French first
division side Monaco have won the race to sign the
Nigerian under-17 captain Lukman Haruna.
Haruna signs for the French club from Global Crystal
Academy in Nigeria for an undisclosed fee, on a
four-year contract and will join them in January.
The 17-year-old has helped Nigeria win the African and
World Under-17 titles this year.
He is understood to have also attracted interest from
Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Porto and Benfica.
He will
begin his first season as an apprentice, with the hope
of breaking into the Monaco first team by January 2009.
The player's agent, John Ola Shittu, said: "He was
watched by several clubs but has worked very hard to get
here."
"Despite interest from other clubs, we consulted with
the family and agreed that Monaco would be a good step
to develop his game.
"The deal is good for his career and financially too. He
is focused on breaking into the first team as soon as
possible, we're confident he will."
Haruna, who has been included in Nigeria's provisional
squad for the 2006 African Nations Cup in Ghana, is
keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
"I'm excited about the opportunity of signing for a big
club like Monaco," Haruna told BBC Sport.
"I have a big task ahead of me and I cannot afford to
let my family and friends down.
"This is where I've always wanted to be and I am
confident of proving myself because my target is to be a
successful footballer."
Source:
BBCsport.co.uk
