Atlético has officially welcomed 18-year-old Nigerian winger Taiwo Maamun to its youth setup on a three-year contract running through 2029. The acquisition mirrors a talent-pipeline strategy previously established with fellow African prospect Mamady Cissé, who celebrated the new arrival on social media.
Taiwo Maamun Joins Atlético’s Under-20 Squad
Taiwo Maamun Alao signed a three-year deal with the Belo Horizonte club. While the club initially secured a binding agreement with the player in June, his arrival in Brazil was delayed until he turned 18. Born in 2008, the young winger was developed in the youth ranks of Sporting Lagos in Nigeria and spent last season on loan at Ikorodu City, where the club finished fourth in the local championship. The club characterizes the attacker as a “habilidoso e arisco” flank player. Initially slated for the Under-20 squad at Cidade do Galo, Maamun enters the club under management representation handled by Cem Sagar, CEO of Diamond Sports Management, who published photos of the signing on Instagram.
The Cissé Precedent and International Scouting Strategy
Mamady Cissé, a 19-year-old midfielder from Guinea who previously played for the Nigerian side 36 Lion (also referred to as Lion FC), welcomed the new arrival on Instagram by reposting images from Cem Sagar. Cissé arrived at Atlético in May 2025 as a base addition before earning a promotion to the professional squad in early 2026. In February 2025, Luiz Carlos de Azevedo, general manager of Atlético’s youth categories, stated during a facility launch that the club’s scouting coordinator André had scouted Mozambique, Angola, and Nigeria, establishing a broader international talent pipeline that includes Cissé and now Maamun.
Pro Tip: Tracking international youth additions provides early insight into how Brazilian clubs build sustainable pipelines through targeted scouting in West Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duration of Taiwo Maamun’s contract with Atlético?
Taiwo Maamun signed a three-year contract with Atlético that runs through 2029.
Which teams did Taiwo Maamun play for prior to joining Atlético?
Maamun was developed at Sporting Lagos in Nigeria and played on loan for Ikorodu City during the previous season.
Who represents Taiwo Maamun?
His transfer and arrival at Cidade do Galo were announced by Cem Sagar, CEO of Diamond Sports Management.
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