Akinjide idowu

Former Golden Eaglets star, Akinjide Idowu, has joined United States third tier club,  Portland Timbers 2 on a two-year deal with an option of a one-year extension.

Idowu, a Kogi-state born midfielder,  was signed on after passing his medicals.

According to  Goal.com,  Portland Timbers announced the Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy product as its first signing ahead of the 2016 season,

“T2 announced the signing of midfielder Akinjide Idowu ahead of the 2016 USL season.

“Idowu joins the team after helping lead Nigeria to the Round of 16 in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Idowu at Portland Timber

“Idowu will be added to the roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per league and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed,” Goal quoted the club as saying in a statement.

“Akinjide is an experienced midfielder at the youth international level with a good skill set, and he will have a great opportunity to continue to develop in our system,” Gregor said.

Idowu featured in over 50 games for Nigeria at the U17 and U20 levels, playing in all six matches at the 2013 Caf U17 championship in Morocco.

In 2013, he helped Nigeria win a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates, appearing in all six matches at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

‘Magic 4’ as he is fondly called was also outstanding in the Flying Eagles progress to the knockout round of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in June, making three starts in the tournament.

Before his move to the US, he had conducted trials with Norwegian club Sogndal and Czech side Sparta Prague.

Idowu is poised to develop himself at T2 which is the reserve squad of the MLS champions, Portland Timbers with much sought Nigerian striker Fanendo Adi on its books.