Lateef Omidiji Explained

Lateef Omotola Omidiji Jr. (born 14 September 2003) is a soccer player who plays as a forward.^[3] Born in the United States, he has represented both the US and Nigeria at youth international level.

Early and personal life

Omidiji was born in Las Vegas to a Nigerian father (who is Muslim) and an American mother.^{[4] [5]} His sister is Sophia Omotola Omidiji.^[5] In June 2017 he described himself as a "straight A student" who had received an award from President Obama for his grades.

Club career

Omidiji began his career at the age of 5 with the Rainbow Youth Soccer League in Las Vegas. At the age of 10 he was described as a "soccer prodigy".^[6]

He moved from FC Dordrecht to Feyenoord in 2017.^[7] He later moved to Go Ahead Eagles.^{[8] [9]}

In November 2020 it was announced that Omidiji had returned to the United States to attend high school in Las Vegas, and had signed a letter of intent with the UNLV Rebels.^{[2] [10]} he scored 1 goal in 16 games in the 2021 season.^[11]

International career

Omidiji is eligible to represent the United States and Nigeria.^[12]

After representing the United States at under-14, under-15 and under-16 levels, he began playing for Nigeria under-15s in May 2018.^[13] He is also eligible to represent the Netherlands.^[14] In 2019 he was dropped by the Nigeria under-17s.^[15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Meet 15-yr old wonder kid who turned down America to play for Nigeria. 21 August 2018. Pulse Nigeria.
2. Web site: Las Vegas Native, International Standout Lateef Omidiji Jr Signs With Rebels. University of Nevada Las Vegas Athletics. 11 November 2020 .
3. Web site: Lateef Omidiji Jr hangs out with Neymar, Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez | Goal.com. www.goal.com.
4. Web site: Lateef Omidiji, who once played soccer in his home country of Nigeria, speaks about his son, 10-year-old Lateef Omidiji Jr., with the Review-Journal before Omidiji Jr.'s soccer practice at Russell …. Las Vegas Review-Journal.
5. Web site: Revelation of 14-year-old Nigerian American wonder kid that may lead Golden Eaglets in 2019. 5 September 2017. 4 October 2018. Yusuf Akinlotan. iWitness.
6. Web site: Las Vegas soccer prodigy, 10, in scouts' sights. 18 May 2014.
7. Web site: Feyenoord troeft Engelse topclubs af en trekt Omidiji (13) aan. 30 March 2017. 4 October 2018. Dutch. FR12.
8. Web site: Nottingham Forest could miss out on highly-rated striker, here's why – opinion. 7 May 2019. Vital Nottingham Forest.
9. Web site: Trainingsstage voor jeugdspeler Lateef Omidiji bij Nigeria Onder-17. 16 February 2019.
10. Web site: International standout Lateef Omidiji Jr. signs with Rebels men's soccer team. Sadë. Mills. 11 November 2020. KSNV.
11. Web site: Lateef Omidiji Jr - Men's Soccer. University of Nevada Las Vegas Athletics.
12. Web site: Lateef Omidiji Jr.: Meet the 12-year-old prodigy that could spark a bidding war between Nigeria and the US | Goal.com. www.goal.com.
13. Web site: Feyenoord prodigy Lateef Omidiji Jr. gets Nigeria U15 call-up. 25 May 2018. 4 October 2018. Shina Oludare. Goal.com.
14. Web site: INTERVIEW: Nothing scares me on the football pitch, I'm like a pit bull, says Omidiji Jnr. 26 June 2017. 18 October 2018. Remi Sulola. The Cable.
15. Web site: Go Ahead Eagles' Lateef Omidiji Dropped From Nigeria U17 Roster After Failing To Impress Coaches :: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal. www.allnigeriasoccer.com.