Three Nigerian-born youngsters were a strong part of the January-ending transfer spree across England, as Joseph Olowu left Arsenal to National League South side, Wealdstone, while West Ham United allowed the duo of Ajibola Alese and Oladapo Afolayan move on as well.
Megasportsarena.com gatherd that, while Alese has joined Cambridge United on loan until the end of the season, Afolayan makes a similar move to Bolton Wanderers, one of the teams former Super Eagles’ captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha played for in England.
Unlike the glorious of days Okocha had with Bolton in the English Premier League, Afolayan has joined The Trotters in England’s League Two on loan until the end of the season, but he is still several levels ahead of Olowu, as the 21-year-old is again out of Arsenal, after spending last year with another lowly division side, Cork City.
Olowu made seven appearances for the Irish club but the ambitious defender, who was born in Nigeria, has not yet featured for the first team of Arsenal, who confirmed his latest move on their official website.
That is in stark contrast with the fate of 23-year-old Afolayan, who has registered five goals for West Ham’s youth squad this campaign and the fast-rising lad, who joined The Hammers in 2018, previously spent time on loan at Oldham Athletic and Mansfield Town.
The England youth international also spent seven years in Chelsea’s academy before making a name for himself at non-league level, which has shot him ahead of 20-year-old Alese, who is also on the move from the London Stadium.
The swashbuckling defender enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Accrington Stanley last season in the English League One, then made his senior debut for West Ham against Hull City in the Carabao Cup last September.
That is the biggest reference point he is now holding aloft, as he links forces with Cambridge United and the League Two leaders’ coach, Mark Bonner admitted he is truly delighted about signing the promising defender.
Bonner stated with glee: “Aji has some good experience of League football from his previous loan at Accrington Stanley and is well thought of at West Ham. He is left sided, has good quality with the ball and is a strong athlete, which makes him a nice addition to the squad.
“Much like Declan and Jubril, Aji has an opportunity to work for a place in the team whilst adding to our culture. This completes our business in the January window and with the competitive squad we have built, we can now focus on the months ahead and building on the progress we have made so far.”
