Kay Banjo

Olakunle "Kay" Banjo (born December 3, 1992) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Maryland Bobcats FC.

Kay Banjo
Personal information
Full name Olakunle Banjo
Date of birth (1992-12-03) December 3, 1992
Place of birth Washington, D.C., United States
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Maryland Bobcats
Number 10
Youth career
2013 Screaming Eagles
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Towson Tigers 43 (15)
2014 UMBC Retrievers 22 (8)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 32 (3)
2018 Izee Auto FC
2021– Maryland Bobcats 15 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 10, 2021

Career

Youth and college

Banjo played four years of college soccer, three year at Towson University, before moving to University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2014.[1] Banjo finished his degree at Towson after the university's soccer program was dissolved and enrolled at UMBC as a graduate student.[2] In 2013, Banjo scored two goals for the Screaming Eagles of the Maryland International Soccer League as the team defeated the Maryland Bays 4–2 in the Rowland Cup final, Maryland's qualifying tournament for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The victory put the club within two wins of the tournament proper.[3] The team defeated the Aegean Hawks 1–0 in the next round to put them within one win of the tournament.[4] However, the Screaming Eagles were determined to have fielded multiple players who were not cleared by the USSF and the victory was given to the Hawks prior to the semi-final match.[5]

Professional

On January 15, 2015, Banjo was selected 38th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[6] However, he was not signed by the club.

Banjo signed his first professional contract on November 23, 2016, joining United Soccer League side Pittsburgh Riverhounds ahead of their 2017 season.[7] He made his first professional career start on April 13, 2017 against Saint Louis FC. He scored his first career goal in the fifth minute of the match, an eventual 1–2 defeat.[8]

On February 1, 2021, Banjo became the first professional signing by Maryland Bobcats FC, having previously played for the club at the amateur level in the United Premier Soccer League.[9]

Personal

Banjo is a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria.[10]

References
  1. "Kay Banjo". UMBC. Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  2. Tunstall, Brooke. "MLS Combine Notebook: Stolz Explains His Absence". America Soccer Now. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  3. "2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Screaming Eagles win first Maryland title, deny Bays a three-peat in chaotic fashion". thecup.us. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  4. Johnston, Matt (9 April 2013). "2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Four USASA Region I teams emerge from quarterfinals". thecup.us. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  5. Hakala, Josh (12 April 2013). "Screaming Eagles disqualified from USASA Region I qualifying, Aegean Hawks advance to semis". thecup.us. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  6. "Whitecaps FC select striker Kay Banjo in second round of 2015 MLS SuperDraft | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Archived from the original on 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
  7. "Riverhounds sign Shane Campbell and Kay Banjo - Pittsburgh Sports Castle | Pittsburgh Sports Castle". Archived from the original on 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
  8. Picardi, Anthony. "Kay Banjo Excels in First Professional Start Against STLFC". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  9. "Maryland Bobcats FC Sign Forward Kay Banjo as First Professional Signing In Club History". MarylandBobcatsFC.com. February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  10. "Kay Banjo". Archived from the original on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
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