OLA AINA JOINS ON LOAN
The Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Ola Aina on a season-long loan from Torino.
Fulham also holds an option to make the deal to sign the 23-year-old permanent.
After finalising his move, Aina told FFCtv: "I feel very excited and privileged to be able to play for a Club like this.
"It feels amazing to be back closer to my family, back in the capital where I was born and raised.
"There's a great bunch of lads here. I'm really good friends with Big Hec and Josh Onomah.
"I feel very comfortable on either foot, I can fill in wherever needs be. I'd say I'm pretty quick and I like to attack, but I also like to help the team and do the dirty work as much as I can."
(https://images-v2.fulhamfc.com/fit-in/800x800/e84d4930-f433-11ea-9534-5bd32de39cb9.jpg)
Tony Khan added: "I'm pleased to announce the arrival of Ola Aina to Fulham on loan from Torino. Ola is an exciting young player who can further strengthen our squad this season in the Premier League.
"In our loan agreement, we've secured an option for a permanent transfer for Ola to potentially remain at Fulham if this season proves to be a good fit for us, which is a great situation for the Club given our belief in Ola's talent and in his potential. Come on Fulham!"
Born in London but now a full Nigeria international, Aina has primarily operated at right-back throughout his career, but his versatility means he can also fill in capably across the defence or further forward.
Aina joined Chelsea at a young age and successfully rose through the age groups, winning two FA Youth Cups – including the 2014 Final against Fulham – and two UEFA Youth League titles.
(https://images-v2.fulhamfc.com/fit-in/800x800/4be4e430-f434-11ea-9534-5bd32de39cb9.jpg)
2016/17 was his breakthrough season as he made six appearances for the first team, including three outings in the Premier League en route to the Blues winning the title.
Aina furthered his development in the Championship the following season, playing in 44 of Hull City's 46 matches.
Another loan spell followed in 2018/19, this time in Italy with Torino. Aina made 30 Serie A appearances in what was a fine season for Il Toro, whose seventh place finish secured a Europa League qualifying spot.
Torino held an option to make the transfer permanent, and Aina's form convinced them to do just that last summer.
He was a regular again last season, playing 37 times in all competitions.
A Southwark boy, Aina represented England up to Under-21 level, but switched his allegiance to Nigeria – his parents' nation – in 2017.
He has now won 14 caps for the Super Eagles, and was part of the team that finished third at last year's Africa Cup of Nations.
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/september/Ola-Aina-Joins-On-Loan/
0001.jpeg
Looking forward to seeing how he does. Shouldn't have too much trouble settling into the squad as he is a local lad and even knows a couple of our players.
Significant change in transfer policy compared to last time in the PL. now let's hope this time things work out
I like what he's said, hopefully Hector gets a 'introduction fee'.
I'm sure Hector gave him a glowing report on the club, which most players who have played for Fulham do.
Fans from italy all over our social media saying he's really bad. Confused as he's played for them as they finished 7th one season.
Quote from: General on September 11, 2020, 07:30:33 PM
Fans from italy all over our social media saying he's really bad. Confused as he's played for them as they finished 7th one season.
He's was great that first season on loan and then not so good last year after joining. I wouldn't worry too much about what other fans, Murphy, Duff et all came with poor reputations with fans at their previous clubs. He may end up not great, but he has the benefit of doubt with me. Some much needed pace and can cover RB, LB, RW, LW as required. So all good.
Quote from: General on September 11, 2020, 07:30:33 PM
Fans from italy all over our social media saying he's really bad. Confused as he's played for them as they finished 7th one season.
They also almost got relegated this season, every squad will have scapegoats.
Quote from: General on September 11, 2020, 07:30:33 PM
Fans from italy all over our social media saying he's really bad. Confused as he's played for them as they finished 7th one season.
This often happens when you lose a player, a way of supporting your club I guess, also fans of Fulham were saying the same about Onomah fairly recently, he is now considered to be a star in the making so I would not take too much notice of that.
He says he likes to attack and is pretty quick but also does the dirty work, is he not a right back then, as it sounds more like he is coming to play on the wing
He also make a point about playing with both feet which always makes me laugh. But he may be available on either side. Often this season I would imagine we will need wide players in front of the full backs who can cover and tackle more so than our present wide players.
Trained with the first team today this morning which would indicate he's available for arsenal should SP think fair and or necessary
Quote from: fulhamben on September 11, 2020, 07:48:06 PM
He says he likes to attack and is pretty quick but also does the dirty work, is he not a right back then, as it sounds more like he is coming to play on the wing
Has been playing as a winger/wing back for torino
Quote from: General on September 11, 2020, 08:18:35 PM
Quote from: fulhamben on September 11, 2020, 07:48:06 PM
He says he likes to attack and is pretty quick but also does the dirty work, is he not a right back then, as it sounds more like he is coming to play on the wing
Has been playing as a winger/wing back for torino
ok cheers
Quote from: General on September 11, 2020, 08:17:45 PM
Trained with the first team today this morning which would indicate he's available for arsenal should SP think fair and or necessary
He can't have trained as we hadn't signed him 3 days ago hey statto? [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hope we now address to fill the positions that are key to our Premier League survival, so far we haven´t!!!!!!! It isn´t just about spending more money, how much have we spent so far in comparison with 2 years ago, not much! Most of the money spent on guys who were already with us last season on loan and sad to say apart from Reed I wouldn´t have signed any of the others permamently to play in the Premier League, time will tell and I hope I am wrong!
Wow, six signings and we have yet to play our first match.
No sign of a new centre back though.
Quote from: davew on September 11, 2020, 09:09:19 PM
Hope we now address to fill the positions that are key to our Premier League survival, so far we haven´t!!!!!!! It isnt just about spending more money, how much have we spent so far in comparison with 2 years ago, not much! Most of the money spent on guys who were already with us last season on loan and sad to say apart from Reed I wouldn't have signed any of the others permanently to play in the Premier League, time will tell and I hope I am wrong!
As a matter of interest why wouldn't you have signed any of them apart from Reed?
Quote from: Lighthouse on September 11, 2020, 08:07:46 PM
He also make a point about playing with both feet which always makes me laugh. But he may be available on either side. Often this season I would imagine we will need wide players in front of the full backs who can cover and tackle more so than our present wide players.
Perhaps he can tell Tom Cairney how to play with both feet.
Seems like a really nice guy - welcome my friend!
A few Torino fans saying he wasn't great last season but the way I see it a good young highly rated youngster leaves His home to live in another country while still only a teenager and has one good season and one average one, has now racked up a lot of experience in one of Europe's top 5 leagues and has gained a number of international caps. He is still young enough to hopefully keep improving and coming back to London to be with his family and friends may well help him.
Quote from: Cookie6262 on September 12, 2020, 07:38:18 AM
A few Torino fans saying he wasn't great last season but the way I see it a good young highly rated youngster leaves His home to live in another country while still only a teenager and has one good season and one average one, has now racked up a lot of experience in one of Europe's top 5 leagues and has gained a number of international caps. He is still young enough to hopefully keep improving and coming back to London to be with his family and friends may well help him.
Agreed. I have a good feeling about Aina.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Just seen he is over 6 foot. Could he play centre back ? He is 2 footed and quick.
I have high hopes for this one. My Chelsea mate says he's an excellent player. Seems to have a great attitude from the video posted on the offal and can only help that he's good friends with Hector and Onomah
Ream and MLM are barely taller than Aina, just checked.
Where is he??
Quote from: AnOldBrownie on September 25, 2020, 01:02:09 AM
Where is he??
My guess is as good as anyone else's, but I imagine either he has a slight injury or he has arrived very unfit. I was quite surprised to not see him on the bench even the other night so it feels like he isn't ready
Has he been in any of the recent training vids? Guessing he's injured...
Weird parker has said everyone is fit. Others mentioned he may be away with Nigeria but that was proven incorrect.
I'd say he was quarantining but we've seen pictures of him training.
It's perplexing for sure. If anyone here has a sports journalist who can ask parker questions, finding out the latest on aina is going to be helpful.
Quote from: General on September 25, 2020, 08:52:00 AM
Weird parker has said everyone is fit. Others mentioned he may be away with Nigeria but that was proven incorrect.
I'd say he was quarantining but we've seen pictures of him training.
It's perplexing for sure. If anyone here has a sports journalist who can ask parker questions, finding out the latest on aina is going to be helpful.
Maybe he is just not in tune yet, some take a little longer to adapt.
Quote from: Jamie88 on September 25, 2020, 08:10:26 AM
Quote from: AnOldBrownie on September 25, 2020, 01:02:09 AM
Where is he??
My guess is as good as anyone else's, but I imagine either he has a slight injury or he has arrived very unfit. I was quite surprised to not see him on the bench even the other night so it feels like he isn't ready
Parher has said that some of the new players weren't up to full match fitness, so that seems a likely reason.
He's needed more training, as well as adaption with the others, before he is in the squad.
If it was just a question of what position would he play, who would he replace, you think he'd have played in the Cup - even Seri played after all.
But since he doesn't seem to have the virus - not in isolation, then I think it's a question of fitness, which could include an injury too.
Our "source guy" L-something said that one of the new signings was injured. Probably Aina.
So, after four matches we are crying out for a player to put in an outstanding performance in a wide position. Why has Aina not yet been given any game time.
Quote from: filham on September 25, 2020, 09:43:42 AM
So, after four matches we are crying out for a player to put in an outstanding performance in a wide position. Why has Aina not yet been given any game time.
Tete has been doing fine.
Quote from: Tabby on September 25, 2020, 09:44:59 AM
Quote from: filham on September 25, 2020, 09:43:42 AM
So, after four matches we are crying out for a player to put in an outstanding performance in a wide position. Why has Aina not yet been given any game time.
Tete has been doing fine.
I was thinking of the forward wide positions where Cav., Knock., Kamara., Reid, and Kebano usually operate but have yet to produce the goods.
Quote from: filham on September 25, 2020, 10:12:39 AM
Quote from: Tabby on September 25, 2020, 09:44:59 AM
Quote from: filham on September 25, 2020, 09:43:42 AM
So, after four matches we are crying out for a player to put in an outstanding performance in a wide position. Why has Aina not yet been given any game time.
Tete has been doing fine.
I was thinking of the forward wide positions where Cav., Knock., Kamara., Reid, and Kebano usually operate but have yet to produce the goods.
As far as I can see Aina has never played those positions in his career to date. Although he has played as a wide midfielder, he has never played as an actual attacking winger (even though I acknowledge that this may be a case of interpretation). He also has 4 goals and 12 assists over his 200+ games, so I don't think that we should count on him "producing the goods".
This is not to say that he may not be an option for the attacking positions, but I feel it's unlikely that he will be a clear upgrade on what we have there.
Quote from: filham on September 25, 2020, 10:12:39 AM
Quote from: Tabby on September 25, 2020, 09:44:59 AM
Quote from: filham on September 25, 2020, 09:43:42 AM
So, after four matches we are crying out for a player to put in an outstanding performance in a wide position. Why has Aina not yet been given any game time.
Tete has been doing fine.
I was thinking of the forward wide positions where Cav., Knock., Kamara., Reid, and Kebano usually operate but have yet to produce the goods.
Aina has yet to perform in any of those positions during his entire career. From everything Parker has said (not much tbf) he sees him as a defense. When asked if Aina and Tete could play in the same team Parker said that Aina can play at LB and also as a CB in a three at the back defender. Nothing about higher up the pitch.
