Noe Baba is nr. 16.
YOUNG Castlebar Celtic star Noe Baba is on the verge of signing with Manchester United.
The 15-year-old prodigy is currently in Brazil with United’s Under 16 team taking part in a tournament and the Premier League giants are reported to be very keen to sign Baba.
The versatile Mayo youngster, who can play in defence, midfield and attack, is the captain of the Irish Under 15 team and has been capped over ten times.
He has been on trial with a number of top clubs including Arsenal, Manchester City, Fulham, Leeds, Celtic, Blackburn and Newcastle, and several of them have been chasing his signature in recent times.
However, Baba is particularly taken by Man United, according to Castlebar Celtic club stalwart Pat Naughton.
The teenager has been over to them twice already and was introduced to a number of the first team squad.
“They’ve been very impressed by Noe,” Pat Naughton told The Mayo News last night. “Hopefully there might be something happening now after the trip to Brazil. Noe isn’t sixteen until August next year, the age when he can sign with a club, but they may choose to set the ball rolling before then.”
Baba has been singled out as a youngster with star quality for many years with speed, strength and a great football brain. Allied to that, says Pat Naughton, he is a young man with a wise head on his shoulders.
“Noe does everything right. Everywhere he goes, people like him. He is such a pleasant young lad and even though he is Irish captain, it hasn’t went to his head at all, he still loves coming down to play with his friends at Celtic. We’re all very proud of him,” he said.
A number of other young players from Mayo are currently contracted to professional clubs in England. Ronan Murray from Glencastle, near Belmullet, is currently on loan from Ipswich Town to Swindon and has featured for the ‘Tractor Boy’s’ first team in the past. Ballina’s David Cawley is also with Ipswich.
Paul Lawless from Aghamore is currently with Derby County as is Ballyglass’ Ryan Connolly.