info directly from southamptons website.sfc have an excellent academy, good to see a yank there. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/Pro-GraduateList/
I ran across this kid today while playing football manager. I was ahem.. trying to poach some youth so naturally I scouted Southampton's U-18's. Gregory is still on the U-18 squad as per the Southampton site. I'm surprised he hasn't represented the US yet considering the Saints history of youth development. Calling bshredder!
Seems to have gotten a few games with the same U-21 team that Cropper plays for. Ariyibi got 29 minutes against Man United earlier this month
Nice find! According to S'hampton's website he is tied for 5th on the scoring charts for their U-18 side and has made two sub appearances for the U-21 side.
They are known to have an excellent academy. They are competing in the Elite Group of the U21 Premier League (only 8 clubs). Also should finish their awesome new training facility by this summer.
Here's the latest: http://owhentheyanks.com/2013/08/23/95-yank-looking-for-success-in-england/ Hoping to find his 1st contract in the UK soon. “I am looking to secure a Professional contract here in England. A few championship/league 1 clubs and possibly Cardiff, want to see me. I would like to be in the Championship. Brentford, Oxford United, Oxford city, Birmingham City and Bournemouth have expressed the most interest in me as of late.”
"...Ariyibi has also made his international status very clear, he would love to represent the United States. He has had no contact with US Soccer. “I am confident that I am good enough to represent the US Under 20 national squad,” Ariyibi said, “I just haven’t been given the chance yet, I would love to show the federation what I can do....”" ’95 Gboly Ariyibi with Southampton U18s
Recently on the Bolton bench during a U21 match, according to this report: The bench was manned by Harry Campbell, Robert Holding, Aaron Knight, Glenn Matthews, and one "Ariyibi," as listed by Bolton Wanderers. That last name was a new one. http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/20...ger-ariyibi-on-the-bench-in-bolton-u21s-match
He played with a Leeds United squad earlier this month: United defender Adam Drury started his comeback from a calf injury by playing 90 minutes while former Southampton youngster Gboli Ariyibi played the full game, and looked lively. http://www.leedsunited.com/news/art...1bmthzo/title/stalemate-for-development-squad Still looking, I guess...
Signed through the end of the season, as per BBC and other sites: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25370084 Nothing on the club site yet that I can find.
Detail from TDS: The deal with Leeds represents the first professional contract for the teenager, http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club...prospects:-florida-teen-strikes-rich_aid32282 Congrats to the young man.
As noted by USvsIreland here, Leeds United manager Brian McDerrmott had hinted at using Ariyibi during the Christrmas period, but he injured his ankle around the 19th or so and will be "touch and go" during the heavy fixture period.
He made his debut for Leeds as a 61st minute sub as Leeds lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest. He spent most of his time wide left and looked lively when he came on. He took one shot that went well wide of the mark. Kid looks like a tall, strong winger with a lot of pace...definitely one to keep an eye on.