Udinese set to sign James Abankwah for League of Ireland record fee

Junior Quitirna of Waterford in action against James Abankwah of St Patrick's Athletic during an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match last year. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Udinese are close to completing a swoop for St Patrick’s Athletic’s teenage defender James Abankwah for a record fee.

Gavin Bazunu’s €500,000 move to Manchester City from Shamrock Rovers in 2018 is currently the highest for a League of Ireland player but the Serie A side are prepared to pay a larger amount for the 18-year-old defender.