Leeds United have completed the signing of Super Eagles defender Leonard Ngenge, who will join the club’s academy setup until the end of the 2026–27 season, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The 18-year-old centre-back arrives from Remo Stars, where he featured seven times in all competitions this term, and has already been capped twice by Nigeria at the senior level before his 18th birthday.
Born in 2007, Ngenge began his rise at Ikorodu City last season, making 25 league appearances in the Nigeria Premier Football League before moving to Remo Stars in 2025. He scored on his debut in a 4–0 CAF Champions League win over US Zilimadjou, immediately catching the attention of European scouts, including Leeds United, who had been tracking him since the previous campaign.
Leeds United confirmed the signing on their official website, stating: “Leeds United are pleased to announce the signing of Leonard Ngenge, who joins the club’s Academy after penning a deal until the end of the 2026/27 season. The defender makes the move from Nigeria, having made seven appearances in all competitions this term for Remo Stars FC. The centre-back has featured twice for his country at senior level.”
Ngenge made his senior Nigeria debut at just 17, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 defeat to Senegal, and later featured against Sudan, gaining valuable experience despite a challenging outing. Although he was not part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Leeds clearly sees his early international exposure as a strong foundation for future development.
At Thorp Arch, Ngenge will continue his education in the academy system with a clear pathway toward the under-21s, potentially training alongside club veteran Jonny Howson. His move also makes him only the third Nigerian international to join Leeds United, following Enoch Showunmi in 2008 and Sam Sodje in 2009.