English Premiership club, Chelsea FC, Sunday opened up the possibility of giving Nigeria defender, Kenneth Omeruo, the opportunity to play full-time football for the club after a loan spell outside England, as he was given jersey number 51.
It was gathered was an associate of the Super Eagles Nations Cup star that: “Kenneth has passed his medical test at Chelsea and his training shirt number is 51.
“It is the reward of our hard work and belief in the player since he was coming through the Nigeria U-17s.”
This is a massive break for the young central defender against a backdrop of doubts back in Nigeria that he may not be in the plans of Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old Omeruo was not part of the Chelsea squad to a pre-season training tour of the United States of America and his arrival to London was delayed by the late issuance of an entry visa to the United Kingdom.
The former Sunshine Stars of Akure defender has already been granted a five-year work permit in Britain.
He was on a season and half loan deal from Chelsea to Dutch club ADO Den Haag.
Early this year, the former Nigeria U17 and U20 star made his full international debut and went on to break into the first team as Nigeria won a third Africa Cup of Nations crown in South Africa.
A number of English Premier League sides led by Liverpool are considering a loan deal for young Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo.
Liverpool, Swansea and West Bromwich Albion are all keen to have the central defender on a season-long loan.
The 19-year-old Omeruo has been granted a five-year work permit by the British Home Office.
Omeruo has started training with the Chelsea reserves and will resume with the main team on their return from pre-season training in the United States of America.
Omeruo said: “I’m happy to be at Chelsea and I’m really looking forward to begin training with the main squad when they are back from the US.”
