Meet Highly Rated Dortmund’s Teenage Sensation With Nigerian Origin

Pharell Nnamdi Collins is one of Europe’s best rated defenders in his age grade.

At just 16, he is highly revered and sought after in the European football circle, a reality that has ensured Borrusia Dortmund pulled all stops to get him to extend his contract in May.

Collins, born in Germany is also eligible for Nigeria. He has been representing Germany’s U-17 for sometime and is yet to have a full debut with the Borussia Dortmund seniors, yet is very well rated.

Strong interests from Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus led to the Black and Yellows intensifying efforts in tying the youngster down to a new three-year deal.

According to the official website of Borussia Dortmund, it quoted the club’s youth coordinator Lars Ricken as saying: “We’re very happy that in Nnamdi, BVB have retained the services of an outstanding talent in German youth football for the long term.”

Sporting director Michael Zorc added: “We want to gradually ease Nnamdi towards the professional squad and give him the time to develop.”

Nnamdi Collins is upbeat about the big future he has at the Signal Iduna Park after signing the deal that will keep him at the club till 19.

“I’ve now been playing for BVB since I was 12 and I owe the club a lot. My objective is to turn professional at BVB and to play in front of the South Stand at some point. I’m really thankful for the way that all of my previous coaches, my family and my advisors have supported me, and I’m really looking forward to the coming years at BVB, ” he said.

Collins has been described by his coaches as a very powerful player, whose speed is his biggest weapon.

He has been identified as a player who runs 30 metres in only 3.8 seconds – just 0.1 seconds slower than Arsenal’s Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

At 6’1”, he has a ready frame for the big stage already and is looking on to make his debut for Borussia Dortmund this season.

When he does not feature for the U-17, he captains the German U-16 team.