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19th July 2025
10:58am BST
He has reportedly been tracked by big European teams since he was 12, and last night Shamrock Rovers youngster Victor Ozhianvuna produced his most impressive performance to date in his career.
Ozhianvuna, making his full debut for Rovers, scored a stunning volley in the eighth minute of their 4-0 win over Wexford in the FAI Cup third round, becoming their youngest-ever scorer in the competition.
The Dublin-born midfielder has been linked with a record-breaking €2million move to Premier League giants Arsenal, among other European clubs, and according to Rovers manager Bradley, a deal is not a million miles off being done with an unnamed team.
However, a deal would likely mean Rovers can keep Ozhianvuna until he is 18 in January 2027.
Bradley said: “I know Stephen McPhail (Shamrock Rovers Director of Football) is right down the line with a club. Yeah, I know he’s right there. He is a really special talent. I think that is quite clear to see. You will see that more and more as he goes.
“There are so many more layers to him; he can play inside, he can be the 10, he can play off the right, off the front-man. He’s a special talent.
“Teams have watched Victor since he was 12 years of age. That team has travelled across Europe, played top teams, so everyone knows him, all the clubs.
“Even though he hasn’t been overly exposed over here in the first-team, everyone knows him. You are just going to see the kid get better and better. I love his attitude.
“Put him in the carpark or on the pitch, he just wants to play. It’s his ball, he wants it back. That’s how he plays the game.”
Commenting on Ozhianvuna's brilliant debut goal, Bradley said: "He has been practicing every day different types of balls across the box, finishing. The calmness of it, he wouldn't have done that six months ago.
“The calmness to understand the pace on the ball and connect with it, his balance and body shape looks simple but there is so much that's gone into that finish."
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