Football
Exclusive: Manchester United Set to Lose Out on Uganda U17 Wonderkid James Bogere
Uganda’s U17 sensation James Bogere is attracting attention from top European clubs after standout performances at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup. Premier League sides like Manchester United, Brentford, and Brighton are monitoring the 16-year-old forward. Aarhus is leading the race for his signature. His impressive stats and skills have put him in the spotlight, with a decision on his future expected soon.
Uganda v France: FIFA Under-17 World Cup by Chris Ricco - FIFA | Getty Images
Uganda’s U17 sensation James Bogere is drawing significant attention from several European clubs, including Premier League sides, following his standout performances at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
Premier League clubs monitoring Bogere
SportsBoom reports that scouts from Manchester United, Brentford, and Brighton & Hove Albion have been closely monitoring the 17-year-old forward. Belgian outfit Genk and Danish club Aarhus are also understood to be keen on securing his services.
The clubs have reportedly made enquiries through Thomas Thor, owner of El Cambio Academy, where Bogere is currently developing.
Aarhus leading the race
Despite interest from Premier League teams, Aarhus are believed to be ahead in negotiations. Sportsboom understands that El Cambio Academy is leaning toward a move that ensures Bogere continues his development in a lower-pressure environment before stepping up to one of Europe’s top leagues.
A decision on his future is expected soon.
Who is James Bogere?
Bogere has been one of Uganda’s standout performers at the ongoing U17 World Cup, scoring twice, against Canada and France, as the Cubs progressed to the round of 16.
He first burst onto the scene during qualification for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored seven goals in four matches, including two hat-tricks.
According to statistics from specialist website WhoScored, Bogere leads the U17 AFCON charts for successful dribbles, completing 35, more than Ivory Coast’s Moise Diarrassouba (31) and fellow Ugandan Richard Okello (24).
The highly rated forward continues to make waves, with European interest now intensifying.
Seyi Alao is a Nigerian sports reporter, writer, and producer, known for delivering engaging sports content in both English and Pidgin. At Brila FM, I transitioned seamlessly into the role of Content Creator, demonstrating a deep understanding of media dynamics and effectively crafting captivating and informative narratives.