Tunji Akinola

Olatunji Oluwasehun Akinola (born 21 November 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League side Woking.

Tunji Akinola
Personal information
Full name Olatunji Oluwasehun Akinola[1]
Date of birth (1998-11-21) 21 November 1998
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Woking
Number 16
Youth career
0000–2006 Brimsdown Rovers
2006–2020 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 West Ham United 0 (0)
2020–2021 → Leyton Orient (loan) 33 (0)
2021–2023 Partick Thistle 34 (0)
2023– Woking 15 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:13, 22 October 2023 (UTC)

Career

West Ham United

Akinola first played for Brimsdown Rovers in north London, at around aged seven or eight, before joining West Ham United as a nine-year old.[2][3]

Akinola was promoted to the under-18 squad at the age of 15, made over 50 appearances at under-23 level and who made his maiden first-team appearance in a pre-season win over Wycombe Wanderers in August 2020. He played in the EFL Trophy against Colchester United in September 2020.[4] His departure from West Ham at the end of June 2021 was announced on 4 June 2021.[5]

Leyton Orient

Akinola signed for Leyton Orient on loan from West Ham United in October 2020.[3] He made his debut against Barrow on 10 October 2020.[6]

Partick Thistle

In August 2021, Akinola signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle.[7] Akinola scored the first professional goal of his career, opening the scoring as Thistle won 2–0 away to Stranraer in the Viaplay Cup.[8]

Akinola signed a one year contract extension with Thistle in January 2022.[9] On 25 January 2023, Akinola left Thistle by mutual consent.[10]

Woking

In July 2023, following a successful trial period, Akinola joined Woking.[11]

Style of play

During his time at the club, West Ham described Akinola as "tall and composed" and a "ball-playing" centre-back.[4]

Personal life

Akinola is of Nigerian descent.[12]

Career statistics
As of match played 21 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
West Ham United U21 2020–21 – 2[lower-alpha 1]020
West Ham United 2020–21[13] Premier League 00—00—00
Leyton Orient (loan) 2020–21[13] League Two 330100000340
Partick Thistle 2021–22[14] Scottish Championship 28020004[lower-alpha 2]1341
2022–23[15] Scottish Championship 6010301[lower-alpha 3]0110
Total 340303051451
Woking 2023–24[16] National League 15120—00171
Career total 821603071962
  1. Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  2. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; two appearances in the Premiership playoffs
  3. One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup.

References
  1. Tunji Akinola at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  2. "Academy Spotlight: Olatunji Akinola | West Ham United". www.whufc.com.
  3. "Akinola joins O's on loan from Hammers". 6 October 2020.
  4. "Olatunji Akinola". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  5. "Retained List issued – Fabián Balbuena to depart | West Ham United". www.whufc.com.
  6. "Barrow 1-1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport.
  7. "Former West Ham defender Tunji Akinola signs one-year deal with Partick Thistle". HeraldScotland.
  8. "Stranraer v Partick Thistle". BBC Sport.
  9. "Tunji Akinola extends contract until 2023".
  10. "Tunji Akinola leaves the club by mutual consent". Partick Thistle FC. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  11. "Tunji Akinola Signs". Woking Football Club. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  12. "West Ham youngster Tunji Akinola should go on loan to show his talent". HITC. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  13. "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  14. "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  15. "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  16. "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2023.


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