Scunthorpe United manager Andy Butler has confirmed the club are hoping to keep striker Aramide Oteh at Glanford Park, after the trialist made an immediate impact with a goal on his debut in midweek.
The 27-year-old forward, who is currently a free agent, featured as a non-contract trialist in Tuesday’s 2-0 National League Cup victory over Newcastle United U21s.
Oteh wasted little time in showing the Iron faithful what he is capable of. He broke the deadlock in the first half with a moment of quality, making an intelligent run to latch onto a Kian Scales pass before applying a calm, clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Butler admitted that while the footballing side of the trial was a resounding success, the logistics of a permanent deal still need to be ironed out.
“We spoke to his agent and knew he’d come out of TNS with a good goalscoring record, so we thought we’d have a look at him,” Butler told BBC Radio Humberside.
“He trained with us for a few days and I thought he did, on the whole, really well. You can see he is a clinical goalscorer and looked tidy in his build-up play.
“But obviously, now comes the hard part where we have to make sure we get a deal that is right for himself and the club. There is a conversation to be had with himself and his representative now about where we go.”
Oteh arrives in North Lincolnshire with a pedigree that suggests he could be a coup for Butler’s side.
Having come through the academy ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, he was highly tipped as a youngster before breaking into the first team at Queens Park Rangers, making over 20 appearances for the Championship side.
He has since built significant EFL experience, applying his trade in League One and League Two during loan spells with Walsall, Bradford City, Stevenage, and Colchester United, before joining Salford City on a permanent basis. Most recently, he had been playing for Welsh champions The New Saints.
With the Iron looking to bolster their attacking options, Butler is hoping a compromise can be reached to keep the forward in claret and blue.
“We will put our best offer forward and see what we can do,” Butler added. “Sometimes it’s not all about the money, sometimes it’s about playing and enjoying football.”
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