Belgian Pro League side Westerlo have made contact with Kwara Football Academy over a potential move for highly-rated Nigerian youngster Kamaldeen Abduljelil, Footy-Africa can report.
The KFA Director of Communications confirmed that Westerlo have expressed interest in the teenage midfielder, who has continued to attract attention from clubs in Europe following his impressive performances at youth international level.
Abduljelil has already been linked with Premier League giants Chelsea and Belgian side Genk, with his growing reputation making him one of the Nigerian youngsters attracting significant interest from European clubs.
Footy-Africa understands that the youngster recently spent three months training with Chelsea before returning to Nigeria.
The midfielder has also had opportunities to train in Europe, including a spell with a Serie B club in Italy and another experience in Slovenia.
Those opportunities have further exposed Abduljelil to European football and allowed clubs to assess his development at close quarters.
Westerlo make move
Westerlo’s interest is understood to have intensified after the player’s performances on the international stage.
The Belgian club have now made contact with Kwara Football Academy as they explore the possibility of bringing the youngster to Europe.
Abduljelil has emerged as one of the more exciting prospects from the academy and is understood to be high on the Belgian club’s priority list.
His performances at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup played a significant role in attracting attention, while he also impressed at the 2025 WAFU B U20 Championship.
It was during the regional tournament that the youngster particularly caught the eye.
Playing primarily from the left side, Abduljelil was a constant threat to opposition defences and produced a standout performance in Nigeria’s 4-1 victory over Benin.
He also impressed in the knockout stages against Niger, and Ivory Coast as Nigeria progressed through the tournament.
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From winger to attacking midfielder
Although Abduljelil initially made his name as a left-winger, his development has seen him move into a more central role.
His pace and ability to take on defenders remain important parts of his game, but his capacity to influence matches from deeper areas has encouraged coaches to deploy him as a central attacking midfielder.
The youngster is particularly effective when carrying the ball from deep and driving into attacking areas.
That combination of pace, close control and creativity gives him the ability to create chances for himself and his teammates rather than simply relying on his work from the wing.
It is a development that could make him an even more attractive prospect for European clubs.
Compared with Iwobi and Okocha
Abduljelil’s style has already drawn comparisons with two of Nigeria’s most recognisable attacking players, Alex Iwobi and the late Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha.
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Like Iwobi, he possesses the versatility to operate in different attacking positions and is comfortable receiving the ball between the lines.
His dribbling ability and willingness to take on opponents have also brought comparisons with Okocha, although Abduljelil remains at the early stage of his development.
The comparisons underline the level of expectation around the youngster, but his next move will be crucial to ensuring that his potential develops into a successful professional career.
European interest growing
Westerlo’s approach adds another Belgian club to the list of teams monitoring Abduljelil. Chelsea’s interest and the midfielder’s recent training experience in London have already provided an indication of the level of attention he is attracting.
Genk have also been linked with the player, while his training experiences in Italy and Slovenia have given other European clubs an opportunity to assess his abilities.
For now, Westerlo have made their interest known to Kwara Football Academy. The next step will be to determine whether that interest develops into a formal proposal for one of Nigeria’s emerging young talents.
With Abduljelil continuing to develop as a central attacking midfielder, the race for his signature could become one to watch in the coming weeks.
