Defender Habeeb Ogunneye signs his first professional contract with Manchester United

NIGERIA-eligible teenage fullback Habeeb Ogunneye has signed first ever professional contract with Premier League giants Manchester United making him a fully fledged senior qualified to play for the main team.

Ogunneye, 17, has enjoyed a rapid rise in his career over the last few seasons, making his competitive debut for Manchester United U18s in his final year as a schoolboy. Also, the defender made his UEFA Youth League debut against Young Boys of Switzerland  in December 2021.

On the international stage, he became provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth, England when he started for the Young Lions in a 7-0 victory over Armenia in a European U17 Championship qualifier in October 2021. He is yet to make his season debut for the Manchester United youth team this season but despite that, he has been offered his first professional contract.

Ogunneye said: "Proud moment to have signed my first professional contract at this great club. Grateful for my family and all those who have helped me so far. The hard work continues."

With this deal, Ogunneye becomes the fourth Nigerian on the books of Manchester United. Winger Shola Shoretire, striker Victor Musa and midfielder Maximillian Oyedele are the other players of Nigerian descent who represent Manchester United youth teams.