Nigerian teenager Favour Bamidele has been invited for a two-week assessment at Swedish side Kalmar FF ahead of a possible move to the club, Footy-Africa can exclusively confirm.
The 16-year-old, born in 2009, has impressed Kalmar during their scouting visits to Nigeria, prompting the club to take a closer look at the forward with a view to a permanent deal.
Bamidele, who previously had a spell on trial at Portuguese giants Benfica, will train with both Kalmar’s U19 side and the first team during the assessment period as the club weighs up signing him.
The youngster, who plays for Nigerian outfit Inspire FA, is expected to spend two weeks with the Swedish club, working with the U19s and the senior squad simultaneously as coaches run the rule over him.
A source at the academy, speaking exclusively to Footy-Africa, described Bamidele as a player with a big future and said he was confident the youngster would make the most of the opportunity in front of him.
“He is a young boy who has shown determination in his career since the first day we saw him,” the source said. “He has shown the desire and heart to make it in the game, so it is no surprise that he is currently on trial with them, and I believe he will succeed there.”
“As an academy, we try to put our players on the right track for their development, and also look at areas that can help them improve and turn professional. Favour is a very intelligent player who can play from the wings or in attack. He has a lot of flair and the ability to see things others cannot.”
“We have already had offers for him from Portugal and Belgium, but as I said, we are only interested in wherever his development will be best served. He is currently on a two-week trial at a club with a good record with Nigerian, African and young talents, and personally, I think it’s somewhere he can grow and develop easily, without too much pressure.”
If Bamidele is signed, he will join the likes of fellow Nigerians Gbenga Arokoyo, Chima Akas, Abiola Dauda and others to have featured for the club.
