Gbenga Arokoyo

Gbenga Arokoyo (born 1 November 1992) is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Swedish club Umeå FC as a defender.

Gbenga Arokoyo
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-11-01) 1 November 1992
Place of birth Kabba, Nigeria
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Umeå FC
Number 5
Youth career
Davish Athletic FC
Kwara Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Kwara United
2012–2014 Mjällby AIF 48 (1)
2014–2016 Gaziantepspor 35 (1)
2016–2017 Portland Timbers 1 (0)
2016 → Portland Timbers 2 (loan) 1 (0)
2018–2020 Kalmar FF 11 (1)
2021– Umeå FC 21 (1)
International career
Nigeria U20
2016– Nigeria 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 April 2022

Career

Arokoyo was signed by Kwara United from Kwara Football Academy in 2010. During his time at the club he was selected for the Nigeria national under-20 football team.[1] In early 2012 a delegation from Swedish club Mjällby AIF travelled to see him on location in Nigeria and in February they officially signed him.[2] In April 2013 an Allsvenskan game against Djurgårdens IF was suspended after Arokoyo got hit by a pear thrown by a Djurgården supporter.[3]

On 2 August 2016, Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer announced that they had signed Arokoyo.[4] He played in one game for the Timbers and one game for their second team, Portland Timbers 2, in 2016. During training before the 2017 season, he suffered an Achilles tendon tear, missing the subsequent season.[5]

On 13 December 2017, Arokoyo was traded along with Darlington Nagbe to Atlanta United FC.[6]

On 15 February 2021, Arokoyo signed with Umeå FC in the Swedish third-tier Ettan.[7]

Personal life

In his youth Arokoyo wanted to become a doctor but since his family could not afford to pay for the education he instead chose to become a professional footballer.[8]

References
  1. "Gbenga Arokoyo Sports Innovated". Sports Innovated. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  2. "Kogi-born Gbenga Arokoyo Set to Join Swedish Club". Kogi Reports. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  3. "Bröt matchen efter skandalscener". Aftonbladet. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  4. Goldberg, Jamie (2 August 2016). "Portland Timbers sign Nigerian defender Gbenga Arokoyo". Portland Oregonian (OregonLive.com). Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  5. Stejskal, Sam (31 January 2017). "Portland Timbers defender Gbenga Arokoyo to miss 2017 due to Achilles tear". MLS Soccer. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  6. "Timbers acquire up to $1.65 million in Allocation Money, 2018 international spot from Atlanta United FC in exchange for midfielder Darlington Nagbe, defender Gbenga Arokoyo". Timbers. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  7. "Gbenga Arokoya klar för Umeå FC" (Press release) (in Swedish). Umeå FC. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  8. "Här är Afrika – där är Europa". Dagens Nyheter. Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.


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