Super Eagles star Ola Aina has revealed how a delayed signing meeting with Tottenham Hotspur in his early years changed the trajectory of his football career, leading him instead to join Chelsea.
Speaking on the popular 90s Baby Show, the Nottingham Forest defender shared a shocking account of how he and his father were left waiting for nearly five hours at Spurs’ offices, only to walk away without a word from the North London club.
“I was at Spurs, training and training. Then they told me they were going to sign me on a particular day after training,” Aina recalled.
“The time comes, we go into an office and me and my dad are told to sit. We sat there one hour, two hours… almost five hours. I was already complaining to my dad that I was hungry. My dad told me to go into the office. But we just got fed up and left. They never said anything to us after that.”
From Tottenham Frustration to Chelsea Opportunity
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Aina was a promising talent in his teenage years and was courted by several English clubs. After the Tottenham disappointment, he went on to sign for Chelsea’s academy in 2013. There, he developed his skills and rose through the youth ranks, even winning the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League.
However, despite his steady progress, Aina struggled to break into Chelsea’s senior team, making only a handful of appearances.
Career Moves: From Stamford Bridge to the Premier League and Beyond
Aina’s career took a more consistent turn when he went on loan to Hull City and later Torino FC in Italy. After an impressive stint, Torino signed him permanently in 2019. He later spent a season on loan at Fulham FC, before eventually making his way back to England with Nottingham Forest.
Since joining Forest, Aina has become a key figure in the team’s defensive setup. His performances during the 2024/2025 season earned him a nomination for the Premier League Team of the Season, cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s top football exports.
Ready for European Football With Nottingham Forest
Looking ahead, the 28-year-old is set to face new challenges as Nottingham Forest prepares for its return to European football. The club finished 7th in the Premier League, securing a UEFA Europa League spot for the upcoming season.
This comes after Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win failed to guarantee them a European place due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, which pushed them into the UEFA Conference League instead.
For Aina, who has never played in the Europa League, the 2025/26 season will be a chance to prove himself on a continental stage, a dream for many African players competing in Europe.
