Michael Obafemi is a 17-year old phenom who could be the next big product from Southamptons vaunted academy after he was named to their bench for a league game against Tottenham Hotspurs.
Obafemi's hot streak for the team's U-18 side has seen him compared to other graduates of the academy like Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale.
The Nigerian striker scored a hat-trick in 18 minutes during a 4-1 win for "The Saints" against Wolves in an FA Youth Cup on December 14, 2017. As a result, he was automatically upgraded to the team A of the club.
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“It’s a very special night. It’s my first hat-trick for the club, so it’s onwards and upwards from here,” said Obafemi.
“We’ve not had the best results from the youth level through to the first team, so it’s a big boost for the club.”
About Michael Obafemi
Obafemi has featured for the Irish U-17 team, but his both parents are Nigerians. In July 2016, Obafemi signed a two-year scholarship deal with English Premier League club Southampton FC.
Before taking to soccer, Obafemi h also represented Ireland in the 100-meter sprints.
In the current season of the U-18 premier league, Obafemi has scored 9 goals in 11 matches with 1 assist.