Official: Ex-Nigeria U17 captain Simon Cletus joins Croatian top-flight side HNK Rijeka

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Official: Ex-Nigeria U17 captain Simon Cletus joins Croatian top-flight side HNK Rijeka
Simon Cletus. Photo by Ugbodaga Irabor Kennedy/IMAGO

Former Nigeria under-17 captain, Simon Cletus, has officially taken a major step in his career by joining Croatian top-flight club HNK Rijeka, Afrik Foot reports.

The midfielder, who led Nigeria to a bronze medal at the 2024 WAFU B U-17 Championship, has signed a three-year deal and is expected to feature in Rijeka’s U-19 squad as he begins his European adventure.

Cletus rose to national prominence during Nigeria’s campaign at the 2024 WAFU B U-17 Championship in Accra, Ghana, where he led the Golden Eaglets to a bronze-medal finish.

Simon Cletus of Nigeria.
Simon Cletus of Nigeria. Photo by Ugbodaga Irabor Kennedy/IMAGO

His performances at the tournament piqued the interests of European clubs who placed him on trials.

Simon Cletus joins HNK Rijeka in major career step

A product of Lagos-based academy Mavlon FC, Cletus’ move continues the academy’s growing reputation as a launchpad for Nigerian talents into European football.

In recent weeks, Mavlon FC has also facilitated transfers for several players abroad, including Momoh Muntari to NK Istra, Elisha Ephraim to CD Castellón, and Wahab Musa to Málaga CF.

At just 18 years old, Cletus’ move to Rijeka marks a significant milestone in his career, as he begins his first professional chapter in European football with ambitions of progressing into senior club football and future national team selection.

<!-- Author Start -->Ayomide Oguntimehin<!-- Author End -->

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Editor Site Coordinator

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Editor at Soccernet.ng & Afrik Foot. Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, Topmercato, and Milan News24, among others. He holds a master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X: @ayo_oguntimehin.