Nigerian youngster Nefeye Osazee has achieved a significant milestone in his football career by signing his first professional contract with Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. Osazee began his structured football development with CitySports in Lagos in 2017 at the age of six. He trained regularly and featured in the CitySports League, laying the foundation for his future success. His journey has been marked by dedication and hard work, ultimately leading him to join AFC Bournemouth ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Before joining Bournemouth, Osazee moved to England in 2022 and continued his development with Slough Town. His impressive performance during a trial spell with Arsenal's academy in 2023 earned him a spot in the team. During the trial, he reportedly scored 10 goals in nine matches, showcasing his talent and potential. Osazee spent three years within Arsenal's Hale End academy, refining his skills and preparing him for the next stage of his career.
Shola Opaleye, Founder and CEO of CitySports Group, expressed pride in Osazee's achievement, recalling the young player's early days with CitySports. Opaleye remembers Osazee as a young boy who loved football, and his progression to Arsenal and now Bournemouth is a testament to the club's development programs. CitySports was instrumental in providing Osazee with a good environment to learn, develop, and enjoy the game during his formative years.
Opaleye emphasized that Osazee's journey demonstrates the importance of viewing youth football development as a long-term process. He stressed that no academy should promise a child a professional contract, but rather focus on working seriously on their development and creating the right environment to help them prepare for future opportunities. Osazee's story is a prime example of this approach, with multiple contributors playing a role in his success.
Osazee's achievement is also significant for CitySports, which is set to expand its athlete-development programs in 2027 under its Develop → Compete → Progress pathway. The club's focus on providing a supportive environment for young players to grow and develop has paid off, as evident in Osazee's career progression. CitySports will continue to follow Osazee's journey and support him from afar.
For Opaleye, the immediate focus is on celebrating Osazee's achievement, which marks a major milestone in his career. Signing a first professional contract is a significant accomplishment, but it also signals the beginning of another level of work for the young player. Osazee's family and CitySports are proud of his achievement, and they will continue to support him as he embarks on this new chapter.
Osazee's signing with Bournemouth marks a new chapter in his career, and his journey serves as an inspiration to young players. His success demonstrates that with dedication, hard work, and the right support, young players can achieve their goals and make a name for themselves in the football world. As Osazee begins this new phase of his career, he will look to build on his impressive development and make a lasting impact at Bournemouth.
Key points
- Nigerian youngster Nefeye Osazee signs first professional contract with AFC Bournemouth.
- Osazee began his structured football development with CitySports in Lagos in 2017 at the age of six.
- Shola Opaleye emphasizes the importance of viewing youth football development as a long-term process.
