Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has called for future Arsenal player Victor Ozhianvuna to get a senior international call-up, in light of the 17-year-old’s strong recent form.
Victor Ozhianvuna is ultimately Arsenal-bound, having agreed a deal with the Gunners to join the club when he turns 18 in January 2027. But until then, the teenager is playing for Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland’s Premier Division, and he’s increasingly impressing for the side.
Last week, Ozhianvuna was awarded Rovers’ Player of the Month award for April, and he underlined his progress with an excellent performance against Drogheda United on Monday.
On three separate occasions, the youngster picked the ball up in midfield and slid a pass in behind to create a huge chance for his team. The third of those opportunities was converted to earn the youngster an assist.
Speaking after the game, Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley argued that the future Arsenal player should be called up by Ireland as soon as possible.
“There’s no one that can tell me that kid shouldn’t be in the Ireland squad,” Bradley said. “There’s not one player in the Ireland set-up, from senior team down to Victor’s age, that can do that. No one. And [that’s] not being dismissive of what’s there. He’s different.
“He takes one on his chest, and within two seconds he’s five yards away from the press. You watch PSG and Bayern Munich the other night and that’s what the game was. All one-v-one situations. We’re crying out for something like that, a player that can break lines.
“I think they should put him in now so when the future comes, he’s ready. I promise you get him in that camp and in 10 minutes he’ll show what he is about.”
Ozhianvuna has now made 33 appearances for Rovers’ senior side, despite his age, including 15 starts in all competitions. He scored his first competitive goal last July, but Monday’s assist was his first in the senior game.
If the 17-year-old continues to develop as he has been so far, it’s likely there will be plenty more goals and assists to come from his midfield role.
For the time being, Ozhianvuna is an Ireland u18 international, though he’s also represented the u17s at the u17 World Cup and in u17 Euros qualifiers in recent months. His manager certainly seems convinced a senior call-up isn’t too far away.