‘Arteta knows me very well’ – Babangida explains how he joined Barcelona

Former Nigerian planetary Haruna Babangida has disclosed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is well-acquainted with him from their aboriginal days astatine Barcelona’s La Masia academy, anterior to Arteta’s transportation to Rangers.

Babangida held the grounds for galore years arsenic the youngest subordinate to play for Barcelona B successful the Segunda División, making his competitory debut astatine the property of conscionable 16 years, 1 month, and 21 days.

He spent 3 seasons with the reserve team, occasionally participating successful affable matches with the archetypal squad and engaging successful pre-season grooming camps abroad.

Babangida was portion of La Masia’s illustrious generation, grooming alongside notable players specified arsenic Arteta, Xavi Hernández, Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, Víctor Valdés, Pepe Reina, and Gabri.

Reflecting connected his tenure astatine the club, Babangida, who represented Nigeria astatine the 1999 FIFA U20 World Cup, recounted that his way to Barcelona commenced with a straightforward proceedings that swiftly led to his signing.

In an interrogation with Gazzetta Greece, Haruna stated: “My transportation to Barcelona occurred successful 1997 erstwhile I was a teenager. The communicative is simple; I went determination for a trial.

“They called me, they observed my performance, and they opted to motion me. That is however it each transpired. They appreciated my skills...