Westmeath's Deji joins Premier League club

Published: Wed 2 Feb 2022, 10:31 AM

Westmeath's Ayodeji ‘Deji’ Sotona has signed for English Premier League side Brentford on loan from Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.

The west London club has an option to buy former Mullingar Athletic starlet Sotona (19) at the end of the season.

The pacy winger, a graduate of Manchester United’s academy, will play in Brentford’s B team. He will link up with the club for their friendly against League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium on February 9.

“Deji has electrifying speed and we’ve been interested in him prior to his move to Nice,” said Neil MacFarlane, the manager of Brentford’s B side, regarding Deji’s arrival.

“Our recruitment team has done a fantastic job in producing a trial game recently with the highest performing players. He did really well and we're pleased to bring him in.

“It’s a good opportunity for Deji to keep his career moving forwards,” he added.

Before Christmas, Champions League holders Chelsea and Scottish giants Celtic were both interested in signing the teenager.

Sotona, who moved to Mullingar from his native Waterford as a child, attended the local Educate Together National School where he was part of the school team that won a Cumann na mBunscol boys’ Division 4 Gaelic football title in 2013.

He enjoyed success in athletics and soccer with Mullingar Harriers and Mullingar Athletic respectively. With Harriers, he won a Leinster indoor 60m U12 medal and an All-Ireland bronze medal in 2013. That same year, he ran the lead leg for the 4x100m relay (U12), where the team won a silver medal.

Sotona signed for Manchester United in his mid-teens and played in the English giants’ youth sides.

In 2019, it was revealed that the winger was the fastest player following speed tests at United’s Carrington training ground, with first team regular Diogo Dalot coming second.