Who Is Kofi Shaw And Why Is He In Demand?

Nowadays, it’s quite rare that a player comes into the Premier League from League One or League Two and has an instant impact. A lot of top flight future stars are now brought in from Europe, South America or the Championship, making it harder and harder for young, homegrown talents to make it in the big time. In the last two transfer windows, there have been no signings made by Premier League teams from players in the third and fourth tiers of English football, however this summer could be different.

Who Is Kofi Shaw?

Born in 2006, Kofi Shaw doesn’t turn 19 until the end of this year. The 18-year-old midfielder currently plays for Bristol Rovers, having come through the West Brom academy before being released at 15. There was some interest around him from Premier League clubs, as he had performed well in the FA Youth Cup in December 2022, however he joined the Bristol Rovers academy in 2023.

At the end of the 2023/24 season he was named as the Under 18s Player of the Season, and subsequently made his senior debut on the final match week, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 loss to Wigan. He was a part of the first team for the following pre-season and made his first senior start for the club in the EFL Trophy, scoring a goal in a 3-3 draw against Tottenham U21s.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🔥 | Kofi Shaw (17, AM) showed his talent for Bristol Rovers vs Bolton!

▫️ Won a penalty
▫️ 2 successful dribbles
▫️ 8 duels won
▫️ 2/2 tackles won

At just 17, one to keep an eye on! 👀✨ pic.twitter.com/kIoFDlwNXN

— U21 FC (@TheU21FC) March 12, 2025

In order to get more first team minutes he joined Yeovil Town on loan in October 2024 and impressed in his short time at the club. The loan was initially supposed to be until January however that was extended for the whole season. When Bristol City’s new manager, Inigo Calderon, came in, he recalled Shaw from his loan and said that he would be an important part of his team.

Bristol Rovers In Danger?

Rovers have been struggling in the league for some time now, both this season and last, and in their current form, could be looking at relegation into the fourth tier. They have lost their last five games in a row, scoring just twice in that time while conceding 11. Shaw has been playing in an attacking midfield role since he returned from his loan spell, but is capable of playing off the left as well.

Inigo Calderon admits he feels "sorry" for 18-year-old starlet Kofi Shaw with the teenager now one of Bristol Rovers' key players as the Gas look to avoid relegation to League Two. #UTG 🔵⚪️

Read here 👇https://t.co/IITdDW0E2z

— Bristol Rovers Live (@BristolLiveBRFC) April 10, 2025

His stats this season haven’t been breathtaking, but on the ball he has stood head and shoulders above the rest of his team and it is evident that he has the raw skill and ability that cannot be taught. It is possible that he could be turned into a centre forward or a second striker in the future, as he played a few games in that position with Yeovil earlier in the campaign and that was where he has been most productive, scoring twice and registering an assist.

Who Wants Shaw?

Burnley

Despite their embarrassing relegation from the Premier League last season and their slow and almost boring approach to the Championship at times this season, it is clear that Burnley are wanting to build for their future. The recent signing of James Trafford and Maxime Esteve in recent years is proof of this, however they still have a lack of talent coming through their reserve teams. Shaw would be an excellent signing for the club as he can go into their development squad and be ready for first team football in a year or so, whether that be in the Championship or the Premier League.

Brighton

Brighton’s recruitment over the last few years has been one of the best in the world. It is rare for them to sign a player from an English club, and when they do, it is usually from the Championship or even a fellow Premier League team. With the amount of young talent that they have at their disposal, it would come as no surprise if one or two left for big money in the summer, so the signing of Shaw from Bristol Rovers would be a good one for the future. Like a lot of Brighton’s talented youngsters, Shaw would likely go on loan for a season or two should he sign, to really prove his worth before breaking into the first team.

🚨| Brighton, Brentford and Burnley are all closely monitoring Bristol Rovers midfielder Kofi Shaw.

The 18-year-old was recalled from his loan at Yeovil Town in February and has since impressed for Inigo Calderon’s side. #BHAFC

[via @reluctantnicko] pic.twitter.com/HJypTw9RLJ

— The Brighton Base (@TheBrightonBase) April 7, 2025

Bournemouth

Like Brighton, Bournemouth’s recent transfer business has been heavily focused on the future. Even in January, they signed 20-year-old Julio Soler from Lanus, 18-year-old Matai Akinmboni from D.C. United and 18-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi from Lorient. Should Justin Kluivert continue his current form over the next few seasons, then he could see a big move come his way. Shaw won’t be ready to replace him any time soon, but he is similar to Kluivert in the way he plays; a winger, an attacking midfielder and even a second striker at times.

Bournemouth have made one signing from League One in recent years, purchasing James Hill from Fleetwood Town back in 2022. After two loan spells away from the club at Hearts and Blackburn, Hill is finally getting some game time in the Premier League, although that has mostly come because of injuries to other players. This shows the possible path to the first team that Shaw will have to take if he signs for Bournemouth.

Brentford, Southampton and Leeds have all shown an interest in Shaw in the past, but it seems as if these three teams are in the lead to capture his signature. There is also the possibility that Shaw stays at Bristol Rovers and really develops as a player in League One or League Two, however when Premier League teams start flashing the cash, lower division teams tend to be unable to refuse.