The son of the former Nigeria international has been handed a professional contract with the Premier League outfit.
Highly-rated attacker Ruben Shakpoke has signed a professional contract with English elite division outfit Aston Villa.
Ruben, 17, who is the son of former Super Eagles right-back Jero, joined Villa in October 2020 following the relegation of Norwich City.
Before the Englishman of Nigerian descent got his scholarship deal, the Claret and Blue Army had to beat competition from Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven and a host of other clubs.
The England youth international made his debut for Aston Villa in their U18 fixture versus Tottenham Hotspur and also featured against Fulham before his development was halted by injury.
Even at that, academy manager Mark Harrison, who was delighted Ruben penned his first contract with the team, claimed the club would soon see the best of him.
“We are delighted Ruben has signed his first professional contract with us,” Harrison was quoted by Aston Villa’s website.
“His game time has been hampered by injury but once he is back fully fit we look forward to him fulfilling his potential, which is very clear to see.”
During his time at Norwich in the 2018-19 campaign, Ruben scored 11 goals in one game during a U15 clash against Watford.
With this development, he follows in the footsteps of Louie Barry, Kaine Kesler, Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Carney Chukwuemeka to sign their first pro contracts this term.
The duo of Ben Chrisene and Lamare Bogarde also pledged their futures after they impressed in their FA Cup outing against Liverpool last week.
The England youth international made his debut for Aston Villa in their U18 fixture versus Tottenham Hotspur and also featured against Fulham before his development was halted by injury.
Even at that, academy manager Mark Harrison, who was delighted Ruben penned his first contract with the team, claimed the club would soon see the best of him.
“We are delighted Ruben has signed his first professional contract with us,” Harrison was quoted by Aston Villa’s website.
“His game time has been hampered by injury but once he is back fully fit we look forward to him fulfilling his potential, which is very clear to see.”
During his time at Norwich in the 2018-19 campaign, Ruben scored 11 goals in one game during a U15 clash against Watford.
With this development, he follows in the footsteps of Louie Barry, Kaine Kesler, Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Carney Chukwuemeka to sign their first pro contracts this term.
The duo of Ben Chrisene and Lamare Bogarde also pledged their futures after they impressed in their FA Cup outing against Liverpool last week.
Ruben’s father was the Super Eagles’ favourite right-back during their preparations for the 1998 Fifa World Cup. Unfortunately, he did not make Bora Milutinovic’s squad to France following an injury suffered against the Netherlands in a friendly match.
Before drawing the curtain on his international career, the former Reggiana, Nice and Union SG defender featured six times for the three-time African kings.
Although he has featured for England at U15 and U18 level, he is eligible to represent Nigeria at senior level.
