Born in Nigeria, Victor joined Chelsea Foundation as a sessional coach in 2017, before joining the school’s education team as a coordinator, working across a number of projects including Premier League Inspires and Premier League Primary Stars.

Since then, Victor has led the development of Chelsea Foundation’s education programme in Kingston, creating and delivering various Premier League and wider foundation activities in this area, as well as leading on the delivery of Chelsea Foundation’s Premier League Fans Fund project, which aims to grow and diversify the fanbase of Chelsea Women’s team.

All Premier League fixtures between 19 and 27 October will be dedicated to the No Room For Racism initiative, highlighting the ongoing work the League carries out to tackle discrimination and promote diversity within football.

All 20 Premier League clubs have nominated a No Room For Racism Icon to highlight the contribution of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in football and showcase the importance of diversity on and off the pitch.

Victor said: ‘I am grateful and very honoured to have been nominated by Chelsea FC and Chelsea Foundation for this. When I applied to be a sessional coach in 2017, I never imagined my journey would bring me here. I was just a black Nigerian boy from south-west London who loved football and wanted to be involved in any way I could.

‘I went from working an hour a week at an after-school club, to working on the development and advanced centres and had the privilege of scouting for the Academy for three seasons. Never did I imagine I’d have the opportunity to now work full-time as a senior schools education officer, a role I love as it allows me to have a positive impact and engage with children and young people, giving them tools to be the best they can be.

‘Whist going through this journey, I have navigated it as Victor, not considering my skin colour, but moments with the children remind me how important representation is. Going into a school and having a Black child say, “It’s nice to have a teacher who looks like me,” really warms me and reminds me that the fight against racism happens every day, knowingly and unknowingly. I’m glad to be a role model and a reminder to young children that they can achieve anything regardless of their race.

‘Throughout my seven years, I’ve always felt included at the club and the Chelsea Foundation, the colour of my skin never being a barrier to what I could achieve here. The environment created by the club has allowed me to flourish personally and professionally, creating a pathway for me to learn and grow. Being part of the Chelsea family, I am grateful for all I’ve been able to achieve and look forward to achieving more, making a positive impact on our community and playing my tiny part in ensuring there is no room for racism.’

Victor will be recognised for his achievement at our Premier League fixture versus Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 27 October.