Stade de Reims land another Nigerian youngster

French Ligue 2 side Stade de Reims have completed the signing of Nigerian teenage sensation Abdoulaye Agbedoye from academy side Grassrunners FC, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 18-year-old had been heavily linked with a move away from the academy following an impressive spell in Nigeria. Agbedoye finished as the top scorer with 19 goals in 19 games, winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the Nigerian Youth League Cup.

The young forward has earned comparisons to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland because of his playing style and was part of the Nigeria U20 squad that finished second at the 2026 WAFU B U20 competition, losing to hosts Burkina Faso in the final after an impressive campaign.

Agbedoye had been the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks, with Nottingham Forest among the clubs interested in him and a move to the Premier League side would have seen him link up with Super Eagles defender Ola Aina.

Crystal Palace, Brentford and several other European clubs were also linked with the talented Nigerian forward.

Stade de Reims announce Agbedoye’s arrival

Agbedoye has now chosen to continue his career in France with Stade de Reims, where he will initially join the club's youth team before working towards a promotion to the senior side.

“The Stade de Reims is pleased to announce the signing of Abdoulaye Agbejoye. The 18-year-old Nigerian striker joins the Espoirs Group of Reims Révélations”, the French club announced on their official website.

“Best scorer and best player of the Nigerian Youth League Cup last season with the Grassrunners FC academy, this one-meter 95-center forward will bring all his power and sense of goal to Anthony Weber's Espoirs group. The Nigerian U20 international finished the last year with 19 goals scored in as many matches.

“Like his compatriot Godwin Itotomi, who also arrived from the Nigerian academy a few weeks ago, Reims Révélations will offer him the ideal environment to continue his development and reach new levels at the highest level.”

Agbedoye joins Nigerian connection at Stade de Reims

The 18-year-old becomes the second Nigerian player to join Reims this summer after his former academy teammate, Raphael Itotomi Godwin, who also arrived from Grassrunners FC.

A source close to the player revealed that Agbedoye's decision to join Reims was mainly influenced by the opportunity to continue his development and secure regular playing time rather than financial considerations only.

“Money is not the motivation here for his move to France. There were other clubs that had better financial offers, but we have our eyes on the bigger picture,” the source said, via Footy-Africa.

“The player himself is happy to continue his development at a club that is renowned for developing young talents. He had offers from England, Belgium and Norway, but a lot has to be considered before a player can move.”

A superstar in the making

Agbedoye has enjoyed a remarkable rise in his career and has also been tipped by some to eventually become a long-term successor to Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles attack.

At just 18, the young striker has plenty of time to continue his development and establish himself as one of Nigeria's next generation of stars and there are also hopes that he could eventually play an important role for the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle.

“Abdoulaye is big, strong, has pace and an eye for goal. He reminds me of Didier Drogba or Erling Haaland, and I have no doubt he can become like some of the strikers I mentioned”, the source continued.

“All he needs is a good place to develop — somewhere with no pressure, so he can grow and show what he can do. The boy will play for Nigeria before he turns 21, I'm sure of that.”

“The nearest striker Nigeria have to him right now is Victor Osimhen. In fact, he'll be our new Osimhen soon, given how similar they are,” the source concluded.

Agbedoye will now link up with the Reims U19 side, where he will hope to continue his development and take the next step in his journey towards becoming one of Nigeria's biggest players for the future.