Swedish youth international Zebedee Kennedy joins Como 1907 as Nigerian Europe-based activist celebrates major football breakthrough
Nigerian Europe-based activist and Edo State-born Bruce Esan has announced a major football milestone for his family following the permanent signing of his son, Zebedee Kennedy, by Italian Serie A club Como 1907.
Esan announced the development in a celebratory message, expressing gratitude to God for what he described as a major achievement for his son and family.
“It’s official. My boy joined Serie A club Como 1907. All glory to God for all his mercy and kindness towards me and my family and everyone who believes,” Esan said.
The announcement comes after Como 1907 officially confirmed the permanent signing of the young Swedish forward from Mjällby AIF, with Kennedy joining the club’s youth sector ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Born in 2010, Kennedy developed through the youth system of GIF Sundsvall before moving to Mjällby AIF in 2025.
Despite his young age, the forward has already gained international experience with Sweden’s youth national teams.
Como 1907 said Kennedy has represented Sweden at both Under-15 and Under-16 levels, recording four goals in 10 appearances.
The Italian club described the teenager as a fast and physically strong attacker with a strong instinct for scoring goals.
His arrival at Como represents another important step in his development, as he joins a European club competing in one of the world’s most respected football leagues.
Como’s Head of Development, Osian Roberts, welcomed the young forward to the club and expressed confidence in his potential.
According to Roberts, Kennedy possesses physical strength and a strong goal-scoring instinct, while his experience with Sweden’s youth national teams has already demonstrated his ability at international level.
Roberts said Como would work with the player to help him continue his development and expressed happiness at welcoming Kennedy and his family to the club.
Kennedy himself also expressed excitement about joining Como and beginning the next stage of his football career in Italy.
“I am very happy to have arrived at this club and in this city. I look forward to being available to the club, I think Como is the perfect place for my growth,” the young footballer said.
The move places Kennedy within the youth development structure of a Serie A club, giving him an opportunity to train and develop within the Italian football system.
For Esan and his family, the announcement is being celebrated as a significant achievement and another indication of the opportunities available to young African and European-based football talents who successfully progress through structured youth football systems.
Esan’s public celebration has also attracted attention because of his Edo State background and his activities as a Europe-based Nigerian activist.
His message focused largely on gratitude, recognising the role of God and the support of people who have believed in his family.
The development is also notable because Kennedy’s football journey has progressed through the youth systems of Swedish clubs before his move to Italy.
Rather than immediately entering senior professional football, he will continue his development within Como 1907’s youth structure, where the club will seek to improve his technical, tactical and physical qualities.
The club’s description of Kennedy as a physically strong and goal-oriented forward suggests that his attacking qualities have played an important role in the decision to bring him to Como.
His previous international appearances for Sweden further add to his football profile.
At Under-15 and Under-16 level, Kennedy has already had the opportunity to represent Sweden against international opposition, gaining valuable experience at a formative stage of his career.
The next challenge will be to continue his development and eventually compete for opportunities at higher levels of the game.
For young footballers, joining a major European club is only the beginning. The transition from youth football to senior professional football remains one of the biggest challenges in the sport.
Kennedy will therefore have to continue working hard, adapting to Italian football and taking advantage of the development opportunities provided by Como.
His family will also play an important role in supporting him through the next stage of his career.
Como 1907’s decision to make the signing permanent indicates that the club sees potential in the young forward and believes he can develop into an important player within its football structure.
The move also provides Kennedy with exposure to Italian football, a system traditionally known for tactical discipline, technical development and structured youth pathways.
While there is still a long road ahead before Kennedy can establish himself in senior football, his move to Como represents a significant milestone for a player born in 2010.
For Bruce Esan, however, the immediate focus is celebration and gratitude.
His announcement reflects the pride of a father watching his son take another major step towards achieving his football ambitions.
The Edo-born activist also used the occasion to acknowledge those who have supported and believed in his family.
The development will likely generate interest among Nigerians, particularly people from Edo State, who often celebrate young talents from the state making progress on international platforms.
Kennedy’s story also demonstrates the increasingly international nature of modern football.
A young player with Swedish international experience, developed through Swedish clubs, has now moved to Italy to continue his football education within the youth system of a Serie A club.
For now, the objective is clear: development, hard work and gradual progression.
Como 1907 has welcomed Zebedee Kennedy and his family, while the young forward has expressed his belief that the club and city provide the right environment for his growth.
The football journey has taken another major step.
And for Bruce Esan, the message remains one of gratitude:
