Cork City boss Neale Fenn says Nigerian defender Joseph Olowu has 'all the attributes you could ask for' following Arsenal loan

Cork City manager Neale Fenn says loan signing Joseph Olowu has ‘all the attributes you could ask for’ after the youngster signed a five-month loan deal from English Premier League side Arsenal.

The 21-year-old centre-back has signed until the end of June as City boss Neale Fenn kicks off his first full season in charge with the visit of historic rivals Shelbourne to Turner’s Cross on Friday night.

Nigerian-born Olowu has been a regular in Steve Bould’s under-23 side for the past two years, making 11 appearances so far this season, and has made the move to gain senior experience.

The ball-playing defender is excited by the prospect of playing exciting football under his fellow Londoner, who started his career with Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

“It was an exciting opportunity when I first heard it, and [I] thought that it’d be good for me to further my footballing career,” Olowu told the club’s website.

“Neale explained to me the kind of football he wants to play – he wants to get it on the ground, play exciting football to get the fans on side, so that sounded good to me, to be honest.”

“On a personal note, I want to get a lot of game time in, and play as much football as possible and on a team basis, I want to help this team get into good position and keep pushing on for the season.”

On the Shelbourne season opener, Hale End graduate Olowu added: “I always love a game against a big rival.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges, to get the fans onside, and hopefully have a great atmosphere for the opening game of the season.”

Fenn added: “It’s taken a while to get it over the line; we have just been awaiting international clearance for the last few days, so we are very pleased to have now received that.



“Joseph has been training with us for a while. He’s a centre back, he reads the game really well and obviously from being at Arsenal, he’s very good on the ball which is something we like at this club.

“He’s quick and he’s strong so he’s got all the attributes you could ask for.”