Aston Villa sign Nigeria-eligible teenage defender Jamaldeen Jimoh on scholarship deal

ENGLISH Premier League side Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Nigeria-eligible central defender Jamaldeen Jimoh who joins them from Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion (WBA) as a teenage scholar.

Jimoh, 16, was linked with possible moves to Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City but chose to remain in the West Midlands. Aston Villa's academy manager Mark Harrison, confirmed that there was a lot of competition for Jimoh's signature before he agreed terms with the Lions.

Following the move, Jimoh's  former club West Brom are due a compensation because he is an U24 player and was offered a scholarship deal. Jimoh will initially start his Aston Villa career with their U18 team but remains eligible to feature in the Premier League Two and will be registered on Aston Villa's Premier League roster as a scholar/U21 player.

Already, Jimoh has experienced some U18s football in the past, making seven appearances across two seasons while still a schoolboy at West Brom. He has been described as a  good ball manager who can be effective in and around both penalty boxes.

Jimoh made his competitive debut for Aston Villa U18s in an U18 Premier League match against Chelsea, yesterday on Saturday, August 26. He will now be hoping to go on to have a successful Villa career like compatriots Ugo Ehiogu and Gabriel Agbonlahor, although neither of them committed to playing for the Super Eagles.