The teenager has made an impressive start to the campaign in League Two and his performances have alerted clubs higher up the pyramid.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rouke, Norwich are among the clubs keeping tabs on the striker along with other Championship and Premier League clubs.
Burnley and Crystal Palace are also monitoring Ihionvien, who has been pushing for a spot in Colchester’s first-team squad after being a prolific scorer for the club’s under-21 side last season.
He also spent a period of time on loan at Maldon and Tiptree, scoring two goals in 13 appearances during a brief spell with the Isthmian North Premier League side back in 2022/23.
Goals in Colchester’s victories over Gillingham and Tranmere this season appear have been noticed. Ihionvien has only started one of the U’s seven league matches so far.
Ihionvien scored the second goal for Colchester in their 2-0 victory over Tranmere on Saturday after John Akinde’s deflected effort fell nicely into his path.
“I was delighted with Brad’s goal. It was a forward’s instinct and he’s a natural goalscorer. Brad’s hungry for goals and hungry to play and improve,” Garner told the Daily Gazette on Saturday.
“He’s another young player who I would like to see have a really good career here.
“He’s a really lovely lad with a really nice manner about him. We want pathways here and opportunities for the young players in the academy.
“Brad’s done well and he’s now got to push on and try and get past those who are currently in front of him.”
Norwich recently added Manchester City striker Daniel Ogwuru to their youth ranks on a free transfer having been in the market for a striker for Alan Neilson’s U21 squad.
The youngster was persuaded to join City ahead of other options due to the pathway that has existed for young talent to graduate from the academy into the first-team in recent years.
Tom Dickson-Peters and Ken Aboh are the other forwards who have featured in their young ranks.
City’s academy recruitment team have been busy this summer and brought a host of players into the club including Emmanuel Adeboyega, Pedro Lima and Guilherme Montoia.
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