Part two of my striker series takes a look at players from outside of England. This includes looking into other parts of the UK, as well as overseas.
One league I started following at the start of 2024 was the League of Ireland Premier Division. I have made lists of players from each club this season, as well as the obvious standouts who I knew about already. Whilst not many of these were strikers, there is no doubt, there is a lot of talent over there.
Notts have already used the overseas market to find a gem of a striker in Alassana Jatta, who has so far been a big success, scoring double figures for the club in all competitions this season already. Another successful capture from overseas has been Ruben Rodrigues, who is now playing Championship football with Oxford.
Name: Johnny Kenny
Club: Celtic
Age as of January 1st 2025: 21
Height: 6’1
End of contract: 2026
A player who I’m keen on and would love to have at Notts, Kenny is near the end of his 2nd loan spell at Shamrock from Celtic and has contributed double figures in goals in the 2024 League of Ireland campaign. Despite not winning the title, Kenny scored 13 goals in the league and added to that with 2 goals in European qualification and 5 goals in the Conference League.
He also contributed 2 assists and had the best goals per 90 minutes ratio at 0.68. He also topped the stats list for shots on target per 90 and shots per 90 (conversion rate). He finished the season third in the League of Ireland scoring charts, with all of his goals coming from open play.
One big asset to Kenny’s game is his pace. As shown by his first goal against Vikingur Reykjavik. He makes the run in behind, before calmly cutting back inside and drilling the ball past the keeper.
Not just does it show his pace, but also his composure, which is also seen for his 2nd goal. He brings the ball into the penalty area and takes his time before pulling the trigger, slotting the ball in at the keepers near post.
What is crucial for Notts is they have a striker who is quick and can run in behind and Kenny is both. He utilises the run in behind again, against Dundalk in their fixture on July 4th. His touch takes it away from the defender and smashes it into the far corner. He scored a similar goal against Drogheda on May 31st, where he makes the run in behind and once again produces a spectacular finish.
Kenny is also adept in the air. Whilst his pace and running in behind is his main attribute, he is 6’1 and he’s shown his aerial ability in the League of Ireland this year. One instance is from a corner against Drogheda on April 29th. The corner is sent to his position, just beyond the penalty spot, he gets above his marker and unleashes a powerful header into the opposite corner of the goal. He scored a similar goal against Galway at Tallaght in a 1-1 draw on April 26th. This one was helped by the keeper getting a touch on it, but that’s not to take anything away from a good header.
Having had a successful season in 2024 and having played European football, this could seem a bit on the ambitious side, but Kenny has been at Celtic for 2 years and still not had a look in. With Adam Idah continuing his goalscoring form at Celtic Park, and Kenny having had 2 loans in the same league that The Bhoys bought him from, it could sway teams in England to take an interest. Kenny has all the attributes to be a complete striker and would be a fine addition for Notts or any League 2 or League 1 side. If I’m being honest, he’s the one I want the most out of any striker in these pieces. Notts, MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Name: Jonathan Afolabi
Club: KV Kortrijk (on loan at SC Cambuur)
Age as of January 1st 2025: 24
Height: 6’2
End of contract: 2026
After finishing as joint top scorer in the 2023 League of Ireland, things haven’t gone to plan for Jonathan Afolabi. After finishing the season with 15 goals for Bohs, he left to join KV Kortrijk but could only muster 1 goal before being sent on loan to SC Cambuur in the Eerste Divisie for the 2024-25 season. 1 goal in 7 appearances so far is a far call from his prolific days at Dalymount Park.
However, his current record doesn’t define his goalscoring record and ability. Kortrijk went through 3 managers in 2023-24 and when things are that unstable, it doesn’t provide the best platform for any player, even if Isaak Davies hit double figures (another reason why Afolabi couldn’t rediscover his goalscoring form from Ireland).
As a player, Afolabi is a powerful but quick front man, who has a strong left foot and a good ability to find space and evade his marker.
The sample size we will show of Afolabi’s abilities is his 2023 League of Ireland season where he scored 15 goals. Several of these goals showcase his combination of strength, athleticism and pace.
Only 2 of his goals from that season were headed goals. One of these was away to St Pats where he positions himself at all times on the 6-yard line, finds space away from the defenders in a congested penalty area and rises highest to head home. As we will see in others goals, his positioning and anticipation of the when the ball is going to be played is a big strength to his game.
Afolabi played at the highest point of attack for Bohs during 2023 and quite a few of his goals came from playing on the last line of the opposition defence. One of these goals comes in a 3-2 win over Dundalk, where Afolabi scores the winning goal late on to complete the comeback. Bohs counter with James Clarke playing the ball through to Afolabi and he shows great composure to place the ball low, past the on-rushing keeper.
Another example of him playing on the last line of defence is in Bohs’ 2-0 win against UCD at Dalymount. This one comes from an over the top through ball and despite Afolabi starting further behind the defender, by the time the ball has bounced inside the penalty area, he is already in front of him and finishes with power and accuracy. This showcases his speed and ability to get in behind the defence, something that is crucial for Notts as the team lacks pace in attacking areas. (Apologies for the blurriness of the picture, it’s due to the moving camera at the time of Afolabi starting his run).
However, it’s his goal against Sligo that really showcases multiple strengths in his game. He receives the ball just beyond the half way line (yet still he is Bohs’ furthest player forward). He holds up the ball well, allowing the wide players to make runs off of him. He then continues his run after laying the ball off whilst three Bohs players move ahead of him. The ball is played out to Dylan Connolly who takes it around the keeper and plays it back to Afolabi, who after laying the ball off, made a run into the penalty area and positioned himself to be able to finish first time, with no opposition defenders close to him.
For Notts to be able to sign him, Kortrijk would need to bring him back from his loan in the Eerste Divisie. His move to Belgium hasn’t worked out and a move to England, whether on a permanent deal or on loan could prove to be beneficial in getting him back on track.
Name: Benji Magee
Club: Larne
Age as of January 1st 2025: 22
Height: 6’0
End of contract: 2026
One of the brightest talents in Northern Ireland, in 2023-24, Magee hit 16 goals for Loughgall in the NIFL Premiership, attracting the interest of champions Larne. It’s been a mixed start to life as an Inver Red, with him notching 2 goals, making sporadic appearances, but also assisting the tie winning goal for Larne in their Conference League qualifier against Lincoln Red Imps.
Magee can play anywhere across the front line but is best suited down the middle. He has been noted for his ability to drive past players with his pace. He is very direct and is a strong runner and ball carrier. This is shown in his goal against Larne, for Loughgall. In the last minute, he picks up the ball on the byline, takes it past three players, weaving in and out, before taking his shot which is too powerful for the keeper.
His first two goals in a 3-1 win over Newry typifies the type of player he is and his directness. He takes the ball down from a long pass and gets around his man and uses a burst of pace to bear down on goal and finish powerfully into the opposite corner.
His 2nd goal is even more impressive. Again, he picks up the ball in a wide position, going past his man and driving into the box with a burst of pace. Here he plays a quick one-two with his teammate and strikes the ball powerfully into the top corner. This ability to make quick, key decision making and being able to see who’s around him to receive a pass is essential in any forward. At a young age, this will only improve.
Magee also has the ability to drop deep for the ball, linking up the play before making a run in behind or into the channels to stretch defences. This is a key aspect of what Notts need as Jatta can make them runs in behind, but is also used as a focal point. He can also run in behind the opposition defence. One example of this, is his goal against Dungannon Swifts, where he breaks the offside trap to run in behind and latch on to an over the top through ball and finish past the keeper.
Benji Magee was called up to the Northern Ireland under 21’s squad this year and his future looks bright. He needs more game time at Larne if he is to take the next step. He was linked to Walsall this past summer but Larne got there before The Saddlers. The difficulty will be signing him only 5 months into his time as an Inver Red. It is a risk worth taking for a player who has the potential to kick on further. I would really like to see him at Notts and despite him only signing for Larne this past summer, he is someone I can see playing in the EFL soon.
Name: Taylor Silverholt
Club: Helsingborg
Age as of January 1st 2025: 23
Height: 5’11
End of contract: 2026
Having signed Alassana Jatta from the shores of Scandinavia, I went looking around the 1st and 2nd tiers of Denmark and Sweden to see if there were any other players Notts could potentially look at.
Having taken a look at the scoring charts and watched a few videos, I came across Helsingborg front man Taylor Silverholt. During the 2024 Superettan season, Silverholt hit 13 goals for Helsingborg who finished 4th, just one place off the promotion/relegation play-off spot. Fellow Superettan striker Gustav Lindgren signed for Peterborough in the summer and his contract takes effect from January 1st and Jatta’s return to Notts, show there is a lot of promise into looking into Scandinavia.
Despite needing to improve in the duels, he had an average of 192 minutes per goal this season and is a very hardworking striker. Silverholt has good positional sense and is composed in front of goal.
He scored a hattrick away at IK Brage in which for the first goal, he positions himself between the defenders and stoops low to header in the opening goal from an early cross into the box.
He converted a penalty to make it a brace and completes his hattrick where he stays on the last defender but ghosts into the 18-yard box completely unmarked, as Helsingborg attack in numbers. His positioning here means he has time to take the first touch on his right foot, before finishing with his left.
Silverholt once again shows his off the ball movement and positional sense in the reverse fixture (which was actually the 2nd game of their season) against IK Brage. Here, the ball is played over the top and Silverholt shows his determination and willingness to get infront of his marker, beat him to the ball, take it past him and slot it into the bottom corner. This combination of being able to read the game when the ball gets played, the mentality to get to the ball first, produce a good enough first touch and accelerate past his man before calmly finishing, shows all the good attributes needed to be a top striker.
The Helsingborg frontman also has the ability to play on the counter at pace as shown by his goal away at Sandvikens. Helsingborg counter and Silverholt is already on his bike making a run forward when his teammate receives the ball inside the Sandvikens half. He shows his pace by latching onto the ball, between the two defenders and bearing down on goal, once again showing excellent composure to score with the two defenders close and the onrushing goalkeeper.
Despite his duels being a part of his game, he needs to work on, his close ball control is solid. This is on full display in a crucial promotion encounter against Orebro, where the ball is played ever so slightly behind him but his first touch gets it under control. From then, the Orebro player behind him attempts to outmuscle him but Silverholt keeps hold of the ball and nips in between two Orebro players and calmly rolling the ball into the net. This is quite an impressive showing of close ball control, awareness in tight situations, technical and finishing ability.
The Scandinavian market has a plethora of potential and Taylor Silverholt is amongst them talents. At 23, he still has lots of time to improve further and I can see EFL teams being interested. Notts have already used this market to full effect before, especially in the striker position. Silverholt will have his suitors and whether he gets a move in January or not, he’s certainly had a breakout season in the Superettan.
Name: Wilson Waweru
Club: Sligo Rovers
Age as of January 1st 2025: 24
Height: 6’1
End of contract: 2025
Another look into the League of Ireland and this time to Sligo Rovers, who finished 6th in 2024. I’ve made my desire clear that Notts need to look into the League of Ireland a lot more than we have done. It’s worked a lot for Lincoln and Oxford in the past (the former especially). I started taking an interest in the league very early in 2024, seeing the promise and the potential in players and the potential for Notts to recruit from the league, as there is a lot of talent.
One of the players who could be on the list of potential EFL recruits is Sligo’s Wilson Waweru. The contributions of himself, Ellis Chapman, Fabrice Hartmann and Niall Morahan kept The Bit O’Red in no man’s land along with Waterford as the two clubs who weren’t involved in the title race, but were also in no danger of going down (hence no man’s land).
Waweru hit 7 goals in the league and scored a hattrick in the FAI Cup. He hit a purple patch in form around July and August, where 4 of his 7 goals came from. When Sligo won, Waweru was usually on the scoresheet during this time.
He usually does most of his work inside the penalty area, where 6 of his 7 goals came from. He has good positioning in the lead up to some of these goals. The first is the winning goal against eventual champions Shelbourne. He takes up space between the two defenders to receive the ball from Ellis Chapman and whilst Shels deal with the first phase, the ball falls to Luke Pearce whose shot is saved and Waweru is in the right place at the time to score.
Against Bohs on July 12th, Sligo counter and he places himself between the last two defenders where beats them both to the ball with his pace and calmly rounds the keeper to score.
In Sligo’s home game with Dundalk on September 21st, he once again picks up the right position to score. A cross come in a from the wing, after the first phase of a free-kick isn’t dealt with. Waweru places himself between two Dundalk players and does well to get the right amount of power on his header, with his body sideways to the goal.
This also shows his ability in the air. Waweru won 92% of his offensive duels in 2024 and has power to go with his pace. In the whole season, 95% of his shots were on target. Whilst he may have only had 18 shots, 95% is still a fantastic percentage. This is in a Sligo team that cannot compete on the same level as Shamrock, St Pats and Derry in terms of pull and finance. The club is used to losing their best players (case in point, Niall Morahan recently leaving for Bohemians).
Despite the majority of his goals coming from inside the penalty area, he does have an eye for the spectacular, whether it was his first time volley against Galway or his powerful strike, albeit a consolation against Waterford or his incredible backheel against Drogheda on March 16th.
Overall, Waweru has all the necessary attributes to play in the EFL. He has pace, power and athleticism. It’s sooner rather than later when someone takes a chance on him.
Name: Matty Lusty
Club: Larne
Age as of January 1st 2025: 21
Height: 5’7
End of contract: 2025
The 2nd Larne player on this list and the 2nd player from the NIFL Premiership. So far in his career, Lusty has mostly been a winger but has recently been converted to a striker for the 2024-25 season and has pushed summer signing Benji Magee out of the side.
Lusty has made 3 appearances for Northern Ireland under 21’s and signed a contract extension at Larne this past summer that takes him to the end of the 2026/27 season. Lusty joined Larne as part of their scholarship programme in connection with Steven Gerrard’s academy. Last season he had a loan spell at Dungannon Swifts in which he scored 9 goals in the league and 3 in the cup, before his season ended with a shoulder injury.
Despite being only 5’7, Lusty has a record of 4.4 duels won per game this season (26%). His technical ability is a real strength of his, with him having very good close ball control. As we will see with a look at some of his goals, he is quick, is a composed finisher and has an excellent strike on him.
Let’s start off with an example of a recent goal for Larne against Glentoran. When the ball is played over the top from the byline, Lusty has started a run in behind and when the ball goes over the Glens defender, Lusty is there to latch onto it, holding off the Glentoran defender, before finishing calmly into the corner to make it 2-0.
Another goal which showcases his ability to run in behind is his second goal in a 2-1 win over Loughgall. Whilst you can’t see his starting position due to the camera angle, his run in behind, down the wing, gets him beyond the Loughgall defence and once again, he shows his ability to finish calmly when one-on-one. This ability to be able to make line breaking runs is crucial for Notts if they are to break down opposition defences. It was a great strength of Macaulay Langstaff.
Another strength of Langstaff was his pressing. This is something which Lusty has as well. In a match against Coleraine, in which Swifts came from 2-1 down to win 3-2 with Lusty scoring a last-minute winner, it’s his contribution to that last minute goal which is so important.
With Coleraine playing out from the back, he immediately realises the pressing triggers when Lee Lynch (Coleraine’s number 16) receives the ball with his back towards Lusty. The Northern Ireland under-21 international wins the ball off of him and bares down on goal in which he wins a penalty. He would miss the penalty but score the rebound to win The Swifts the game in the 91st minute.
It’s the ability to press the opposition and realise pressing triggers when players receive the ball in vulnerable positions that could help Notts massively in the way they want to win the ball back high up the pitch, like Stuart Maynard wants us to do.
The last of the goals we will look at is his first goal against Loughgall in the same fixture as mentioned earlier. Here he picks up the ball in the half space and carries the ball a few yards before unleashing a swerving effort that bamboozles the keeper. He repeated this for Larne in their UECL qualifier away to Ballkani, in which his effort from outside the area hits the bar and drops behind the line to give the Inver Reds the lead.
When teams sit in low blocks, this will be a key asset to have as I feel Notts don’t shoot enough when given the opportunity, especially in positions just outside the 18-yard box.
Matty Lusty is a player who has a high ceiling and with further development is only going to get better. His recent call up to Northern Ireland’s under-21’s and his goalscoring exploits in Larne’s European campaign shows his promise.
His recent contract extension may make a deal difficult but he is an option worth looking at. There is plenty of potential and money to be made from the NIFL Premiership and the League of Ireland.
Name: Sævar Atli Magnússon
Club: Lyngby
Age as of January 1st 2025: 24
Height: 5’9
End of contract: 2025
We once again look to Scandinavia for our next player. As said before, Notts looked to these shores in January to bring in Alassana Jatta, who has been a big success so far at Meadow Lane.
Sævar Atli Magnússon started his career in his home country of Iceland, where he spent his youth career and six years of his senior career at Leiknir Reykjavik. He was a consistent goalscorer for Leiknir in the 2nd division (1. deild karla), where for three consecutive seasons he made 20 or more appearances for the capital club. He would hit double figures (13) in Leiknir’s promotion season in 2020, where they would go up on PPG. He made the transition to the top flight, scoring 10 goals, finishing as the joint fourth top goalscorer. Off of the back of this, he earned a move to Danish side Lyngby, where he has since spent 4 seasons.
He scored 5 times and assisted a further 3 in 32 appearances last season, 23 of which he started. This season he has made 16 appearances, scoring twice and assisting once. Some of these numbers might not seem great, but Lyngby were fighting relegation last season and are struggling even more this season. Despite this, he has made 5 appearances for Iceland’s national team, where he has previously played at every level for the national team.
Magnússon can play up front or on the wing (where he has played most of his football for Lyngby) and can sometimes be utilised as an attacking midfielder. As we will see in the goals, his positioning is by far his best asset.
The first goal comes from this season where Lyngby take on Randers. This is where we see Magnússon’s clever movement. Patient build-up play on the edge of the box, sees the ball cut back for Magnússon, who has positioned himself ahead of his marker in the centre of the penalty area. When the ball does arrive, he is first to react and prods the ball home from around 9-10 yards out, equalising for Lyngby.
Another example of his excellent movement and positioning can be found in Lyngby’s home game against Vejle. As shown, when the cross is coming in, he his already making a run to the near post, pointing to where he wants the ball to be played. From here, he gets infront of the defender, takes the first touch on his left foot, which gives him enough space to swivel and shoot into the far corner. This is a very nice finish to cap off an intelligent piece of play by the Icelandic international.
He once again shows his positioning intelligence against Odense from the 2023-24 season. The game finishes in a 2-2 draw, with this goal from Magnússon giving Lyngby a 2-1 lead a few minutes into the 2nd half. The cross is headed away, but not as far as Magnússon, who has taken up the free space on the edge of the 18-yard box. From here he shows his technical ability, taking it past the Odense midfielder with some neat touches before placing the ball into the corner. When playing as a striker, we may see this side of his game a lot more.
Magnússon is currently a regular starter at Lyngby and with their precarious position towards the bottom of the Danish Superliga, this may make a deal difficult.
Richard Montague has recently spoken about how only 1 or 2 foreign player spots remain in the Magpies squad and we’ll need to be sure about our choices to make sure we fill up these slots with players with good potential and who can be developed.
However, Jatta came from a Danish top flight club and Viborg, at the time, were higher in the league than where Lyngby currently find themselves. This may make a deal possible if the right kind of money can be put towards it. Either way, he is a player who has shown good promise so far and can definitely take that next step.
Declan Weliczko