Wikipedia

Moses Odubajo

Moses Adeshina Ayoola Junior Odubajo (born 28 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Greek Super League club AEK Athens. He is a product of the Leyton Orient youth system and represented England at U20 level.

Moses Odubajo
Odubajo playing for Brentford in 2014
Personal information
Full name Moses Adeshina Ayoola Junior Odubajo[1]
Date of birth (1993-07-28) 28 July 1993 (age 31)[1]
Place of birth Greenwich, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.77 m)[2]
Position(s) Right-back
Team information
Current team
 AEK Athens
Number 29
Youth career
Millwall
2009–2010 Leyton Orient
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2014 Leyton Orient 93 (13)
2010 → St Albans City (loan) 1 (0)
2012 → Sutton United (loan) 3 (0)
2012 → Bishop's Stortford (loan) 2 (3)
2014–2015 Brentford 45 (3)
2015–2018 Hull City 42 (0)
2018–2019 Brentford 30 (0)
2019–2021 Sheffield Wednesday 40 (0)
2021–2022 Queens Park Rangers 28 (0)
2022–2024 Aris 53 (1)
2024– AEK Athens 5 (0)
International career
2015 England U20 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:00, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Leyton Orient

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Early years

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A right back or right winger,[3] Odubajo began his career at age 14 with local club Millwall and spent time with the club on trial, before leaving football behind at the age of 13, following the death of his mother.[4] He returned to Millwall following a break from the game, but failed to win a scholarship deal.[4] Odubajo was recommend by the Lions to Leyton Orient and went on trial with the club.[4] He was offered a scholarship by youth team manager Wayne Burnett, though Burnett later changed his mind about the deal.[4] Burnett left Orient in the summer of 2009 and Odubajo returned to the club, impressing new youth team manager Andy Edwards and finally winning a scholarship deal.[4] He appeared for the youth team during the 2009–10 season and contributed to the team's run to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.[3] Odubajo was an unused substitute for the first team on 11 occasions during the 2010–11 season and signed a one-year professional contract with the club on 29 April 2011.[5] He also won Orient's Youth Team Player of the Year award.[6]

Odubajo was called into the first team squad for four of Orient's matches early in the 2011–12 season and made his professional debut in a Football League Trophy first round East London derby versus Dagenham & Redbridge on 7 September 2011.[7] Initially named as a substitute, Odubajo replaced Elliot Omozusi after 64 minutes in a match which ended with a penalty shoot-out.[8] He scored a penalty in the shoot-out, which Orient lost 14–13.[9] He made five further appearances during the 2011–12 season and made his first start for the club in the final game of the campaign at home to Rochdale.[8] In the match, he scored his first senior goal with a "stunning" winner in a 2–1 victory.[6][8] The 25-yard strike earned him the club's Goal of the Season award.[10] On 25 June 2012, Odubajo signed a new one-year deal with the Os.[6]

First team breakthrough

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Featuring mainly as a right back during the opening months of the 2012–13 season,[3] Odubajo made regular substitute appearances and sporadic starts before finally breaking into the starting lineup in October 2012.[11] By then being increasingly being utilised as a right winger,[3] he put an end to the transfer speculation by signing a new two-year contract in February 2013.[12] Odubajo finished the 2012–13 season with 54 appearances, three goals and his performances during the campaign were recognised with the club's Young Player of the Year award.[13][14]

Now an important member of manager Russell Slade's starting XI, Odubajo played a vital role in the Orient's rise to the top of the League One table during the early months of the 2013–14 season,[15] which began with an eight-match winning streak.[16][17] Though Orient's table-topping form slowly slipped away by February 2014,[17] Odubajo scored intermittently throughout the season and his exploits saw him win the Football League Young Player of the Month award for April 2014.[16][18] He salvaged a draw for Orient in the 2014 League One play-off semi-final first leg versus Peterborough United and after a 2–1 victory in the second leg,[16] he opened the scoring versus Rotherham United in the final with a "brilliant" 25-yard volley, but the match would end with the Os succumbing to a loss on penalties.[19] Odubajo made 57 appearances and scored 12 goals during the 2013–14 season,[16] which proved to be his last for the club, as he departed Brisbane Road one month after the defeat.[20] During his time with Leyton Orient, Odubajo made 116 appearances and scored 16 goals for the club.[21]

St Albans City (loan)

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On 8 October 2010, Odubajo signed for Conference South club St Albans City on a one-month work experience loan.[22] He made four appearances and scored no goals for the club.[23]

Sutton United (loan)

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On 13 January 2012, Odubajo joined Conference South club Sutton United on a one-month loan.[24] He made three appearances during this spell.[25]

Bishop's Stortford (loan)

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On 25 February 2012, Odubajo joined Conference North club Bishop's Stortford on a one-month loan.[26] He scored a hattrick on his second appearance – a 5–0 win over Droylsden on 3 March – but was injured in the match and did not make any further appearances.[25][27]

Brentford

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On 27 June 2014, Odubajo joined Championship club Brentford on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee,[28] effective 1 July 2014.[20] BBC Sport reported the fee as being a £1 million club record.[29] Despite suffering with a "niggling injury",[30] Odubajo scored two goals in a three-match spell in late August and early September 2014.[31] After a run in the team on the right wing, injuries to Alan McCormack and Nico Yennaris saw Odubajo take over the right back position in late October.[32] He went on to establish himself in the position, though in March 2015 he admitted that he continued to find combining his attacking and defensive duties difficult.[33] By the time Brentford's season ended with defeat to Middlesbrough in the 2015 Championship play-off semi-finals, Odubajo had made 48 appearances and three goals.[31] He departed Griffin Park in August 2015.

Hull City

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On 7 August 2015, Odubajo joined Championship club Hull City on a three-year contract for a £3.5 million fee.[34] He was manager Steve Bruce's first-choice right back and made 53 appearances during a successful 2015–16 season,[35][36] which finished with victory in the 2016 Championship play-off final to clinch promotion to the Premier League.[37] During the 2016–17 pre-season, Odubajo suffered a dislocated kneecap, which caused ligament damage.[38] His recovery was delayed by a two fractures to the kneecap in successive incidents and he did not return to first team training until March 2018.[39] Later that month, Odubajo played his first match at any level since May 2016, with a 45-minute appearance for the U23 team in a 2–1 victory over Burnley.[40] Odubajo turned down the offer of a new contract and departed the club on 30 June 2018.[41][42]

Return to Brentford

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On 7 August 2018, Odubajo rejoined Championship club Brentford on a free transfer and signed a one-year deal, with the option of a further year.[42] He made his second debut for the club with a start in a 3–1 EFL Cup third round defeat to Arsenal on 26 September 2018.[43]

Sheffield Wednesday

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On 11 July 2019, he signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer.[44] He came in for a barrage of online abuse in December 2020 when he high fived a Nottingham Forest player Lewis Grabban after he scored against Wednesday.[45]

On 20 May 2021, it was announced that he would leave Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.[46]

Queens Park Rangers

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On 30 July 2021, Odubajo joined Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a one-year deal following a successful trial.[47]

On 20 June 2022, the club announced that Odubajo would depart the club upon the expiration of his contract.[48]

Aris

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On 8 July 2022, Odubajo joined Greek Super League club Aris on a three-year deal.[49]

AEK Athens

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On 18 July 2024, Odubajo signed for fellow Greek Super League club AEK Athens on a two-year deal.[50]

International career

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It was reported in December 2014 that Odubajo had been invited to a training camp with the Nigeria U23 squad,[51] which he did not attend.[52] He won five caps for England at U20 level, which included four appearances during the 2015 Toulon Tournament.[53]

Personal life

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Odubajo was born in Greenwich, London.[1] He was orphaned at the age of 13, when his mother died of malaria.[54] From that age he lived alone with his older brother Tom Bolarinwa, who is also a footballer. He attended Sedgehill School.[55]

Career statistics

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As of match played 25 November 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leyton Orient 2010–11[56] League One 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011–12[8] League One 3 1 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 5 1
2012–13[13] League One 44 2 4 0 1 0 5[a] 1 54 3
2013–14[16] League One 46 10 3 0 2 0 6[b] 2 57 12
Total 93 13 8 0 3 0 12 3 116 16
St Albans City (loan) 2010–11[23] Conference South 1 0 3 0 — — 4 0
Sutton United (loan) 2011–12[25][57] Conference South 3 0 — — — 3 0
Bishop's Stortford (loan) 2011–12[25][58] Conference North 2 3 — — — 2 3
Brentford 2014–15[31] Championship 45 3 1 0 1 0 2[c] 0 49 3
Hull City 2015–16[36] Championship 42 0 3 0 5 0 3[c] 0 53 0
2016–17[59] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2017–18[60] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 42 0 3 0 5 0 3 0 53 0
Brentford 2018–19[43] Championship 30 0 0 0 1 0 — 31 0
Sheffield Wednesday 2019–20[43] Championship 22 0 1 0 1 0 — 24 0
2020–21[61] Championship 18 0 1 0 3 0 — 22 0
Total 40 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 46 0
Queens Park Rangers 2021–22[62] Championship 28 0 2 0 3 0 — 33 0
Career total 284 19 19 0 17 0 17 3 337 22
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Three appearances in Football League Trophy, three appearances and two goals in League One play-offs
  3. ^ a b Appearances in Championship play-offs

Honours

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Hull City

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Moses Odubajo". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Moses Odubajo". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d "Leyton Orient FC Player Profiles". Leyton Orient F.C. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e Davies, Jonny. "THE BIG INTERVIEW: Moses Odubajo". Leyton Orient F.C. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Youth Duo Offered Pro Contracts". Leyton Orient F.C. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d "Odubajo Pens New Contract". Leyton Orient F.C. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Espn Fc". ESPN FC. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Leyton Orient 1–1 Dagenham & Redbridge". BBC Sport. 7 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Star Man 2012 – Leyton Orient Supporters Club". Orientsupporters.webeden.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Leyton Orient v Barnet". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  12. ^ "NEWS: Odubajo Signs New Contract". Leyton Orient F.C. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Lisbie wins Orient accolade". Sky Sports. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  15. ^ Stevens, Rob (23 May 2014). "Moses Odubajo: Young winger crucial in Leyton Orient rising". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Leyton Orient results for the 2013–2014 season". Archived from the original on 30 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Moses Odubajo named Football League Young Player of the Month". The Football League. 23 May 2014. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  19. ^ Maiden, Phil (25 May 2014). "Leyton Orient 2–2 Rotherham United (3–4 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  20. ^ a b "NEWS: Odubajo Transfer Agreed". Leyton Orient F.C. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Moses Odubajo | Football Stats | No Club | Age 25 | 2010–2018 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  22. ^ "Rush to sign Moses". St Albans City F.C. 8 October 2010. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014.
  23. ^ a b "Statistics: St Albans City [Powered by tplSoccerStats]". St Albans City F.C. Retrieved 28 June 2014.[dead link]
  24. ^ "Sutton loan for Odubajo". Leyton Orient F.C. 13 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  25. ^ a b c d "M. Odubajo: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  26. ^ "Stortford FC sign Orient winger on loan". Hertfordshire and Essex Observer. 25 February 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Stortford boss hopeful ahead of trip to Colwyn". Hertfordshire and Essex Observer. 6 March 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  28. ^ "Moses Odubajo signs for Brentford". Brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Moses Odubajo: Brentford sign Leyton Orient winger". BBC Sport. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  30. ^ Batham, Jon (25 August 2014). "Brentford boss praises resilient Odubajo". getwestlondon. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  31. ^ a b c "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  32. ^ Street, Tim (12 November 2014). "Brentford star relishing his new role". getwestlondon. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  33. ^ Wickham, Chris. "Brentford's Moses Odubajo 'delighted' to receive first England call-up to Under-20 squad". Brentford F.C. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  34. ^ "Tigers Sign Odubajo From Brentford". Hull City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  35. ^ Buckingham, Philip (5 March 2018). "Hull City defender Moses Odubajo returns to full training after 19 months out". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  36. ^ a b "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  37. ^ "Hull City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  38. ^ "Hull's Odubajo out for six more months". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  39. ^ McMonigle, Ken (5 March 2018). "Odubajo Takes The Next Step on Road Back To Fitness – Hull City Tigers". Hull City A.F.C. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  40. ^ "Hull Tigers Academy". hulltigersacademy.com. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  41. ^ "Moses Odubajo will leave Hull City this summer after turning down contact extension". Hull Live. Local World. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  42. ^ a b "Moses Odubajo returns to Brentford". Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  43. ^ a b c "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  44. ^ "Moses Odubajo completes Wednesday switch". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  45. ^ "Must be friends". Nottingham Post. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  46. ^ "Owls confirm 2020/21 retained list". www.swfc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  47. ^ "Odabaju signs one year deal with QPR".
  48. ^ "Moses Odubajo to depart". www.qpr.co.uk. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Ο MOSES ODUBAJO ΣΤΟΝ ΑΡΗ!" [MOSES ODUBAJO ON MARS!]. www.arisfc.com.gr (in Greek). 8 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  50. ^ "Στην ΑΕΚ ο Μόουζες Οντουμπάτζο!" [Moses Odubajo at AEK!]. www.aekfc.gr (in Greek). 18 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  51. ^ "allAfrica.com: Nigeria: I Did Not Decamp Eduok Due to Age Discrepancy, Says Siasia". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  52. ^ Street, Tim (23 March 2015). "Brentford star on his England call-up and dramatic equaliser". getwestlondon. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  53. ^ "England's matches: The under-20's". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  54. ^ "Brentford's Odubajo no stranger to a challenge". Ealing Times. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  55. ^ "Moses Heads Back To School". Leyton Orient F.C. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  56. ^ "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  57. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 322–323. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  58. ^ Williams; Williams (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2013. pp. 170–171.
  59. ^ "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  60. ^ "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  61. ^ "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  62. ^ "Games played by Moses Odubajo in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  63. ^ Williams, Adam (28 May 2016). "Hull City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  64. ^ Davies, Jonny. "NEWS: Lisbie Dominates Awards". Leyton Orient F.C. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
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