Arsenal and Watford hand professional deals to Nigerian-heritage teenagers Ogunnaike and Akinyimika

Two teenagers of Nigerian descent, Josh Ogunnaike at Arsenal and Tobi Akinyimika at Watford, have secured professional contracts in what both clubs are viewing as key steps in their youth development plans.

Arsenal reward ‘towering’ defender Ogunnaike

Arsenal confirmed on Friday that defender Josh Ogunnaike has signed his first professional contract with the Premier League club.

Ogunnaike, 18, is described by the club as a “towering” and adaptable defender, comfortable both at left-back and at centre-back. His new deal follows a strong campaign for Arsenal’s youth sides last season.

The defender made 37 appearances in all competitions at academy level in 2023-24, scoring once and impressing sufficiently to earn fresh terms at the end of the season.

Although he has not yet featured for the first team, he has already been brought into the senior environment. Manager Mikel Arteta invited him to train with the main squad on numerous occasions last season, underlining the club’s belief in his potential.

On Friday evening, Ogunnaike started at the heart of the defence for Arsenal’s Under-21s in a 1-1 pre-season draw against National League side Boreham Wood at Meadow Park, a fixture often used to test young players against senior opposition.

Hale End graduate continues pathway

Ogunnaike’s rise continues a long-established pathway from Arsenal’s Hale End Academy into the professional ranks.

He joined Hale End in 2021 and completed the second year of his scholarship during the 2023-24 season before being rewarded with professional terms.

The academy has been central to Arsenal’s identity, with graduates such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe reaching the first team in recent years. While Ogunnaike is still at an early stage, his exposure to senior training and regular Under-21 football suggests he is firmly on the club’s radar.

Arsenal have not disclosed the length of the contract, in keeping with their usual policy on youth deals, but the agreement is seen internally as a marker of confidence in his long-term development.

Akinyimika commits future to Watford

In the Championship, Watford have moved to secure the services of another teenager of Nigerian heritage, Tobi Akinyimika, who has signed a new one-year contract.

The deal includes an option for Watford to extend his stay further, potentially keeping him at Vicarage Road through the 2027-28 season if the club choose to trigger it.

Akinyimika, a central midfielder, featured prominently in Watford’s youth campaigns last term. He played in both the FA Youth Cup and the Premier League Cup, competitions that serve as key benchmarks for academy prospects.

During those runs, he found the net against Charlton Athletic, a moment that highlighted his ability to contribute in the final third as well as from deeper midfield positions.

Nigerian roots, English pathway

The progress of Ogunnaike and Akinyimika will be closely monitored not only in England but also by observers in Nigeria, given their heritage and the growing pool of dual-nationality players emerging from English academies.

Both teenagers remain at the developmental stage of their careers, but their clubs’ decisions to offer professional terms underline a belief that they can progress further within highly competitive systems.

The signings also reflect the wider emphasis at Arsenal and Watford on strengthening their squads from within, investing in youth prospects who might graduate to regular senior football in the coming seasons.