Under-the-Radar 006 - Ryan Alebiosu

Fast track to the summer of 2026 and rumours are that Blackburn Rovers impressive full back is eyeing the interests of clubs in both the Bundesliga and Serie A.

Things could have been so different for the 24-year-old London born Nigerian international who began his career at Arsenal where he spent eleven years in the Gunners youth academy.

Loaned out to the likes of Crewe Alexandra and Kilmarnock, Alebiosu joined Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk in 2023 but after two seasons and just 25 games played, was loaned out to St Mirren in 2025, playing 13 Scottish Premiership matches (adding to 23 played previously with the Killie’s), before Blackburn Rovers came in and brought the player back to England.

Ever since, Alebiosu has cemented his self in the Rovers side and with swashbuckling performances last season, broke into the Nigeria national team squad, appearing in the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations.

Quick Stats:

• DOB: 17 December 2001 (Islington)

• Height: 6ft2in (1.88m)

• Foot: R

• Position: Right Back

• Club: Blackburn Rovers (since 2025)

• Previous: Arsenal (2021-23), Crewe Alexandra (2022) loan, Kilmarnock (2022-23) loan, KV Kortrijk (2023-25), St Mirren (2025) loan

Attributes…

Fast, powerful, a solid defender with strength and who likes to bomb on and get forward, Alebiosu’s concerns when first appearing in the Championship was dealing with the physical and mental demands of a long 46 game season.

Stronger than ever after a decent pre-season and a year battling his way towards being a well-known staple at the level, his pace and power are two key physical attributes mostly associated, but his willingness to defend when needed, to get forward and attack, are two star qualities that make him one of the best one-v-one defenders, as well as one of the best deep lying attacking outlets, in English football’s second tier.

A hard working footballer who has quality, likes to run on the overlap like a traditional right full back, is one that enjoys the dual when coming up against wingers, and will very rarely get beaten by them for pace.

How Does He Fit In?

After re-joining his club team-mates for their fight for survival under Michael O’Neill following the winter Afcon which Nigeria finished third in Morocco, Alebiosu started all of Rovers league games on the right of what was mostly a 3-4-3 from February onwards, as Rovers eventually finished twentieth and five points above the drop.

This season, he’s under a new Manager in Tony Mowbray who has looked to get the best out of him in a more traditional back four. Against Burton Albion in the clubs first competitive match of the season, a 2-1 League Cup win at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday, Alebiosu teamed up alongside Tom Atcheson, Sean McLoughlin and Harry Pickering in defence to play right back in what was a 4-2-3-1 formation.

This role suits the player who can link up with those in front whilst enjoying adequate cover, Rovers have a defensive midfielder with experience in Adam Forshaw who drops into duty when Alebiosu goes marching forward, whilst in attack he has already set up a decent partnership with the busy Ryoya Morishita as well as the clubs new signing Jayden Fevrier, who Alebiosu linked up with to create the winning goal for against the Brewers.

Form & Future…

It is no secret that Blackburn Rovers biggest issue will be keeping hold of Alebiosu as he is clearly better than the level he is currently at. Already a fans favourite after just one season at Ewood Park, he’ll be looking to build upon his personnel success of last year, and whilst he’s rated at £8m with some big names hovering for his signature, it’ll be up to him to keep his feet on the ground, keep doing what your doing son, and the rest will follow.

I predict under Tony Mowbray this player will only get better. Now at the ripe old age of 24 he’s had his apprenticeship and it’s time to show the nation (and the world) what he’s made of. A good solid season or half, will undoubtedly hold bigger and better moves to come.

theHEADscout.

I’m a sports DATA Analyst and PFSA associate scout with level two qualifications in talent identification and level one certificates in technical scouting & opposition analysis.