Senegal youngster Serigne Afia Ndao monitored by several foreign clubs

Senegalese defender Serigne Afia Ndao is attracting interest from several European and Saudi clubs after impressing during trials with English sides Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace.

The young defender, who plays for Be Sport Academy, has reportedly caught the attention of clubs following his recent training spells with the reserve teams of the two English clubs.

According to Be Sport Academy, Ndao’s performances during the sessions impressed the coaching staff at both Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace.

The 2025 WAFU A U17 tournament winner has since emerged as a player being monitored by a number of clubs outside Senegal.

Be Sport Academy says Newcastle United, Wolverhampton, Burnley, Benfica and Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah are among the teams keeping an eye on the defender.

Ndao’s recent experience in England has added to the interest surrounding the young player. His training spells with Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace gave him an opportunity to work within the clubs’ reserve setups and demonstrate his ability to coaches.

The defender’s progress has also placed him in contention for Senegal’s next major youth assignment.

Ndao is reportedly expected to be part of Lamine Sané’s squad preparing for the Under 17 World Cup in Qatar.

If selected for the tournament, the competition could provide another platform for the Be Sport Academy player to attract interest from clubs abroad.

His involvement would also give foreign clubs another opportunity to assess his development on the international stage.

For clubs that have already shown interest, the tournament could become another point at which they evaluate whether to pursue the player further.

If Ndao does not make the final squad, his club believes there could still be opportunities for him to travel abroad for additional trials.

Several clubs are therefore monitoring his situation as he continues his development with Be Sport Academy.

Despite the growing interest, there has been no official transfer announcement involving Ndao.

For now, the young defender remains with Be Sport Academy, while his recent trials in England and reported interest from clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia underline the attention surrounding his development.

His next step could depend on his progress with Senegal’s Under 17 side and whether further opportunities arise with clubs interested in assessing him.