Former Nigeria U-20 Youth player Ibrahim Aliyu has left his Croatian first division side, Dynamo Zagreb, for a stint in the MLS.
The promising young Nigerian forward is set for a stint with USA elite division after he brokered a deal to join Houston Dynamo from Dynamo Zagreb.
Dynamo Zagreb and Houston Dynamo confirmed Aliyu has joined the MLS side and has signed a three-year contract that will see him stay at his new club until 2027.
There is also a two-year-contract extension clause attached to the deal which could be triggered at the end of his three-year deal.
This means the fast-rising Nigerian forward may likely stay at Houston Dynamo untill 2029 and could also renew his contract thereafter.
Speaking after the signing of the 21-year-old, Houston Dynamo general manager Pat Ornstad lauded the skills, qualities, and creativity of Ibrahim Aliyu.
According to him, the youngster will provide an attacking edge and momentum for Houston Dynamo.
He also commended his positioning and ability to function as a wide attacking midfielder, making him a perfect fit for Houston Dynamo.
“Ibrahim is a talented young player who provides another dynamic option to our attack,” he said.
“He is a Nigerian youth international capable of playing as a wide attacking midfielder or striker”.
Aliyu, who clocks 21 years this year, is joining the MLS side as part of the League’s U-22 initiative.
The Nigerian youngster will be featuring for Houston Dynamo U-22, leading the attack for the team.
Aliyu’s outstanding performance with Nigeria U-20 Youth team in 2019 made him a top target for Croatian club Lokomotiva Dynamo Zagreb.
He was signed at a very tender age of 18 in 2019 and has played for the club three years before this recent move to MLS.
In his three years spell with the club, he has made 84 appearances in all competitions, scoring 17 goals.
Ibrahim Aliyu is not the only Nigerian footballer that has been on the MLS transfer list in the last transfer window.
Nigeria forward and former Seattle Sounders striker Samuel Adeniran moved from Seattle Sounders to St. Louis City SC in the summer.
Adeniran, 24, nursed his football career at Spanish Segunda Division side, Leganes, before joining the MLS.
He has a dual citizenship with Nigeria and USA. His current contract at St. Louis City SC runs till 2025.
Another Nigerian star, Ifunanyachi Achara was also on the MLS transfer radar in the summer.
Achara signed a one-year contract with Houston Dynamo in December, 2022 with a one-year extension clause that could see him stay at the club till 2024.
Achara, 25, played for Toronto FC in the MLS before his spell with the club was gutted with injury. He returned from injury on August 4, 2021 but after his Toronto contract expired, the club refused to renew it.
He was signed as a free agent by Houston Dynamo after his contract with Toronto FC broke down.
