Cork’s Jaden Umeh set for move to Portugese giants Benfica 

CORK'S Jaden Umeh is set to sign for Portuguese giants Benfica when he turns 16 next year.

The Ringmahon Rangers academy graduate is currently with Cork City and on the fringes of the first team squad.

The Echo can reveal that Benfica sent scouts over to watch the striker play for the Republic of Ireland U17s in a European Championships qualifier against Armenia on Wednesday night.

Umeh scored the second goal during a 4-0 win at Carrig Park in Fermoy, with the striker hitting the back of the net at the end of the first half.

He got the ball inside the area and put it beyond the reach of the Armenian goalkeeper.

The other three goals were scored by Mason Melia, with the striker completing his hat-trick from the spot in the fourth minute of added time.

Umeh stole the show on a night that saw him add another goal into his growing collection while wearing a green jersey.

Last March he scored a brace to help the Republic of Ireland U15s beat Wales 4-0 in a friendly at the Carlisle Ground.

Umeh was rewarded for his work by getting called up to the Cork City first team for the 2023 Munster Senior Cup final against Cobh Ramblers.

The striker made his senior debut in the 81st minute by replacing Joshua Fitzpatrick during a period in the game that saw the Rebel Army try and make a late comeback.

That never happened; and his first taste of competitive first team football ended in a 3-1 defeat to Cobh.

The news of the transfer to Benfica broke on the same day that Jaden’s brother Franco scored a brace to help the Republic of Ireland beat Scotland 2-0 at the Pinatar Arena.

The pair both lined out for Ringmahon Rangers, one of the most famous youth academies in Ireland.

The club have a list of alumni that includes Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, Preston North End’s Alan Browne, Newcastle United’s Cathal Heffernan, and Derry City’s Adam O’Reilly.

Umeh’s future will be dictated by Brexit as the striker cannot move to a club in the United Kingdom as he is under 18.

He can still transfer to a club on the continent, and that is a big reason why scores of young Irish players are moving to teams belonging to countries in the EU.

The most recent example of this is Cork’s Matthew Moore, with the midfielder joining Bundesliga side Hoffenheim during the summer.

The midfielder – who once lined out for Carrigaline United and Cork City - captained the Ireland U17s during that 4-0 win over Armenia in Fermoy, and he commanded the play from his position in front of the defence.