Beyond Limits captain Sodiq Lawal has taken the next major step in his young career after completing a move to Swedish side Kalmar FF, fending off interest from several European clubs to secure a long-term future in Scandinavia.
The highly rated midfielder, who turned 18 just days before the move was finalized, has signed a four-year contract with Kalmar, underlining the club’s belief in his potential and long-term value. Lawal arrives in Sweden as one of the brightest talents produced by the Ikenne-based Beyond Limits Football Academy, a club steadily building a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most reliable talent factories.
Lawal has been part of the Beyond Limits setup since 2022 and has grown through the ranks into a leader on and off the pitch. His development peaked last year when he captained the academy side to Gothia Cup glory, defeating ASEC Mimosas in the final, a moment that further pushed him into the spotlight.
Swedish side Kalmar FF set to sign Nigerian youngster Sodiq Lawal
Speaking exclusively to Footy-Africa, Beyond Limits media manager Muzamil Raji offered insight into Lawal’s journey and why the academy is confident he will thrive in Europe.
“Sodiq joined us in 2022 at the U-15 level and earlier played for the Ogun State U-15 team at a South West U-15 tournament in honour of Ogunjobi,” Raji explained. “He played for Future Bright Academy in Mowe, the same academy that produced Ebenezer Akinsamiro for us, so he joined from there.”
Raji detailed how Lawal’s early performances quickly set him apart within the academy structure.
“He started with our U-15s and played in the 2023 U-15 NPFL La Liga tournament. He was a very important part of that squad and his performance led to his invitation to his first Gothia Cup. He was initially added as a backup,” he said.
Circumstances, however, accelerated Lawal’s rise.
“Unfortunately, the first-choice player couldn’t get his visa, so Sodiq became the first choice. He played in all the games at the Gothia Cup before we were knocked out in the quarter-finals,” Raji noted.
Sex snabba frågor till Sodiq Lawal ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/yGgAb8Qe5l
— Kalmar FF (@KalmarFF) January 15, 2026
From that point, Lawal’s growth became evident. His adaptability and resilience stood out, particularly when exposed to senior football.
“He developed from there and held his ground. He adapts easily to new environments,” Raji said. “He also played in the ValueJet Cup final against Shooting Stars with the senior team. He made mistakes in the first half, but he grew into the game in the second half.”
Leadership became a defining trait as Lawal took on the captain’s armband.
“He’s very hardworking and became a better player when he became captain, both on and off the pitch. He understands what it means to represent a club and motivates everyone around him,” Raji continued.
Raji confirmed that Kalmar FF were not the only club monitoring the youngster:
“There was interest from other clubs, including strong interest from Austria and other countries, but management felt Kalmar was the best fit for him now, and I agree. Sodiq’s mentality is very strong, and that is a big asset. I believe he will go places if he keeps his head and continues to work on his game.”
Lawal’s move continues a growing trend of Nigerian academies using Scandinavia as a launchpad into European football, a pathway that offers young players structure, patience, and opportunity which the likes of Frank Onyeka, Paul Onuachu, Raphael Onyedika, Gift Orban and others used to launch themselves into the big time.
