Leeds United have pulled off a significant transfer swoop, securing the signing of Super Eagles teenage defender Leonard Ngenge on a deal until 2027.
The 18 year old centre back arrives at Thorp Arch from Nigerian champions Remo Stars, with the Premier League club confirming the move for their academy set up on their official website. Ngenge’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, catapulting from the Nigerian top flight to the English game within a year, all while already earning two senior caps for his country.
Despite his youth, Ngenge carries a surprising amount of experience. He made 25 league appearances for Ikorodu City last season before his 2025 move to Remo Stars, where he scored on his CAF Champions League debut. It was that rapid ascent, combined with his international exposure, that convinced Leeds’ recruitment team to act.
“Leeds United are pleased to announce the signing of Leonard Ngenge, who joins the club’s Academy after penning a deal until the end of the 2026/27 season,” the club stated. “The defender makes the move from Nigeria having made seven appearances this term for Remo Stars FC.”
International Baptism of Fire
Ngenge’s journey is marked by a dramatic, if bumpy, introduction to the international stage. He made his full Nigeria debut at just 17 in a 1-0 defeat to Senegal, playing the entire match. His second cap, however, was a brutal lesson in a heavy loss to Sudan, where he conceded a penalty and scored an own goal in a difficult 45 minute outing.
While that performance meant he missed out on Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad, Leeds’ hierarchy are understood to value the sheer experience of competing at that level so young. They believe his resilience and raw talent are the perfect clay to mould in their development system.
The Long Term Project at Elland Road
The Nigerian starlet will begin his journey in the academy, but the pathway to the first team is a clear part of the pitch that brought him to West Yorkshire. The club sees him as a long term project with high potential, and he could soon be rubbing shoulders with veterans like player coach Jonny Howson in under 21 sessions, an invaluable education for a young defender.
His signing also writes a new chapter in the club’s limited history with Nigerian talent. Ngenge becomes only the third Super Eagle to join Leeds, following in the footsteps of Enoch Showunmi and Sam Sodje over 15 years ago.
For Leeds, it’s a statement of intent in the global market, snatching a highly rated prospect whose career is on a sharp upward trajectory. For Ngenge, it’s the chance of a lifetime, a Premier League platform to learn from a tough start and build towards a formidable future. The Elland Road faithful will be watching his progress closely.
