Highly rated Gee-Lec Academy of Jos prospect Jerome Philip has inked a professional contract with MLS side New York Red Bulls (NYRB), Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Philip impressed during a short trial tournament in Kaduna State in July, where he scored three goals in three games in front of well respected MLS agent Damani Ralph.

18 year old Philip scored a well taken brace in the first game in the tournament, before crowning it up with a brace in the final game, where he also bagged two assist.

Managed by popular Nigerian football intermediary Babawo Mohammed, the agent confirmed his move to NYRB in an exclusive chat with Owngoalnigeria.com in Abuja.

” It wasn’t easy picking a club for Jerome as we had offers from Norway and Czech Republic for him. He did well in various event that was held by agents and scouts in the last few months”, Babawo told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” We settled for New York Red Bulls because of several indices but particularly due to the fact that I have given my word to the agent who brought the deal Damani Ralph.

” The other options would have given us more money than the move to NYRB, but in life money isn’t it all the time. He (Jerome) will join them next year before the start of the next MLS season”, Babawo concluded.

Tall, lanky and deadly with the ball at his feet due to his searing pace, Jerome is heavily tipped to be a part of the next Under-20 team of Nigeria, when they regroup for the qualifiers of the 2019 African Youth Championship.

Osas Mahawi