ODELUGA OFFIAH may be the nephew of rugby legend Martin Offiah.
But the 21-year-old is making his own way as a footballer under Manchester United legend Steve Bruce.
GettyOdeluga Offiah is making his own way as a Premier League footballer with Brighton[/caption]
GettyHe is currently on loan at Blackpool with Man Utd legend Steve Bruce[/caption]
Uncle Martin was a top rugby league and union player in his primeAllsport
Offiah, who plays in defence, is on loan at Blackpool from Brighton.
He has also spent time with Scottish giants Hearts.
And the ace, who has 10 Premier League appearances for Brighton, has plenty of famous relatives.
Uncle Martin is a former rugby league star who won 33 Great Britain caps and 5 England caps.
He also enjoyed a career resurgence in union during his later years with Bedford and Wasps.
And Martin’s son Tyler Offiah is now hoping to follow in his footsteps after signing a pro contract with Bath on the back of his England U18s debut.
Meanwhile, Martin’s nephew Odeluga has been making a splash in the beautiful game after joining Blackpool this summer.
He is yet to make an appearance after United hero Bruce replaced Neil Critchley earlier this month.
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But uncle Martin reckons Odel is on his way to being a star – mainly thanks to his dad Chike.
Martin told the Argus: “Odel was playing rugby and football as a kid.
Odeluga was on loan at Hearts last season and is still waiting for his Blackpool debutWillie Vass
The ace hopes to have as much success as uncle Martin did in rugbyNews Group Newspapers Ltd
“I said to Chike, ‘What is he going to do, be a rugby player or a football?’
“He said he liked football, and I said, ‘You need to get him into an academy’.
“I knew he was talented and played with adults at the park but he needed to get some coaching and people needed to see him.
“They took him to Bromley and Odel was quite a late starter.
“He tried to get into Crystal Palace and Charlton so Brighton was his third club.
“I think Odel had the love more for football than rugby. Football was what he loved to do.
“He is young with room to develop but he is already a bit of a beast.
“He has got that Offiah speed.”
Odeluga will be hoping to make his debut in tonight’s clash at Huddersfield, with games against Burtno and Lincoln also on the horizon.
Speaking after his loan move, he said: “It feels good to be here. I’m really excited to show what I can do at this Club.
“As soon as I heard of the interest I wanted to join, as this is a big Club with huge history and I want to be part of that.
“I’m just excited to get going and get out on the pitch and play for this Club.”
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