RB Leipzig have completed the signing of Nigerian-Dutch teenager Junior Thomas Ayodele from Dutch Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven.
The Bundesliga club confirmed the arrival of the 18-year-old on Monday after he travelled to Germany at the weekend to complete a medical, as previously reported by Footy-Africa.
Ayodele has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Leipzig, with the two clubs agreeing a €400,000 transfer fee.
Speaking exclusively to Footy-Africa, a source close to the player, Toyosi Afolayan, revealed that Eintracht Frankfurt had previously shown interest in the midfielder before he opted for a move to Leipzig.
“Frankfurt at some point eyed him but the move never materialised and his aim was to leave PSV for first team opportunities,” Afolayan exclusively told Footy-Africa.
Afolayan added that Ayodele was clear about wanting to avoid another youth-team role, saying:
“As he said to me ‘it’s going to be for first team I can’t go from U-21 to another U-21’.”
The source believes Leipzig is the right environment for the teenager’s development.
“It’s a solid move. RB Leipzig have a proven track record of developing young players and easing them into top-level football, so it makes sense,” he said.
Afolayan also expressed confidence that Ayodele has the qualities to break into Leipzig’s senior side, while acknowledging there is still room for growth.
“Game time shouldn’t be an issue, and with less pressure, he’ll be able to grow into the team naturally. He still has one or two things to learn, but he’s open to learning and improving,” he concluded.
Ayodele becomes Leipzig’s latest January signing, joining Brajan Gruda, Abdoul Koné and Suleman Sani as Die Roten Bullen strengthen their squad in the race for a top-four finish.
He will wear the number 21 shirt and could be involved when Leipzig travel to Cologne on Sunday.
