Tunji Akinola
Olatunji Oluwasehun Akinola (born 21 November 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League side Woking.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Olatunji Oluwasehun Akinola[1] | ||
Date of birth | 21 November 1998 | ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Woking | ||
Number | 16 | ||
Youth career | |||
–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]
Style of play
During his time at the club, West Ham described Akinola as "tall and composed" and a "ball-playing" centre-back.[4]
Career statistics
- As of match played 21 October 2023
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
West Ham United U21 | 2020–21 | – | 2[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
West Ham United | 2020–21[13] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
Leyton Orient (loan) | 2020–21[13] | League Two | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
Partick Thistle | 2021–22[14] | Scottish Championship | 28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 34 | 1 |
2022–23[15] | Scottish Championship | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
Total | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 45 | 1 | ||
Woking | 2023–24[16] | National League | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
Career total | 82 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 96 | 2 |
- Appearances in the EFL Trophy
- Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; two appearances in the Premiership playoffs
- One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
References
- Tunji Akinola at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
- "Academy Spotlight: Olatunji Akinola | West Ham United". www.whufc.com.
- "Akinola joins O's on loan from Hammers". 6 October 2020.
- "Olatunji Akinola". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- "Retained List issued – Fabián Balbuena to depart | West Ham United". www.whufc.com.
- "Barrow 1-1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport.
- "Former West Ham defender Tunji Akinola signs one-year deal with Partick Thistle". HeraldScotland.
- "Stranraer v Partick Thistle". BBC Sport.
- "Tunji Akinola extends contract until 2023".
- "Tunji Akinola leaves the club by mutual consent". Partick Thistle FC. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
- "Tunji Akinola Signs". Woking Football Club. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- "West Ham youngster Tunji Akinola should go on loan to show his talent". HITC. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- "Games played by Tunji Akinola in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2023.