18-Year-Old Nigerian Defender Lands Leeds United Deal

At 18, most teenagers are finishing high school, but Leonard Ngenge is packing his bags for England after signing with Leeds United's academy.

The Nigerian defender sealed a deal that runs through 2027, capping off a whirlwind year that saw him go from domestic league player to international footballer to English club prospect. Leeds scouts had been watching him for months, and when the transfer window opened, they moved fast.

Ngenge's journey started in Ikorodu, where he played 25 league matches last season for Ikorodu City. His consistency caught the attention of Remo Stars, Nigeria's reigning champions, who signed him at the start of 2025.

His debut with Remo Stars made headlines for all the right reasons. Ngenge scored in a 4-0 victory in the CAF Champions League, announcing himself on the continental stage just as European scouts tuned in.

But what really sets Ngenge apart is his international experience at such a young age. At 17, he made his senior debut for Nigeria's national team, playing the full 90 minutes against Senegal.

His second cap came days later against Sudan, where he faced a tougher test that included conceding a penalty and an own goal. Most teenage defenders would crumble under that pressure, but Leeds saw something different: resilience.

The Ripple Effect

Ngenge's move opens doors for young Nigerian defenders dreaming of European football. He becomes only the third Nigerian international to join Leeds, following Enoch Showunmi and Sam Sodje from the late 2000s.

At Leeds' Thorp Arch training facility, Ngenge will develop under a structured academy system designed to turn raw talent into Premier League players. The pathway is clear: progress to the under-21s, where he could train alongside player-coach Jonny Howson, a 37-year-old club legend known for mentoring young defenders.

Leeds isn't rushing him into first-team action. The club has built its reputation on patience, giving young players time to adapt physically and tactically to English football's demanding pace.

For Nigerian football, Ngenge's signing sends a powerful message: domestic leagues can be launchpads to Europe's top academies. His seven appearances for Remo Stars were enough to convince a Championship club that he's worth investing in for the long term.

The teenager who started 2025 playing in Nigeria's Premier Football League is ending it in one of England's most respected youth systems, with a chance to build the career every young defender dreams about.