Stade de Reims signs Nigerian striker Agbedoye

Stade de Reims has signed Nigerian forward Abdoulaye Agbedoye from Grassrunners FC. This follows his great performance in the Nigerian youth league.

Agbedoye, 18, is seen as one of Nigeria's top young talents. He scored 19 goals in 19 matches and won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards in the Nigerian Youth League Cup.

He is a strong striker, standing at 1.95 meters tall. His style of play and physical presence have led to comparisons with Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

Agbedoye's strong performance also got him a spot in Nigeria’s U-20 team for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship. The Flying Eagles finished second after losing to Burkina Faso in the final.

Many clubs in Europe showed interest in him during the transfer window. Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, and Brentford were among those keeping an eye on his progress. A move to Nottingham Forest would have allowed him to play with fellow Nigerian and Super Eagles defender Ola Aina.

But the young player has decided to continue his growth in France. He agreed to join Reims, starting with the club’s youth team before aiming for the senior squad.

“The Stade de Reims is pleased to announce the signing of Abdoulaye Agbedoye. The 18-year-old Nigerian striker joins the Espoirs Group of Reims Révélations,” said the French club 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 is the second player from Grassrunners FC to join Reims this summer. His former teammate Raphael Itotomi Godwin joined earlier.

Now, Agbedoye will join Reims’ U19 team as he starts this new phase of his career. The French club hopes to help him grow into a senior international and one of Nigeria's top footballers.