Ibrahim Hafiz Umar is on the verge of securing a permant move to Chelsea after an impressive trial that ended with a hat-trick in front of club owner Todd Boehly.
Chelsea confirmed their intention to sign Umar following his standout performance during the final week of his trial that started in April.
The 18-year-old striker’s journey from Kano, has been a move from poverty to a potential Premier League star.
Speaking in Luca, Italy, earlier this year, Umar shared how his difficult upbringing spurred his pursuit of a successful career in football.
According to Soccernet, Chelsea plans to sign Umar with a possibility of loaning him to their sister club, Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
However, if there is room on the roster after the summer transfer window, he may remain at Stamford Bridge as the club looks to rebuild for the upcoming season.
During his trial, Umar split his time between Chelsea’s first team and the U19s.
His hat-trick on the final day clinched the decision for Chelsea to proceed with his signing.
Negotiations with his home club Ojodu City FC, have been ongoing. Initially, Ojodu asked for £2 million, but the final fee is expected to be around £1.5 million.
The amount ensures that all clubs involved in Umar’s development receive compensation.
The young talent was born and brought up in Kano. His talent earned him the name “Dan Mama,” as his friends call him.
Umar gained global attention after scoring 10 goals and becoming the top scorer at the 2024 Viareggio Cup in Italy.
His performance helped Ojodu City FC reach the semifinals, attracting interest from several clubs, including Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.
Despite a lucrative offer from Bodo, worth around €500,000, Umar opted for Chelsea after being contacted by Chelsea’s scouting director Joe Shields and star forward Raheem Sterling.
