Nigeria's New Superstar - Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Born in Germany, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru chose to respect his roots and decided to feature for the Nigerian National Team.

This 23-year-old is a graduate of Manchester City’s youth academy, which he joined at the age of 8. While he struggled to rise to the star-studded ranks of Man City and with his chances of first-team football becoming bleak under Pep Guardiola, Dele-Bashiru took a permanent transfer to Sheffield Wednesday in July 2020 for an undisclosed fee.

He was a hot topic amongst second and third-division English league clubs back then and now he is set to deliver in Serie A with Lazio set to confirm his arrival soon.

🔵🦅 Lazio are closing in on deal to sign Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for €7m fee, now time for medical and final steps.

Hatayspor give the green light for Lazio target to leave, as called by @resatcan_ozbdak. 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/5DxWRjbnHi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 17, 2024

The experience with the Turkish side Hatayspor, where he finished last season as the club’s joint-top scorer along with Carlos Strandberg.

Being a midfielder, this is an incredible feat as this shows his versatility and ability to star in advanced roles despite his young age.

Dele-Bashiru is not expected to break into first-choice duties with the Biancocelesti upon his arrival but the tenacity he has shown in the Turkish Super Lig shows that he is ready to fight for and be in contention to start each match.

During his time with City, Guardiola was impressed by the Nigerian’s work rate and attitude. This is a feat for any developing player to receive praise from the Catalonian tactician.

Lazio will be getting a technically able and dynamic central midfield player who has immense versatility, though he impresses in his natural role of a box-to-box midfielder.

His passing vision and defensive awareness present him as an all-round package who can dictate the tempo of the game and act as an anti-counter if things get nasty.

Eight goals and three assists from last season was Dele-Bashiru’s career best and he has a 22 G/A as his all-time career statistics.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is wonderful player from Nigeria, he can score real goals. Watch him play pic.twitter.com/3YX1uTLQNf

— Tonna Romi (@Tonnaromi) June 17, 2024

One might agree that the numbers are not high enough and hyping him is not correct right now. It is worth noting that he is just 23 years old and he is yet to enter his prime years when he can provide Lazio with the return of the investment they have made in him.

Dele-Bashiru is one of the rising talents of Nigerian football and following the footsteps of Wilfred Ndidi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Alexander Iwobi, who are making a name for themselves in the top leagues of European Football.