Nigeria U20 striker Charles Agada joins Croatian side Istra from Mavlon

Nigeria U20 striker Charles Agada, regarded as the next Daniel Amokachi, has joined Croatian club side NK Istra 1961 on a four-year contract, Soccernet.ng reports.

The youngster, who turned 18 in September 2024, was courted by clubs in England and Germany.

But he has chosen to start his European sojourn in Croatia, where his former Mavlon teammate Salim Fago also plays. Another Mavlon product, Israel Isaac Ayuma, also plays for the club based in Pula.

NK Istra play their home games at the 8,900-seater Stadion Aldo Drosina.

Lowly beginnings

Agada grew up in Otukpo, Benue State, where his parents raised him in humble circumstances, his father a hunter and his mother a cleaner.

He did not let his lowly circumstances deter him from chasing his passion for football as he was brought to Lagos to join Mavlon FC where his skills were properly honed.

“His father and mother are both hunters and farmers. They both farm and hunt in the village,” Raymond Hassan, Chief Scout of Mavlon FC, told Soccernet.ng's Ayomide Oguntimehin in 2023, when the player starred for Nigeria at the CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Agada is a little boy we picked from Otukpo, Benue State, and we took him to Lagos, where we put him through school [Palmvill College, Lagos] and tried to develop his football skills,” Hassan said.

He added: “When he first arrived, he couldn’t speak English well. But he is presently doing quite well.”

Viarreggio Cup revelation

Agada’s talent shone when he played for Mavlon at the 2023 Viareggio Cup in Italy. He scored two goals that year and was called up to the Nigeria U17s.

A year later, Agada’s eight goals took Mavlon to the semi-finals. He finished as the highest goal scorer behind another Nigerian striker, Hafiz Umar Ibrahim of Ojodu City FC. Hafiz has since signed for Stade Reims in France’s Ligue 1.

Agada’s future is bright. He helped Nigeria win the WAFU B U20 Cup to qualify for the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations last year.

He is expected to use the platform offered by NK Istra to show his worth to the European football market.