Nigeria U-20 captain Habila Simeon is set to continue his career with Slovakian side AS Trencin, who have won the race to secure the signature of the highly rated midfielder.
Regarded as one of Nigeria’s most promising young midfielders, the 17-year-old is expected to join a club with a strong track record of developing Nigerian talent.
Simeon rose to prominence at the WAFU B U20 tournament, where he was handed the captain’s armband despite being one of the youngest players in the competition.
He further underlined his quality by scoring in the semi-final against hosts Ivory Coast, helping Nigeria secure a place in the final before they eventually lost to Burkina Faso.
Habila Simeon and four Nigerian academy prospects who could move to Europe soon
His performances attracted interest from several European clubs, with teams from Belgium, England, Sweden and Croatia reportedly monitoring the teenager’s progress.
However, AS Trencin appear to have won the battle for his signature, thanks in part to their longstanding relationship with Golden Boot Soccer Academy (GBS) in Jos, Nigeria, where Simeon developed his game.
The Slovakian club have a rich history of working with Nigerian players, with former Super Eagles stars Moses Simon and Samuel Kalu among those who have represented the club. Other Nigerians who have played for Trencin include Kingsley Madu, Philip Azango and Hilary Gong.
A source at GBS exclusively told Footy-Africa that Simeon’s next step had been carefully considered to ensure he fulfils the potential he demonstrated at the WAFU B U20 tournament.
“Yes, there were some clubs looking at him for a while, and he did well at the U20 tournament. As a result, there was significant interest from European sides,” the source said.
“However, there had been some form of agreement with Trencin even before the tournament because of the longstanding relationship between the academy and the Slovakian club, which dates back almost ten years, if not more.
AS Trenčín agree deal to sign Nigeria U-20 captain Habila Simeon
“I personally believe this is the right place for him to begin his professional journey in Europe, just as some other graduates of the academy, such as Moses Simon and Kingsley Madu, did. He is very creative and intelligent for someone of his age, and I believe Nigeria has a real gem on its hands. We are hopeful he will go places.”
Simeon’s move to Trencin could provide the young midfielder with an important platform to develop his game and gain experience in European football as he continues his journey towards senior international football.
