Kayo Ajanaku's family were happy in Guernsey but have no regrets of moving to the UK [Nicky Ajanaku]Cameron Weldon - Channel IslandsMon, November 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM UTC·2 min readThe mother of a Guernsey boy who signed for Southampton FC's Academy said the family left the island to "expand our children's lives and opportunities"
Kayo Ajanaku signed a contract with the Southampton's under-10s in August 2024 and recently progressed to the under-11s squad.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis mother Nicky Ajanaku said within four months of moving to the UK from the island her son had been scouted by both Southampton and Chelsea.
She said the family had "settled into UK life well", and had "no regrets" of leaving although they "still miss our beautiful island" and would never rule out coming home.
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Ms Ajanaku said living in the UK helped with the commitments of training.
"Kayo now being retained into the under 11 squad trains three hours a night on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with matches on the weekends".
She said they travel across the country for away games which could be as far away as four hour car journeys each way.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhen asked if her son would have got the same opportunities if he stayed on the island, Ms Ajanaku said "who knows what life could of been and if Kayo would of got this opportunity".
"However, we are very much firm believers of 'what will be will be and things happen for a reason', maybe this was our reason to move, who knows."
Southampton FC signed Kayo in August [Nicky Ajanaku]Earlier this month Guernsey FC manager Tony Vance said if the island was attached to the mainland, a lot of talented players would be at academies while Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell said both travel and finance are big barriers.
Ms Ajanaku said academy football is hard and takes a lot of dedication from her son, as well as the family.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Kayo has to miss close friends parties, family events and time to play with his old Guernsey friends online, but it is a very small sacrifice to make for such an amazing opportunity and his friends completely understand and support these hard decisions."
Kayo Ajanaku's schedule means the family had to be committed [Nicky Ajanaku]She added: "there is always another young lad that would step into his shoes without a thought, so you have to be committed as a family".
She said the family are "very mindful" they give the same opportunities to their two daughters.
Kayo's twin sister also plays for a Southampton grass roots team and has a dream to follow in fellow islander Maya Le Tissier's footsteps.
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