Slovakian side AS Trenčín snap up 17-year-old NPFL breakout star

The NPFL 2023/2024 Rookie of the Season award winner, Sani Suleiman, has joined Slovakian 1.Liga side, AS Trenčín, on a two-year deal, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 17-year-old took the 2023/2024 NPFL season by storm, joining Akwa United from Nigeria National League side, Wikki Tourists in January, featuring in all of the Promise Keepers' games in the second half of the season, as they narrowly avoided relegation from the Nigerian top-flight.

The fleet-footed winger scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 19 games for Akwa United last season, and after just six months in the NPFL, has joined AS Trenčín, penning a two-year pre-contract as he's still yet to turn 18. His contract will be valid in September.

Sani Suleiman has joined AS Trencin on a two-year deal from Akwa United.

Just 6 months in the NPFL & Europe straight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oGsMaLka4T

— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) July 22, 2024

Despite having a plethora of European clubs to choose from, the teenager chose to join the Slovakian side to focus solely on his development into a better player shortly, following the path of Nantes winger, Moses Simon who also started his European career with the same club.

AS Trenčín finished 7th on the Slovakian 1. Liga table last season, and are hopeful Suleiman's capture will spur them higher as the new season begins.  The club's biggest success in their history was winning the national title in the 2014/15 season after reaching second place in the previous season.

Samuel Kalu, and Hilary Gong are other Nigerian footballers to have previously played for the Slovakian club. Former Netherlands and Ajax striker, Tscheu La Ling, owns the club.