Chelsea have appointed Seyi Olofinjana to a talent management role focused on Africa, according to The Athletic.
In this new position, Olofinjana will oversee regional recruitment recommendations, working closely with a newly appointed scout dedicated to African football.
The 44-year-old also serves as the executive director of Imperial FC, a club in Nigeriaā€™s third division. Olofinjana has a track record of identifying and nurturing football talent in Nigeria, including Taiwo Awoniyi, who joined Liverpool in 2015 and now plays for Nottingham Forest.
Over the past two decades, numerous African players like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, and Mikel John Obi have succeeded at Chelsea, although they were usually signed after making their mark in Europe.
Chelsea’s decision to establish a dedicated operation in Africa highlights a strategic shift towards procuring talent earlier in their development stages.
