Southampton of England Nigerian-born youngster, Michael Obafemi thanked his Saints’ club mate, Nathan Redmond for helping him become the club’s youngest ever goal scorer in the English Premier League.
Sports247.ng reports that the 18-year-old Obafemi, who arrived from Leyton Orient in 2016, marked his fifth Premier League appearance by tucking in Redmond’s cutback six minutes after coming off the bench.
His goal helped Southampton seal a 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town, and Obafemi has now heaped gratitude on Redmond for helping him on and off the pitch.
Obafemi, who earlier missed a very good chance and went on to see another shot saved by Jonas Lossl, declared: “It was surreal and I’m thankful to Redders for giving me the assist.
“I should have scored two or three more but I’m just delighted to have got my first goal.
“I wanted to get the previous chance out of my head straightaway because I knew myself it should have gone in the back of the net.
“I knew another one would come and I’m glad I put it away when it did.
“Just before I came on, the manager said to make sure I run and do the basics before anything else and the goal will come.
“All the lads on the bench were saying just show what I can do and that the rest would fall into place.
“On the pitch, Redders is a close friend of mine and he’s always giving me advice before games and even off the pitch as well, making sure I stay grounded.”
Obafemi made his Premier League debut against Tottenham in January and was given a first start by Mark Hughes in the previous manager’s final game against Manchester United earlier this month.
He impressed before being forced off by a hamstring injury and this was his first appearance since.
The Saints’ new manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl has now won two of his first three games in charge, and Obafemi praised the impact of the Austrian.
Obafemi added: “He’s changed the whole system. You can see we are a lot more aggressive and direct and playing higher up the pitch. It suits us and it’s getting us results.”
