Chido Obi-Martin: Things to know about the Man Utd prodigy

Nowadays, academy signings are met with significant fanfare across the social media sphere.

Football Manager disciples were already familiar with the the thrill of recruiting the world’s best wonderkids but it’s a glee that has now transferred into the actual game.

Chido-Obi Martin is one of said prodigies who has already emerged as a celebrity in Manchester after the Red Devils secured the services of one of the game’s most highly-anticipated young whippersnappers.

Old Trafford has proven a fruitful nursery for some of the most exceptional talents witnessed in British football over the past half-century and Man Utd supporters will be hopefu Obi-Martin can follow a similar path.

Here’s everything you need to know about the superstar in the making.

Born and raised in the suburbs of Denmark, Obi-Martin made the move to England in 2020 aged 13. The teenager represented local club KB (Kjobenhavns Boldklub) during his formative years in Denmark and actually moved to the United Kingdom with his mother as she pursued a career in nursing.

Obi-Martin and his family were only meant to stay in England for a few years but those plans were dashed when Arsenal signed the youngster on a scholarship in 2022. The 6’2 striker quickly established himself as a keen goal-getter in north London and he even scored a hat-trick on his debut for the Under-18s aged just 15.

Mikel Arteta was swiftly informed about Obi-Martin’s potential and the wonderkid joined up with Arsenal’s senior squad for several training sessions in November 2023. At the same time he was continuously starring for Arsenal’s youth teams, even scoring a staggering ten times in a 14-3 victory over Liverpool with the Under-16s.

However, despite blossoming with the Gunners, 16-year-old Obi-Martin took the decision to leave the capital.

Man Utd completed the impressive signing of Obi-Martin in early October 2024 but it was long known that the striker was going to move to Old Trafford for the next stage of his career. It was a major coup for the Red Devils, poaching the wonderkid from rivals Arsenal.

Speaking after his signing was officially announced: “Very happy to sign with this amazing club, time to focus and achieve all my dreams. Thanks to everyone who has helped me get this far.”

Man Utd are already aware that they have a superstar on their hands. Obi-Martin made his first start for the club’s Under-18s on Saturday 26 October and scored a hat-trick within the first 15 minutes of the 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

He scored after just 13 seconds after he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home, producing another excellent finish four minutes later. He completed his treble from close range in the 14th minute to announce himself to the Man Utd supporters in some style.

Considering Obi-Martin is part Nigerian, it’s hardly surprising that the young striker has been compared to Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen. Both are tall and powerful with a keen eye for goal, and Man Utd would be absolutely delighted if the 16-year-old could replicate what Osimhen has achieved already in his career.

Speaking about Obi-Martin previously, Denmark Under-17s boss Jesper Mikkelsen offered some insight about the forward, stating: “When you look at Chido, he doesn’t look like someone who hasn’t turned 16 yet. First of all, he has a physique that is really advantageous as a football player.

“He is big and strong, but he is also reasonably agile. He is good at sticking to the game, but he is actually also good at challenging and dribbling himself.”

Obi-Martin has an array of options on the international stage. He is eligible to represent Denmark, Nigeria and England and he has already featured for the youth teams of two of said nations.

Kicking off his international career with Denmark’s Under-16s – scoring four in eight matches – Obi-Martin made several appearances for England’s Under-16s as well. However, he has since switched allegiances back to Denmark, representing the nation at the Under-17 UEFA European Championship.

Obi-Martin featured in the Team of the Tournament after scoring twice in three matches as Denmark reached the quarter-finals.

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