Leslie Okai has committed his future to Valencia CF after agreeing to continue with the club’s reserve side, as the young striker looks to build on a difficult but encouraging season.
The Ghanaian forward will remain part of Valencia Mestalla under coach Óscar Sánchez, extending his stay at the club’s academy setup as he continues his push towards senior football.
Okai’s latest deal comes after a campaign disrupted by a serious groin injury that sidelined him for six months. The striker suffered the setback in September and did not return to action until March, forcing him to miss a significant portion of the season.
Despite the lengthy absence, the 20-year-old finished the campaign on a positive note. Gradually reintegrated into the squad during the closing weeks of the season, he made an immediate impact by scoring three goals in the final matches, offering a glimpse of the potential that has made him one of the academy’s promising attacking prospects.
🗣️ “Es un sueño jugar para un club tan increíble como el @valenciacf”
📽️Leslie Okai afronta su segunda temporada en el #VCFMestalla y habla en los micros de VCF MEDIA
🔗https://t.co/kvbrRufE2z pic.twitter.com/fwgTBmdZPs
— Academia VCF 🦇 (@Academia_VCF) June 17, 2026
Speaking after extending his stay, Okai described continuing his journey with Valencia as a dream and reiterated his ambition to one day represent the club’s first team.
“It’s always been a dream to play for such an incredible club,” he said. “I see myself playing for the first team in the future. I know what I can do; I just need opportunities.”
The forward also praised Valencia’s medical staff for helping him recover from the longest injury layoff of his career, while highlighting the competitive environment within the academy as a key factor in his development.
Born in Ghana, Okai joined Valencia’s academy system in 2023 and is preparing for his third season at the club. Known for his pace, movement and finishing ability, he is regarded as a player capable of operating across the front line, although he is most effective in a central attacking role.
After overcoming a challenging year, the striker will now hope a full pre-season can help accelerate his progress and bring him closer to achieving his goal of breaking into Valencia’s senior squad.
For Valencia, retaining Okai represents another investment in the club’s youth development strategy as they continue to nurture emerging talent through the academy ranks.
