Izuchukwu OkosiArsenal loanee of Nigerian descent Folarin Balogun has been named among the top five revelations of the season in the French Ligue 1 by Ouest France reports Prime Business Africa.
The French newspaper in its publication on outstanding players of the season so far picked five players who have had a fine start to the 2022-2023 season and the England U-21 international was selected with Vitinha (Paris SG), Lois Openda (RC Lens), Dango Ouattara (FC Lorient) and another Arsenal player on loan in the French Topflight, Nuno Tavares (Olympique de Marseille).
The 21-year-old forward has so far scored five goals this season in six league appearances with the exception of Olympique Lyonnais.
‘Flo’ as he was affectionately called at Arsenal was recently named the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month for August following his promising start to life this season.
Ouest France made glowing tributes about the striker eligible to play for Nigeria through his father: “In Reims, the summer hit has a strong English accent. On loan from Arsenal, Folarin Balogun has already established himself as a centerpiece of Oscar Garcia’s eleven.
“If the start of the season for the Rémois is not flamboyant (14th, one victory, three draws, two defeats), Balogun is walking on water.”
Only Paris Saint Germain superstars Neymar (8) and Kylian Mbappé (7) have scored more goals than Balogun (5) in the Ligue 1 so far this season.
Balogun who is also able to play for the USA was loaned out to the French club without a clause for a parmanent deal after one season.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
Follow Us