20-year-old Limerick FC winger Chiedozie Ogbene looks set for a move to England with Aston Villa currently favourites to secure the exciting prospect.
The Irish Examiner are reporting Ogbene has had trials in England over the last month with numerous clubs, including Premier League winners Chelsea and Championship side Aston Villa. It is understood Aston Villa have a definite interest and will launch a bid over the next few weeks. Ogbene is contracted with Limerick until the 2018 season ensuring the Shannonsiders would be due a transfer fee should he leave.
Ogbene was born in Nigeria before his family moved to Cork in 2005. He graduated to the Cork City senior side quickly, making his first-team debut in 2015. Last January he signed for Limerick and scored eight goals as they comfortably avoided relegation, finishing seventh in the Airtricity League.
The right midfielder also spent two weeks on trial with Chelsea after the season finished. He was in sensational form this year, particularly during Limerick's 5-3 win against Bray last June when he landed a brace after two brilliant runs forward.
Eligible for both Ireland and Nigeria, the Cork-city graduate was also a talented Gaelic footballer, playing with Nemo Rangers until 2015. While always viewed as an exciting prospect in Cork and coming on during the 2016 FAI Cup Final he made the tough choice to leave his local club in pursuit of regular first-team football. That decision was very much vindicated last year.
Obgene's pace and dribbling ability would be a welcomed addition to a Villa squad already boasting the likes of Irishmen Scott Hogan, Conor Hourihane and Glen Whelan.
You can read the Irish Examiner report here.
