The coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has penciled down Hull City defender Calvin Okiki to be scouted for the U23 team, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Chelle who also doubles as the head coach of the Olympic team has drawn up a list of potential foreign based players for the team, and the young defender is in it.
Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, he hasn’t been capped at any level by the country of his birth making him eligible to represent Nigeria, without a switch of nationality process.
The Eighteen-year-old is tipped for a bright future at Hull City and signed his first professional contract in the summer, a two-year deal with the option of a third.
He largely featured for the under-21s last season, but was an unused substitute in a 2-0 win over Norwich City in the Championship.
A left footed centre back he had a loan spell at National League club Hartlepool United this year, scoring within a minute on his senior debut. Although expected to stay largely with the under-21s in 2026-27, he has featured in Hull City’s friendly victories over Turkish sides Konyaspor and Caykur Rizespor, 3-0 and 2-1 respectively.
Okike won the academy player of the year award in 2025-26 and will be looking to push on into the first team this campaign.
Ade Emmanuel
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