ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Former Flying Eagles invitee and Sheffield Wednesday’s new signing, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, has set his eyes on having a firm grip on the Championship side’s first team shirt.
The Nigerian box-to-box midfielder recently ended an eleven-year association with Manchester City, following his move to Hillsborough from the Etihad.
1stnewsonline.com learnt that Dele-Bashiru’s aim in the upcoming season is to force his way into Sheffield Wednesday’s first team.He said, “I’m honoured to sign for Sheffield Wednesday and I’m excited to be here.
“I’m at an age now where I want to be playing first team football and I am confident it will fall into place for me here.
“I know there are other players in the same position, but competition for places is a positive.
“My game is about power, strength and pace, I like to go box to box and I like taking on a shot too.”The manager has shown a desire to bring me to the club and that means a lot. He has a good CV and I’m sure this is the right platform for me at this stage of my career.”
A central midfielder by trade, Dele-Bashiru has been on the books of Manchester City since the age of eight, rising through the ranks before making his debut for the U18 team against Newcastle United in August 2017.
The 19-year-old trained with Man City’s first team on multiple occasions, but was unable to break into Pep Guardiola’s first team – and that necessitated his move to the Hillsborough Stadium, where he is expected to continue with his growth in football.
Last season, he appeared for the Citizens in the Premier League 2, UEFA Youth League and EFL Trophy, featuring in 24 games in total and scoring two goals.
He is represented by Nigerian agent, Ladi Salami, who helped look after Odion Ighalo, when he first moved to England, and he previously handled the affairs of Super Eagles stars, Isaac Success and Juwon Oshaniwa.
Dele-Bashiru joins one-time Nigeria target, Dominic Iorfa; former Olympic Eagles invitee, Osaze Urhoghide and Super Eagles hopeful, Moses Odubajo, at Sheffield Wednesday.Dele-Fisayo’s elder brother, Tom, also came through the ranks of Manchester City. However, he is currently with Watford, having joined the Hornets on a six-year-deal.
He will continue life at Vicarage Road next season following their relegation on Saturday.
He was also part of the Nigeria U20 team at the 2019 Fifa U20 World Cup in Poland and he scored a goal in three games before the Flying Eagles’ exit in the Round of 16.