Nigeria’s latest youth sensation Abduljelil Kamaldeen is attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with at least five teams now in the race for the 16-year-old Flying Eagles midfielder, Footy-Africa can exclusively confirm.
The Kwara Football Academy (KFA) product has been one of the standout youngsters for Nigeria in recent months, earning his spot in the squad for the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Ghana and later the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
Despite being the youngest player in the Flying Eagles setup, Kamaldeen has shown an impressive performance beyond his years, even scoring in Nigeria’s 4-1 comeback win against Benin Republic.
Chelsea and West Ham lead the English charge
According to sources close to the player, Chelsea have been monitoring Kamaldeen for several months, with their youth scouts making enquiries during the U-20 World Cup.
The London giants have proposed a scholarship offer that would allow the midfielder to continue his education alongside football development until he turns 17 and becomes eligible for a professional contract.
Fellow Premier League side West Ham United have also entered the race. The player’s agent recently held talks in London with both Chelsea and West Ham officials.
West Ham are said to be pushing hard, with both clubs presenting structured scholarship pathways instead of outright transfers, in line with FIFA rules regarding minors.
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Belgian giants watching closely
Beyond England, Belgian clubs are also circling. Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp have expressed concrete interest, with Antwerp in particular tabling a clear proposal through the player’s agent.
Both clubs see Kamaldeen as a long-term investment, with plans to integrate him into their youth system before moving him to first-team level.
Portugal Connection
A Portuguese club, whose name has not been disclosed, has also submitted a proposal to take Kamaldeen into their U-19 squad.
While the option remains on the table, the more concrete discussions are currently centred on Chelsea, West Ham, and Royal Antwerp.
