For the current top football club in Group A of the Nigerian National League (NNL), Plateau United, these are exciting times. The club is set to announce a partnership with five time Norwegian league champions, Lillestrom SK.

The partnership comes after a healthy history of Nigerian influence at Lillestrom that has seen no less than five Nigerian footballers play for the Norwegian side with current Super Eagles’ international Nosa Igbiebor being the most recent after a successful spell. At the club, Nosa scored 13 goals in 67 appearances from 2009 to 2011.

The partnership will focus on youth development mainly with Plateau United duo Caleb Baba and Daddy Maurice already off to Norway for trials with Lillestrom.

Plateau United have shown potential for developing young players as they have a rich history of producing top footballers who have enjoyed fruitful international and club careers with Mikel Obi, Obinna Nsofor and Christian Obodo being the biggest names.

Asides youth development, specific terms of the deal are yet to be announced but other possible focus points of the deal include first-option purchases of Plateau United’s players for Lillestrom, infrastructural investment and payment of yearly fees, as is usually the case in partnerships involving feeder clubs in Europe.