French Ligue 2 side Stade de Reims have completed the signing of promising Nigerian defender Godwin Raphael Itotomi from Grassrunners FC on a one-year loan deal with an option to make the move permanent.
The 18-year-old centre-back will initially join the club’s Reims Révélations Espoirs squad, the reserve development team designed to prepare young talents for senior football.
Born on May 29, 2008, Itotomi earned the move after an impressive trial at Stade de Reims’ Raymond Kopa Life Centre, where he caught the attention of the coaching staff with standout performances against Paris Saint-Germain’s U-19 team and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Confirming the signing, the French club described the move as the perfect environment for the young Nigerian to begin his European journey.
“After learning his trade at the Nigerian Grassrunners FC academy, Godwin Itotomi joins Reims Révélations. It is an ideal human and infrastructural environment for a first experience in Europe, which will facilitate his adaptation and allow him to continue his development in the best possible conditions,” the club said in an official statement.
Itotomi leaves Nigeria with an impressive reputation as one of the country’s most promising young defenders. As captain of Grassrunners FC in Ogun State, he became known for his leadership qualities, composure in possession, aerial dominance, and tactical intelligence.
Despite playing at the heart of the defence, the youngster also posed a threat in the opposition penalty area, scoring four goals in 22 appearances during the N-Youth League Cup.
The transfer is another significant milestone for Grassrunners FC, whose youth development programme continues to produce players capable of making the leap to European football. The academy celebrated Itotomi’s move, describing it as a proud moment and wishing him success in the next stage of his career.
Stade de Reims recently restructured its player development pathway with the launch of Reims Révélations, dividing the programme into Elite and Espoirs groups to provide a clearer progression route for emerging talents.
By joining the Espoirs squad, Itotomi will benefit from structured coaching, modern facilities, and regular competition in France’s elite reserve championship as he works toward breaking into the senior team.
The move also continues the growing trend of talented Nigerian youngsters earning opportunities in European football through strong performances at the grassroots level.
With his combination of physical strength, defensive awareness, and leadership qualities, Itotomi now has an excellent platform to continue his development in France. Nigerian football fans will be following his progress closely as the highly rated centre-back begins an exciting new chapter with Stade de Reims.
