Waterford teenager Timi Sobowale signs for Manchester City

Promising Ireland under-16 defender Timi Sobowale has signed for Manchester City from Waterford schoolboy side Villa FC.

The Dundalk-born, Waterford-raised defender – whose older brother Oluwatunmise is a striker for Finn Harps – was previously linked with Tottenham Hotspur.

The 16-year-old played for Spurs' under-16s at a tournament in the Netherlands in 2016, which the London club won, but he opted instead for the reigning Premier League champions.

Speaking to the Citizens' official website, Tunmise described his style of play and revealed he's modelled his play on current City captain Vincent Kompany.

“I like to think I’m comfortable on the ball and can play through the back,” Sobowale said.

Sobowale isn't the only Villa graduate to pick up an academy contract in England this summer, as former Bray Wanderers under-17 midfielder Festy Ebosele recently joined Derby County.