Nigerian-Born Shola Shoretire Signs First Professional Contract With Man United
Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Shola Shoretire, Nigerian-born UK-based forward, has signed his first professional contract with Manchester United.
The Red Devils broke the news in a statement on Monday evening.
The highly-rated diminutive teen, who is another product of the club’s academy system, has put pen to paper on a professional deal — barely a few days after turning 17.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce that Shola Shoretire has signed his first professional contract with the club,” the statement read in part.
“The England Under-16 international has been an important part of Neil Wood’s side this season, featuring 13 times in Premier League 2, scoring five goals and registering three assists.
“Shoretire will be looking to hone his talents behind the scenes and maintain his development at the club in the coming months and years.”
The skillful attacker, who joined Manchester United’s academy at the age of nine from Newcastle, has blossomed since his arrival.
He scored a hat-trick in the under-23s’ entertaining 6-4 win over Blackburn Rovers on Friday.
Who is Shoretire?
Born in Nigeria on February 2, 2004, Shoretire spent his early years in Newcastle and joined Wallsend Boys Club, a local youth set up before moving to Man United’s academy at the tender age of 9.
It is understood that the wonderkid who juggled his football career with GCSE studies rejected offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus to stay at Old Trafford.
Highly-rated at Manchester United, Blessed with quick feet, Shola Shoretire has been likened to Jay-Jay Okocha
Shoretire plays predominantly as a winger but has been used across all positions in attack, often as a centre forward this season.
The youngster has also been compared to Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Super Eagles of Nigeria legendary playmaker and dribbling wizard, for his ability to pick defence-splitting passes and dribbling skills.
Shoretire loves being on Instagram and has over 18,000 followers.
At 14 years and 314 days, he broke the Uefa Youth League record for the youngest-ever player when he featured for Man United in the club’s 2-1 win over Valencia in a competition reserved for under-19 teams.
The forward idolizes Marcus Rashford and has received advice from Mason Greenwood, the latest youngster to break into Man United’s first-team squad, but also admires the carefree, samba style of Ronaldinho.
“He was so confident in himself, he was skillful and had everything. If you’re not having fun on a pitch then there’s no point. I’m always going into a game thinking I’m going to do well,” he stated in a recent interview on UMM’s YouTube channel.
He is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
