Hazeem Bakre: Lookman’s cousin explains choosing Middlesbrough over others

Posted : 06 May 2025

Hazeem Bakre, the cousin of Ademola Lookman, has revealed that he attracted interest from Football League clubs Reading and Blackburn Rovers before deciding to move to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2024. The 19-year-old forward secured his first professional contract with Boro just before the start of the 2024-2025 season.

Bakre cited Middlesbrough's excellent record of developing young talent as a key factor in his decision to choose the club over others. He emphasized that the opportunity to progress from the academy to the first team was crucial in his choice. He highlighted that players like Isaiah Jones and Hayden Hackney had successfully made that transition, which encouraged his decision to join the club.

Bakre explained, "Before moving to Middlesbrough, I had offers from Reading, Blackburn Rovers, and a few other clubs. I chose Middlesbrough because they demonstrated great interest in me. Over the years, they have consistently promoted players from their academy into the first team."

Reflecting on his football journey, Bakre shared that he started his career in grassroots football before being scouted by Brighton & Hove Albion. He later moved to Huddersfield Town, where he continued to shine as a top scorer for the U18s. However, despite his success on the field, he was not offered a professional contract at Huddersfield due to off-field issues.

"I began playing grassroots football at the age of eight and was scouted by Brighton when I was twelve. After two years at Brighton, I moved to Huddersfield Town, where I was the top scorer for the U18s. Unfortunately, due to off-field reasons, I didn’t receive a professional contract, which led me to sign with Middlesbrough," Bakre explained.

In November 2024, Bakre received recognition for his strong performances by being nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award. Despite not winning the award, he was proud to be considered alongside top talent in Premier League 2. He scored three goals in two games that month, and his form on the field was a testament to his growing potential.

Bakre expressed his desire to represent Nigeria's national team, the Flying Eagles, if called up by the Nigeria Football Federation. His strong performances at Middlesbrough, combined with his ambition, position him as a player to watch as he continues to develop his career.

Hazeem Bakre: Lookman’s cousin explains choosing Middlesbrough over others

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