Nigeria international Ola Aina scored his first goal for Nottingham Forest as the Tricky Trees defeated West Ham United in the Premier League.
The Chelsea Academy graduate scored the third goal of the match as the hosts saw off the Hammers with a 3-0 victory.
Here, Futballnews takes a look an overview of the footballers’ career.
Who is Ola Aina?
Ola Aina is a versatile footballer known for his ability to play as a right-back, left-back, or wing-back. Born on October 8, 1996, in Southwark, London, Aina is a Nigerian international who began his career in the renowned Chelsea youth academy, where he quickly showed promise due to his speed, agility, and adaptability on both flanks.
Aina’s journey in football began at Chelsea, a club he joined at just 11 years old. He progressed through the ranks, representing the club at various youth levels. During his time with Chelsea’s academy, he won numerous titles, including the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League.
These achievements solidified his reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in English football. However, breaking into Chelsea’s first team was challenging due to the fierce competition for places and the club’s preference for experienced defenders.
Ola Aina’s first professional debut
In the 2016-17 season, Aina made his professional debut for Chelsea, participating in several games. However, his desire for regular first-team football led to a season-long loan move to Hull City in the Championship for the 2017-18 season. At Hull, Aina became a regular starter, appearing in 44 games and scoring one goal.
His performances were widely praised, as he showcased his athleticism, crossing ability, and defensive prowess. The loan spell was pivotal in developing his game and establishing him as a first-team-ready player.
After returning to Chelsea, Aina found himself still on the fringes of the first team and opted for another loan, this time joining Torino in Serie A in 2018. His first season in Italy was impressive, with his performances earning him a permanent move to the Italian club in 2019.
Aina quickly adapted to the tactical demands of Serie A, where he further developed his defensive skills and positional awareness. Known for his pace and dribbling, Aina became a crucial part of Torino’s squad, particularly valued for his versatility to play on either side of the pitch.
Move to Fulham
In 2020, Aina moved back to England on loan to join Fulham in the Premier League. During his time at Fulham, he played 31 games and scored two goals, including a stunning strike against West Bromwich Albion, which won the Premier League Goal of the Month for November 2020.
His performances in the Premier League were noteworthy, with Aina demonstrating his capability against some of the world’s top attackers.
Ola Aina international career
Internationally, Aina chose to represent Nigeria, the country of his heritage, despite being eligible for England. He made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2017 and was part of the squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished in third place.
He was also part of the team’s 2023 AFCON campaign, where they finished as runners-up, losing to Ivory Coast in the final.
Aina’s contributions have been valuable, and he remains an essential part of Nigeria’s defensive lineup, bringing experience from playing in top leagues.
Throughout his career, Ola Aina has been prolific for both club and country. He will hope to continue on top performance in the league and internationally.
