Real Madrid sign Nigerian 18-year old mercurial playmaker Marvin Olawale Akinlabi

SPANISH giants Real Madrid has signed Nigerian teenage footballer Marvin Olawale Akinlabi and sent him to their youth academy in a development that could end up producing another world class playmaker.

Marvin, 18, was born in Mallorca Spain in March 2000 to a Nigerian father and a Korean mother and is eligible to play for all three nations. Last week, he was unveiled by Real Madrid with the club confirming on its website that he has been included in their youth set-up for the forthcoming season.

 “An attacking-minded midfielder who is a danger when he joins the attack and his ability in one-on-one situations also makes him a threat. “He took his first steps in the game in his native Balearic Islands and possesses a very direct style, which fully exploits his pace and power and he also has fine ability with both feet,” the club said.

 Before he moved to Real Madrid in 2016, Marvin had his development at various other clubsides including Sporting Ciudad de Palma, Tranmere Rovers, Sporting Ciudad de Palma, La Salle and Es Jonquet Penya Arrabal. He is expected to play in this season's Uefa Youth League, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Marco Asensio and Jese Rodriquez who stepped up into the main Madrid team following their exploits with the youngsters team.

If Marvin comes through the ranks as expected, he will be another genuine playmaker like former Super Eagles skipper Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. No doubt, the Nigerian Football Federation will be keeping tabs on him in the hope of getting the youngster to commit to the Super Eagles.