19-year-old Peterborough linked prospect set to leave current club

Leyton Orient striker Ruel Sotiriou looks set to leave the club, after Martin Ling gave an update on his current contract situation.

The 19-year-old, who was reported by James Goodwin as being a target for Peterborough United, has reportedly turned down contract offers at Brisbane Road and could now be set to leave. The Edmonton-born striker has emerged from the Orient ranks, having spent time out on loan at Heybridge Swifts, Leatherhead, Bishops Stortford, Hampton and Richmond and Dover Athletic.

Ling, who is Director of Football at Orient, said; “We’ve offered him contracts since November, which he’s chosen not to accept.”

Sotiriou was reportedly identified as a possible Ivan Toney replacement, and as Toney looks likely to leave London Road in the wake of the recent pandemic, that could possibly open the door for the young striker.

He bagged three goals in as many games whilst with Dover, but was recalled early from that loan spell to devasting effect. He netted six times in nine League Two matches for Orient before the season was curtailed, further raising his profile.

Sadly, for Orient fans at least, it seems yet another potentially lethal young striker will be departing for pastures new.

Our View

Sotiriou has been around Orient for a while, but his stock rose significantly after he returned from the loan spell with Dover. He looked lethal during those final few games for Orient, not unlike Macauley Bonne and Josh Koroma.

Orient clearly wanted to keep him by offering new deals, but the player’s head seems to have been turned. If he doesn’t want to stay, fans will doubtless be happy to let him go and place the issue of a fee in the hands of the tribunal if they must. 

The question is would it be sufficient to cover the youngster’s potential value?

WHILST YOU’RE HERE, WHY NOT TAKE OUR FORMER FOOTBALLERS QUIZ AND TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON PLAYERS AND TEAMS FROM THE PAST?