New 'prodigy' joins Man Utd: Scores 10 goals against U16 Liverpool, refuses to stay at Arsenal
VTC News•04/10/2024
Chido Obi-Martin once caused a stir on social media with his goal-scoring videos for Arsenal's youth team. In November 2023, he scored 10 goals against Liverpool U16, helping Arsenal U16 crush their opponents 14-3. Between March and May 2024, Chido Obi-Martin scored 28 goals in 10 matches in the Premier League U18, achieving an efficiency of 2.8 goals/match.
Considered a top talent at Hale End, Obi-Martin turned down a professional contract from Arsenal in the summer of 2024. He accepted an offer from Man Utd, and will move to Carrington to play for the U18 team from the 2024-25 season. Who is Chido Obi-Martin? Chido Obi-Martin was born on November 29, 2007 in Copenhagen, Denmark. His father is Nigerian and his mother is Danish. When he was 13, Obi-Martin's family moved to London so his mother could study nursing. Chido was followed by his younger brother Chuck. Initially, the family only planned to go to England for 2 years, but the plan was completely changed when Arsenal offered Obi-Martin a full scholarship in 2022. He joined Arsenal's youth academy, playing football at 5 different levels. Chido shone for Arsenal's U18 team, scoring 32 goals in 18 games for Arsenal in the U18 Premier League. Before moving to England, Obi-Martin played very well for Copenhagen's youth teams.
Obi-Martin scored 10 goals, helping Arsenal U16 beat Liverpool U16 with a score of 14-3.
He was called up to the Danish U17 national team while playing for Arsenal, and was nominated by UEFA for the U17 EURO Team of the Tournament. Overall, Chido Obi-Martin's CV before moving to Man Utd was quite impressive. In the summer of 2024, he signed a sponsorship deal with sports brand Adidas. Currently, more than 200,000 people are following Chido Obi-Martin on Instagram. Man Utd will likely sign a professional contract with Chido before the winter transfer window, as he will turn 18 in November. The fee Man Utd paid to Arsenal to own this young star has not been disclosed. What is special about Man Utd's new recruit? Chido Obi-Martin has a superior physique compared to his peers. He is nearly 1m90 tall, but is not slow at all. Chido's upper body is actually quite slim, which is beneficial when he accelerates short distances. According to scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen, Obi-Martin is the type of player who likes to run behind the opposing defenders: "He knows how to use his body very well. He is fast, and most of Chido's goals come from long passes from the back. He is very sensitive in breaking the offside trap. Chido's ability to move without the ball is really special."
Obi-Martin is comprehensive from running skills to finishing.
He also revealed Chido's "secret weapon" when attacking is to stand in front of the defender, then turn around and sprint, leaving the opposing defender behind. When facing goalkeepers, Chido also showed a calmness rarely seen in a young player. "Obi-Martin's calm finishing skills are really special. Unlike players of the same age, he is never in a hurry in front of the goal. Chido is very focused when finishing. He chooses the optimal option for each situation," Karlsen added. At Man Utd, Chido Obi-Martin learned his shooting skills from assistant Ruud Van Nistelrooy - who scored 150 goals for Man Utd, known as the "penalty box killer". If he plays well in Man Utd's youth teams, Chido Obi-Martin will have the opportunity to play in the first team.
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