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Abdulhalim Okunola: England-Nigeria defender joins Boro U21 from Southampton
England and Nigeria defender Abdulhalim Okunola has joined Boro U21 from Southampton U21, completing a move to the Middlesbrough side on 1 September 2026.
The 19-year-old centre-back moves between clubs competing in Premier League 2, with Boro U21 also involved in the National League Cup. Okunola is a right-footed defender whose listed position is centre-back.
Okunola spent the previous season with Southampton U21 after moving up from Southampton U18 in July 2025. He had joined Southampton’s under-18 side from Chelsea Youth in July 2023 in a free transfer.
His switch to Boro comes at the start of the 2026-27 campaign. He had not made an appearance in either Premier League 2 or the National League Cup before leaving Southampton, with the move marking the latest stage of his development in academy football.
Okunola has now changed clubs within the Premier League 2 set-up, moving from Southampton U21 to Boro U21.
