Nigerian teenage goalkeeper Owen Asemota signs first professional contract with Aston Villa

NIGERIAN teenage goalkeeper Owen Asemota has signed his first ever professional contract after putting pen to paper on a deal with English Premier League giants Aston Villa that will now make him eligible to feature for the first team.

Asemota, 17, joined Aston Villa's Academy last September after leaving Arsenal, where he spent eight years. At the time, the Gunners were keen to tie him down to a new deal, offering the youngster a scholarship but the talented shot-stopper had already made up his mind to leave the club.

Aston Villa pulled off a major transfer coup by luring Asemota to Birmingham, beating Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea to his signature. Since joining Aston Villa, he has made 10 appearances in the U18 Premier League, conceding just 15 goals, while posting one clean sheet.

Asemota was called up for Uefa Youth League matches against Young Boys and Club Brugge but did not come off the bench in both games.  His other appearances for Aston Villa U18s came in Premier League Cup matches against Middlesbrough and Fulham.

He has been described as a goalkeeper with very good athletic qualities and ball management skills. During his time with Arsenal, Asemota was invited to train with the senior goalkeepers and left the north London club after featuring in three matches in the U18 Premier League.