Nigeria U17, U20 Star Joins US League Side

Nigeria u-20 midfielder Akinjide Idowu has joined United Soccer League side Portland Timbers 2 on a two-year deal with an option of a one-year extension, Goal.com reports.

This was disclosed in a statement announced by the club side, which also stated that Idowu is the club’s first signing ahead of the 2016 season.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Striker Leads Portland Timbers To MLS Title

Akinjide Idowu joins Portland Timbers 2

“T2 announced the signing of midfielder Akinjide Idowu ahead of the 2016 USL season,” the club announced in a statement.

“Idowu joins the team after helping lead Nigeria to the Round of 16 in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. 

“Idowu will be added to the roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per league and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.”

Portland Timbers’ head coach, Andrew Gregor has lauded the Nigerian midfielder, describing him as a top quality player with a great future.

“Akinjide is an experienced midfielder at the youth international level with a good skill set, and he will have a great opportunity to continue to develop in our system,” said Gregor.

READ ALSO: Feature: How Age Fraud Has Affected Nigeria’s Super Eagles

Idowu, 19, has featured in over 50 games for Nigeria at the U17 and U20 levels, playing in all six matches at the 2013 CAF U17 championship in Morocco. He was part of the record winning U-17 team that won the FIFA World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, appearing in all six matches at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Idowu will be playing at T2 at the start of the MLS season. T2 is the reserve squad of the MLS champions, Portland Timbers who has Nigerian striker Fanendo Ali in their ranks.

Portland Timbers became the first Pacific Northwest team to win the MLS Cup.

The post Nigeria U17, U20 Star Joins US League Side appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.