Jayden Ogbebor: Ireland-Nigeria forward steps up to Stoke City U21 from U18s

Ireland-Nigeria centre-forward Jayden Ogbebor has joined Stoke City U21 from the club’s U18 side as he moves up into Premier League 2 football. The 18-year-old attacker links up with the under-21 squad after progressing through the ranks at Stoke, where he has been part of the youth set-up in recent seasons.

Ogbebor, who was born on 4 January 2008, makes the step after a prolific spell in the U18 Premier League. He scored 19 goals and added two assists in 45 appearances at that level, averaging a goal roughly every 131 minutes across 2,495 minutes of action. His elevation to the U21s follows two years of steady advancement inside the club’s academy structure.

The forward initially moved from Stoke’s academy group into the U18s ahead of the 2024-25 campaign and has since featured across domestic youth competitions, including the Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup. He has already had a brief taste of Premier League 2 football, making eight appearances and featuring for 157 minutes in the division prior to this permanent promotion.

Capable of leading the line as a central striker, Ogbebor will now compete regularly in Premier League 2 as part of Stoke City’s development squad. His move from the U18s to the U21 team is confirmed from 15 July 2026.