Nigeria-eligible teenager Ogunleye signs his first professional contract with Bournemouth

ENGLISH Premier League side Bournemouth have offered Nigeria-eligible teenage midfielder Malachi Ogunleye his first professional contract making him qualified to feature in the first team next season.

Ogunleye, 18, who was born in Southampton to Nigerian parents Olamide and Katie, stated last year that he was open to representing Nigeria at international level. He has been with Bournemouth since the age of 11 and signed a scholarship deal with the club before the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

Now, Ogunleye is a fully fledged professional as he, alongside four other members of the club's academy have been promoted to the senior squad. Midfielders Charlie Stevens and Karlos Gregory, defender Archie Harris and winger Remy Rees-Dottin have all put pen-to-paper on professional contracts.

Last season, Ogunleye captained the Cherries in the U18 Professional Development League and FA Youth Cup and also featured in the Professional Development League and Premier League Cup. Before joining Bournemouth, Ogunleye turned out for the youth teams of Chamberlayne, Netley Royals and Fareham Town.

Ogunleye said: "I’ve had some recognition from the newspapers in Nigeria so it’s been nice to see that.  I would be honoured to play for either country and hopefully, one day I’ll get to make a choice."

A multi-talented teenager, Ogunleye previously made a name for himself as a champion break dancer on the south coast before dedicating himself to football. He is a versatile midfielder who can play in several positions in the middle of the park and will be hoping to make his Premier league debut next season.