Port Vale confirm signing of West Ham striker on loan
Port Vale have confirmed the signing of West Ham youngster Mipo Odubeko on a season-long loan.
The teenager has made two senior appearances for the West Ham side and also spent a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers last season.
Statement
Port Vale Football Club is delighted to confirm that Mipo Odubeko will join on a season-long loan from West Ham United.
Highly rated, upcoming striker Odubeko spent the early years of his career coming through the academy ranks at Manchester City and then Manchester United, representing the Under-18 side for the latter twice and scoring once, before moving to the London Stadium in 2019.
The 19-year-old has shone for the Hammers’ Under-23 team, making a name for himself as a prolific scorer in Premier League 2, netting 17 goals in 19 games for the side, whilst also notching 11 goals in 9 games for their Under-18’s.
Born near Dublin, Ireland, Odubeko has also been involved by David Moyes with the West Ham first team match day squad on 18 occasions, making his debut for them against Stockport County in an Emirates FA Cup victory.
Odubeko, who turned out for the Irons in the following round of the cup against Manchester United, spent the first half of last season on loan at Championship outfit Huddersfield Town.
In January the six-foot forward joined Doncaster Rovers in League One on loan, scoring twice and assisting once for Donny.
Odubeko has also represented his national team at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-21 level, scoring on his second cap for the Under-21’s in a 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The forward who can play on the left, right or down the middle is capable of finding the net with either foot and poses a threat in the air, arrives at Vale Park having made 54 career appearances, scoring 31 goals and assisting five.
Quotes
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke said: “Mipo gives us a great option in the attacking line, he offers us a different skillset to the other strikers we already have at the club.
“He’s a striker who loves to stretch the line and has that pace to be able to run in behind and he’s heralded as a massive talent at West Ham.
“His pace will offer other dimensions to our play, and he loves to run in behind a defence, much like Kian Harratt did for us last season, they’re very similar in that sense, in that they love to stretch the game which is something that we needed in our arsenal.
“We knew what style of forward we wanted to add, and he fits the bill, arriving here with a very good goalscoring record at youth level and at only 19 we have plenty of work to do with him and I’m sure he’s a player who will excite the fans.
“He arrives here having already had a couple of loans and I think following on from those previous experiences he’ll be able to really kick on and develop here with us this year.
“He’s still a young lad and I’m really looking forward to helping him to further his career.”
Mipo Odubeko Factfile
Age: 19
Clubs: West Ham
Loans: Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town
Appearances: 25
Goals: 4
Big man Jim
26th August 2022 @ 6:34 pm
Promising signing hopefully turns out good
Valiant in exile
26th August 2022 @ 6:34 pm
Great signing should shake up a few slow defenders
jack Potts
26th August 2022 @ 10:38 pm
Building a squad of quality players ,all fighting for a place on the match day team sheet.progress in my opinion. Well done vale staff.