Man Utd, Man City, Bayern Munich, Juventus… Port Vale loanee was the target of Europe’s biggest clubs when he was just 13 years old

West Ham striker Mipo Odubeko scored his third goal in Port Vale colours in front of just 1,000 fans on Tuesday evening. However, the teenager could be set for far more glamorous games than a Football League Trophy dead rubber in the future…

Odubeko joined on a season-long loan in August and has already netted three times from just four starts and four sub appearances in a highly encouraging start to his Valiants career.

It’s easy to forget that the striker is aged just 19 years of age – equivalent to many of the Wolves U21 players facing the Valiants in Tuesday night’s game – but he already looks to have a hugely promising future in the game.

According to The 42 website, Odubeko was a highly sought-after youngster when the thirteen year-old forward played for a U15s South of Ireland XI. His performance in that game prompted a contract offer from Premier League giants Manchester City which the family eventually turned down. Next it was the turn of City’s neighbours Manchester United, who also submitted an offer. However, concerned by the convoluted path from youth team to senior side, United were also turned down. At this point, many of Europe’s top sides were circling with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, Bayern Munich, and Juventus reportedly among them – but he stayed in England, signing for West Ham having sought assurances on a suitable trajectory to the first team.

The striker has indeed featured for the Hammers first-team making his debut in an FA Cup win over Stockport County in January 2021. The club have clearly been carefully managing his career since – with the striker sent for loan spells with Huddersfield Town and Doncaster Rovers before joining the Valliants this summer.

The signing is something of a coup for the Valiants but perhaps not surprising as other recent loan arrivals (such as Ryan Edmondson and Kian Harratt) also enjoyed productive spells with the club. The club have had to work hard to attract quality youngsters. Since the arrival of Darrell Clarke and Andy Flitcroft at Vale Park, the Valiants have made strenuous efforts to make Vale Park an attractive venue for promising youngsters on loan. Flitcroft told the local media in the summer that “I think the word has gone out that Port Vale looks after players – technically, tactically and physically but also psychologically with that social support for players.”

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…

It does seems to be the case as West Ham have entrusted the club with one of its prized youngsters. Manager Darrell Clarke was clearly delighted with the move telling the club website at the time: “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.”

If he does that this season, both clubs and the player will understandably be delighted – perhaps turning down both Manchester giants was the right response after all?