Stafford sign ex-Stoke academy product Efunnuga
Stafford Rangers have announced the arrival of defensive midfielder Remi Efunnuga.
The 21-year-old, who started his career in Stoke City’s academy, brings a wealth of experience to the club.
From Stoke, he moved onto local rivals Port Vale and then a number of clubs in the non-league pyramid - including Mossley, Matlock Town and Stalybridge Celtic.
Struggling for minutes with Steve Cunningham’s Ashton United in the Northern Premier League last season, Efunnuga was sent out on loan to both Newcastle Town and Atherton Collieries in the NPL West Division.
Nigeria-born Efunnuga also enjoyed a brief spell playing for Croatian side HNK Zmaj Makarska during the 2023/24 campaign.
On the arrival of the young midfielder, Stafford first team head of recruitment George Stephens said: “Remi is a lad who has been on our radar for a long time. The gaffer [Graham Deakin] has wanted him for a good while now, so when it became a possibility, we had to move quickly.
“He offers something different to what we have in terms of being a physically imposing defensive midfielder, with power and energy to get up and down the pitch, but alongside that, he is really good technically and has ball carrying ability.
“He is a real positive character and someone we know the fans will instantly warm to. We all look forward to seeing Remi step out onto the pitch at Marston Road."