It’s all adding up for Nedum

It’s all starting to add up to a highly successful career in football for one of Manchester City’s academy scholars and playing prospects..

Versatile Nedum Onuoha achieved three A grade A levels in Business Studies, Information Technology and Maths. “I’ve always enjoyed maths and possibly even had an interest in figures before football,” he admits.

Nedum’s playing career has unfortunately been blighted by injury – but even so, he has earned international recognition for England at both under 20 and under 21 level. He also came on as a substitute for City at West Ham on the opening day of the season and promptly created his side’s second goal.

Peter Lowe, the club’s Head of Education, feels that Nedum’s career will really take off. “He’s one of the most level headed lads I’ve known and an absolute pleasure to work with. It’s a pity he’s had injury problems of late, but I’m sure he’s one of those who will go on to make a success of life both on and off the field.”

City’s former assistant manager, Steve Wigley, says that it is another example of the club bringing a young player through the ranks – as has happened with Micah Richards. “Nedum is very much like Micah – he can play at right back, centre back and left back. They are both versatile and very hard to beat.

“There’s a fantastic academy at City which works the area probably better than any side in the north. It gets easier to attract kids when they see the likes of Micah, Nedum, Joey Barton and Ishmael Miller all making it through from the academy. To try and buy players of that quality costs you millions.”

Having played with a number of the young players in the first team squad over a period of years now, Nedum is fully aware of their capabilities and expects more to follow. “I think my ambition over the next few years could be to have a City side made up of my academy team from a few years ago – I think we’d do alright!

“There will be even more youngsters coming through such as Danny Sturridge and Michael Johnson who are both quality players. I don’t think there’s a bad player at the academy.”

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