AFCON 2025
Nigeria-eligible defender Idris Fabiyi has taken a major step in his career after signing his first scholarship contract with Manchester United, further cementing his place among the club’s brightest young prospects.
The Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday that Fabiyi is one of 15 academy players to receive first-year scholarship contracts ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Under Premier League regulations, players under the age of 17 begin the season on scholarship terms before becoming eligible to sign professional contracts once they turn 17.
Fabiyi joins an impressive scholarship class that also includes Kai Rooney, the son of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, and Jacey Carrick, whose father Michael Carrick enjoyed a decorated career at Old Trafford.
The group is expected to travel to Germany as part of a Professional Development Phase training camp, continuing their development within one of England’s most respected academies. Manchester United’s youth system has produced several top talents in recent years, including Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford.
Rising Nigerian prospect
Fabiyi, who is eligible to represent both England and Nigeria through his family, has steadily progressed through Manchester United’s academy ranks.
The young defender featured for the club at the SuperCup NI youth tournament in Northern Ireland and was part of the Under-15 side that lifted the Premier League Floodlit Cup, further underlining his growing reputation within the academy.
His inclusion among the club’s 15 scholarship recipients highlights the confidence Manchester United have in his potential and puts him firmly on the radar as one of the Nigerian-eligible youngsters to watch in Europe.
Although he is also eligible to play for England, Fabiyi has shown signs of maintaining close ties with Nigeria. His social media activity includes following both the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles striker **Victor Osimhen>, a detail that will encourage Nigerian fans hoping to see him represent the country in the future.
At just 16, Fabiyi’s scholarship deal marks another important milestone in what could become a promising career for both club and country.
