English Premier League
Ryan Alebiosu Targets Super Eagles future after signing with Blackburn Rovers
By Dayo Awoniyi
Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of former Arsenal academy defender Ryan Alebiosu on a three-year contract, with an option to extend for an additional year. The 23-year-old joins the Championship side after a two-year stint in Belgium with KV Kortrijk.
Alebiosu, who began his career as a right winger before transitioning into a full-back, returns to English football with a renewed focus—not just on club success, but also on an international breakthrough with Nigeria.
During his official unveiling at Blackburn, Alebiosu proudly displayed the Nigerian flag, signaling his intent to represent the Super Eagles. Though eligible for both England and Nigeria, he has yet to be capped at any level, making a potential Nigeria call-up straightforward.
The London-born defender, whose parents are Nigerian, has long admired Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi—another product of Arsenal’s Hale End Academy.
“I have admired and watched Alex play for years, especially when he plays for Nigeria, which is where my parents are from,” Alebiosu told Arsenal’s official website in 2017. “I would say I’m a little similar in style to Alex Iwobi when he plays on the wing.”
Alebiosu spent over a decade at Arsenal before moving to Belgium in 2023. At Kortrijk, he gained first-team experience and matured defensively, laying the groundwork for a return to English football.
With his international future still open, Alebiosu’s move to Blackburn could serve as a springboard toward a debut for Nigeria as the Super Eagles continue to build squad depth ahead of major competitions.
