Portuguese Club Secures Five Young Talents From Lagos Tonic FC
Lagos-based non-league side Tonic Football Club has announced that five of its young players have been signed by FC Esmoriz of Portugal. The unveiling marks a significant milestone for the grassroots club, which was founded just six months ago as the parent club of FC Esmoriz.
Tonic FC participated in the recently concluded Nationwide League One (NLO) Championship, where they narrowly missed promotion. Despite being a relatively new club, their rapid progress has already begun to pay off, as international scouts are now showing interest in their talents.
Speaking on the development, the club’s General Overseer, Prince Dapo Ajibade, described Tonic FC as a “veritable football factory” with the mission of discovering and grooming young talents from the grassroots. He emphasized that the latest signings are only the beginning of many more opportunities to come for players within the club.
“This is just a tip of the iceberg because we have many other young and talented footballers who will soon join the professional ranks in the near future,” Ajibade said. He also highlighted the role of the Ikorodu community in Lagos State, where the club is based, in supporting the vision of raising future football stars.
Among the players unveiled is towering young goalkeeper Ayuba Oyetola, who stands at an impressive 6 feet 9 inches. His physical presence and talent have already attracted attention, making him one of the standout prospects heading to Portugal.
The other four players, also described as highly promising, will join Oyetola in Portugal in the coming weeks to continue their development as professional footballers under FC Esmoriz. Their signing shows how grassroots football in Nigeria is becoming a reliable pathway for talented youngsters to pursue international careers.
For many young Nigerians, football has become a dream and a career option, and Tonic FC’s breakthrough demonstrates the importance of grassroots clubs in shaping the future of the game. With more opportunities like this, local talents can gain global recognition while also contributing to the growth of Nigerian football.
The successful transfer of these players is expected to strengthen the partnership between Tonic FC and FC Esmoriz, paving the way for more collaborations and opportunities for upcoming talents in the years ahead.
