a plus to Flying Eagles if he is considered.
Flying Eagles are preparing for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile coming up from 27 September to 19 October 2025. Coach Aliyu Zubairu boys qualified by picking a ticket in the recently concluded Egypt 2025 U-20 AFCON.