Tottenham have reportedly secured the services of former West Ham United starlet Ferdinand Okoh on a short-term deal. The 15-year-old Nigerian was deemed surplus to requirements at the London Stadium club and was subsequently released. The Teenage sensation has signed for London rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs in a move that a lot of people did not expect.
However, the midfielder has made significant improvements to his game since leaving the Hammers and now looks set for a trial period with Mauricio Pochettino’s side. The starlet is expected to play with the Youth team of Tottenham but will remain hopeful that he can break into the first team as soon as possible if he keeps up with his impressive displays.
Following his departure from West Ham last year, Okoh enlisted the help of several well-respected trainers in an effort to develop his skill-set. The tactic appears to have paid off, with his range of passing and ability to disrupt opposition moves coming in for praise. With the tendency of promoting youth players into the first team if they are good enough, Okoh will hope that he would make his first team debut soon.
According to All Nigeria Soccer, he will be given a chance to prove himself in Spurs’ youth setup, with the youngster likely to begin life in the Under-16 squad. At the end of the season the club will make a decision on whether to secure his signature on a long-term basis.Okoh’s marked improvement may leave his former employers ruing their hasty decision. The feisty central-midfielder evidently has the potential to compete at the top level and will benefit greatly from the guidance he will receive from Tottenham’s academy coaches.
The highly-rated teenager is not the only player with Nigerian roots being brought in to Spurs’ youth system. Derbyshire-born striker Kion Etete recently took part in a trial game for their under-18s, notching two goals in an impressive display.
The Daily Mail have indicated that Tottenham are monitoring his progress after the Notts County forward spent a week training with the club. If he continues to hone his skills the North Londoners may look to bring him in permanently