PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: ISA USSAIN AKILU JARMA JNR

From Kano to the French Riviera and Club Deportivo Leganés: The Rise of an Emerging Midfield Talent

 At just 18, Nigerian midfielder Isa Ussain Akilu Jarma Jnr. is already charting an ambitious path through European football, with his journey taking him from the youth ranks of Kano Pillars to the French Riviera and, most recently, to Spain with Club Deportivo Leganés.

For a young African footballer seeking to establish himself in Europe, the transition requires more than technical ability. It demands tactical understanding, physical preparation, discipline and the capacity to adapt quickly to different football cultures. Akilu’s development so far has been shaped by those demands.

Strong foundations in Kano

Akilu began developing his football within the youth structure of Kano Pillars, where he built a foundation around technical versatility, vision and an ability to operate in midfield.

Standing at 188cm (6ft 2in) and weighing 73.4kg, he possesses an imposing physical profile for a midfielder. His height and athleticism are complemented by a strong left foot, allowing him to retain possession under pressure, carry the ball forward and look for opportunities to penetrate defensive lines.

His profile combines physical presence with technical qualities that have increasingly attracted attention during his progression through European youth football.

European journey begins in France

In January 2026, Akilu took an important step in his development by joining the Michel Hidalgo Football Academy in Antibes, on the French Riviera.

The move represented a significant change from the football environment in Nigeria, requiring the teenager to adjust to a different tactical approach, training methodology and football culture.

He subsequently featured for regional partner club AS Fontonne at U19 level, gaining competitive experience while continuing his development within the French youth football system.

During the 2025/26 season, Akilu reportedly made nine official appearances, accumulating 810 minutes, while contributing six goals and one assist.

His disciplinary record was equally notable, with no yellow or red cards recorded during the period.

His physical development has also been monitored through performance testing, with a reported VMA (Maximal Aerobic Speed) score of 17.5, an indicator of his aerobic capacity and ability to sustain intensity.

Technical staff impressed by potential

Akilu’s development has received positive assessments from members of the Michel Hidalgo Football Academy technical team.

General Manager Zino Ghenadra highlighted the midfielder’s combination of technical ability, athletic qualities and football intelligence.

“Isa arrived with valuable technical and athletic attributes, alongside strong game intelligence, allowing him to demonstrate his potential early on. His discipline and daily commitment have been exemplary.”

Head Coach Jérémy De Magalhaes also pointed to Akilu’s comfort in possession, particularly his ability to use his left foot effectively when confronted by pressure.

“Possessing great ease on the ball, his touch with his left foot allows him to navigate high-press situations and extract the team from complex tactical scenarios.”

His physical development has also attracted attention from the academy’s strength and conditioning department.

According to Strength & Conditioning Coach Mickaël Darnet, Akilu possesses significant physical capacity while continuing to have room for further development.

“He demonstrates significant physical capacity and athletic potential, with continued room to build elite-level conditioning.”

Opportunities with French clubs

Akilu’s performances subsequently created opportunities for further assessment, including trials with FC Cavigal U19 National and AS Cannes.

Following those evaluations, he secured acceptance into AS Cannes U20 R, another important stage in his development and exposure to competitive European football.

The progression illustrates a pathway built around incremental steps—moving from youth football in Nigeria to academy football in France, then earning opportunities to test himself at increasingly demanding levels.

A new chapter in Spain

Akilu’s development has now opened another chapter, with Club Deportivo Leganés in Spain reportedly inviting and admitting the young Nigerian into its setup.

The Spanish club, based in the Madrid metropolitan area, has competed in the country’s top divisions, including La Liga, and its professional environment provides another opportunity for Akilu to experience a different tactical and developmental culture.

The move from France to Spain represents another test of his adaptability. Spanish football places significant emphasis on technical quality, positional awareness, ball circulation and tactical intelligence—areas that align with the attributes already identified in Akilu’s development.

A prospect to watch

Akilu’s journey remains at an early stage, and the next phase will be about converting potential into sustained performance.

His physical profile, left-footed ability, midfield versatility, work ethic and experience across different football environments provide a platform from which he can continue developing.

From Kano Pillars’ youth setup to the Michel Hidalgo Football Academy, AS Fontonne, opportunities with French clubs and now a reported pathway with Leganés, Akilu’s story reflects the growing number of young Nigerian players seeking to build careers through structured European development systems.

At 18, the journey is only beginning. But with continued discipline, appropriate coaching and consistent competitive exposure, Isa Ussain Akilu Jarma Jnr. has emerged as a young Nigerian midfield prospect whose progress will be worth following closely.