Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest defender, Ola Aina, has revealed how close he came to joining Tottenham Hotspur, one of Chelsea’s biggest Premier League rivals, during his early footballing journey.
In a candid conversation on the 90s Baby Show, Aina recalled training with Spurs and being on the verge of signing a deal before a last-minute breakdown derailed the opportunity.
> “I was at Spurs, training and training. Then they told me they were going to sign me on a particular day after training,” Aina explained.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
> “The time comes, we go into an office, and my dad and I are told to sit. We sat there for one hour, two hours, almost five hours. I was already complaining to my dad that I was hungry. We eventually just got up and left. They never said anything to us again.”
Premier League Journey
Aina eventually joined Chelsea’s academy in 2013, progressing through the youth ranks but struggling to break into the first team due to fierce competition. He had loan spells at Hull City and Torino, before making a permanent move to the Italian side in 2019.
After a stint at Fulham, the 29-year-old returned to the Premier League and has flourished at Nottingham Forest, becoming one of the league’s standout full-backs.
A New Chapter at Forest
Following a stellar 2024/2025 campaign where he helped Forest finish 7th and secure European qualification, Aina signed a new contract with the club.
His consistent performances have not only earned him a key role at the City Ground but also re-established him as an integral figure in theSuper Eagles squad.
