Akilu Jarma’s European Journey Continues At Leganés

18-year-old Nigerian midfielder Isa Ussain Akilu Jarma Jnr is making steady progress in his bid to establish himself in European football after moving from Kano Pillars’ youth setup to France and, most recently, Club Deportivo Leganés in Spain.

Akilu began his football development with the Kano Pillars U17 side, where he built a reputation for his technical ability, vision and versatility in midfield.

Standing at 1.88 metres and weighing 73.4kg, the midfielder combines his physical presence with a strong left foot and the ability to operate under pressure.

His move to Europe came in January 2026 when he joined the Michel Hidalgo Football Academy in Antibes, France. He subsequently featured for regional partner club AS Fontonne at U19 level as he adapted to a different football culture and tactical environment.

During the 2025/26 season, Akilu made nine official appearances, accumulating 810 minutes and scoring six goals while providing one assist.

His performances were also marked by a clean disciplinary record, with no yellow or red cards recorded during the campaign.

The midfielder also posted a VMA (Maximal Aerobic Speed) score of 17.5, underlining his capacity to maintain intensity during matches.

Michel Hidalgo Football Academy officials have praised his technical qualities, tactical understanding and commitment to development.

General Manager Zino Ghenadra described Akilu as a player who arrived with “valuable technical and athletic attributes”, while highlighting his game intelligence, discipline and daily commitment.

Head coach Jérémy De Magalhaes also pointed to the midfielder’s comfort on the ball, particularly his left-footed control and ability to deal with high-press situations.

His progress in France earned him assessment opportunities with FC Cavigal U19 National and AS Cannes, following which he secured acceptance into AS Cannes U20 R.

Akilu has now taken another step in his European journey after attracting the attention of Spanish club Deportivo Leganés, where he has been admitted into the club’s setup for further development.

The move represents another significant stage in the teenager’s transition from Nigerian youth football to the increasingly demanding European environment.

With his combination of height, athleticism, left-footed technique, attacking output and experience across French youth football, Akilu is continuing to develop as a modern midfield prospect.

His progression is also being followed by media outlets, including Aminchi Sports, as he seeks to build a career that could eventually take him into senior professional football.