Leicester offer Nigeria-eligible teenager Aluko a professional contract after he makes league debut

NIGERIA-eligible teenage fullback Olabade Aluko has been offered a new contract by Leicester City ahead of the 2025/26 season after making his Premier League debut yesterday against Bournemouth in the last match of the campaign.                         

Aluko, 18, made his first ever appearance in the English Premier League yesterday when he came in the 89th minute to replace Victor Kristiansen. Wearing the number 77 shirt, he became the youngest player of Nigerian descent to make a Premier League appearance for Leicester City. aged 18 years and 176 days.

Leicester City manager Ruud Van Nistelroy said the youngster is now expected to put pen to the new contract that the club has offered him. With this appearance, Aluko now becomes the youngest ever Leicester City player to appear in the English Premier League, beating the previous record held by Wilfred Ndidi, who debuted for the Foxes against Chelsea in January 2017 at the age of 20 years and 29 days.

A product of the Leicester City Academy, Aluko featured prominently for the club's U18 and U21 sides, playing in the U18 Premier League, FA Youth Cup, Premier League Cup, Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.  He scored  two goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for Leicester City youth teams.

Despite being eligible to play for England, Aluko has pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria, at least for now. Eligible to represent Nigeria through his parents, Aluko had hoped to feature for the Flying Eagles at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt but was overlooked for selection.

Aluko had previously faced senior opposition in the EFL Trophy, going the distance against Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town and featuring briefly against Notts County. Known for his maturity and leadership, he captained Leicester U18s in a Premier League fixture against Fulham in October 2024.