Nehemiah Oriola Becomes Second Nigerian Teen to Appear in Premier League for Brighton.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s 18-year-old Super Eagles-eligible forward, Nehemiah Oriola, has officially made his Premier League debut, nearly two years after leaving Manchester United. The promising youngster was handed his first senior appearance on Saturday as Brighton cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Leeds United at the AMEX Stadium.
Oriola has been on the fringes of Brighton’s first team in recent weeks, earning call-ups for three consecutive Premier League matchday squads. He had previously been an unused substitute against Newcastle United and Manchester United, but manager Fabian Hürzeler finally gave him his debut during the third minute of stoppage time, replacing Georginio Rutter.
With Brighton already in control of the match; thanks to a first-half opener from Danny Welbeck and a second-half brace from Diego Gómez. Hürzeler took the opportunity to reward Oriola for his consistent performances in the youth setup.
Oriola joined Brighton on a scholarship deal in September 2023 following his release from Manchester United, where he spent three seasons developing through the academy ranks. Since joining Brighton, the attacker has impressed at youth level, registering five goal involvements in seven Premier League 2 appearances this campaign. His performances caught the attention of the first-team coaching staff, paving the way for his senior debut.
On social media, Oriola expressed his joy and gratitude, posting on Instagram: “Dreams to reality. Blessed to make my Premier League debut for @officialbhafc – All Glory To God.”
The youngster follows in the footsteps of another Nigerian talent, Odeluga Offiah, a former Golden Eaglets invitee who also featured for Brighton before securing a permanent move to Preston North End in July 2025. Oriola’s debut marks a significant step in his career and reinforces the growing presence of Nigerian talent in Europe’s top-flight football.
For the Super Eagles and Nigerian football fans, Oriola’s breakthrough represents a promising addition to the pool of young, homegrown-eligible talent making their mark abroad. With consistent opportunities and development, he could soon be knocking on the door of national team selection.
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