BY Idris Shehu
Alexander Tardios, the headmaster of St. John’s Preparatory and Senior School, has narrated how Ethan Nwaneri dominated the pitch during his scholarship trial with the school.
The school administrator spoke in a chat with Times UK on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Nwaneri became the youngest footballer to play in the English Premier League (EPL) after coming in as a second-half substitute for Arsenal in the game against Brentford.
At just 15 years and 181 days, he retired the record set by Harvey Elliot in the colours of Fulham in 2019.
Nwaneri is the first player under the age of 16 to play in the EPL.
Like other teenagers, he is still in school and currently juggling his football career with classes.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, the attacker joined St. John’s School, London, on scholarship at the age of 10 and the trial was a memorable one for the headmaster.
“We could not evaluate any other player while Ethan dominated,” Tardios said.
“Someone said to me, ‘That was a good scholarship to give’.”
The headmaster said Nwaneri scored eight goals in his first national school cup match.
Despite representing England at both U-16 and U-17 levels, he is still eligible to play for Nigeria.
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