Wikipedia

Kayode Odejayi

Olukayode Ishmael "Kayode" Odejayi (born 21 February 1982) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker, most recently for Guiseley. He is a former Nigeria international.

Kayode Odejayi
Odejayi playing for Accrington Stanley in 2014
Personal information
Full name Olukayode Ishmael Odejayi[1]
Date of birth (1982-02-21) 21 February 1982 (age 42)[2]
Place of birth Ibadan, Nigeria
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
0000–1999 Bristol City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2002 Bristol City 6 (0)
2001 → Forest Green Rovers (loan) 6 (1)
2002–2003 Forest Green Rovers 38 (13)
2003–2007 Cheltenham Town 148 (30)
2007–2010 Barnsley 72 (4)
2009 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 6 (1)
2009 → Colchester United (loan) 14 (6)
2010–2012 Colchester United 101 (11)
2012–2014 Rotherham United 42 (5)
2013–2014 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 32 (8)
2014–2015 Tranmere Rovers 40 (5)
2015–2017 Stockport County 70 (8)
2017–2019 Guiseley 66 (7)
Total 641 (103)
International career‡
2008 Nigeria 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:31, 25 October 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:14, 18 July 2015 (UTC)

Club career

edit

Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Odejayi started his career as a trainee at Bristol City and then moved on to Football Conference side Forest Green Rovers in 2002. 2002–03 turned out to be one of Rovers' best ever season since their foundation in 1890, and Odejayi was a key figure, scoring 13 goals as the club finished ninth.

Cheltenham Town

edit

Bobby Gould signed Odejayi in the summer of the 2002/03 season for Cheltenham Town. His first two seasons were a struggle but in his third season (2005–06) he played almost every game as Cheltenham went on to reach the play-off final, winning 1–0 against fancied Grimsby Town. He came to national attention in January 2006 when Cheltenham faced Newcastle United in the FA Cup 4th round. Odejayi gained plaudits after the game and he was linked with a move to Championship team Plymouth Argyle however the move never materialised.

Barnsley

edit

On 31 May 2007, Odejayi moved to Barnsley for a fee of £200,000, a Cheltenham record for a sale of a player. Forest Green Rovers received a windfall from the transfer as part of the terms of Odejayi's Cheltenham deal.[3]

He scored in the Reds' first friendly against Morecambe in a 2–1 defeat. He then bagged a brace against Portuguese side Louletano DC in a 3–2 win. In a 3–1 victory against Buxton he bagged his fourth goal in three.

Odejayi netted his first competitive goal for Barnsley against Scunthorpe United which effectively sealed a 2–0 victory for the Reds.[4]

In January 2009, there was talk of him being pursued by Barnsley's South Yorkshire neighbours, Rotherham United.[5]

Scunthorpe United (loan)

edit

On 26 February he was loaned to Scunthorpe. He played in 6 games scoring 1 goal against Walsall.[6]

Colchester United (loan)

edit

He was loaned to Colchester United on 16 September 2009 on a three-month emergency loan. He made a big impression at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, winning two penalties in his first game against Hartlepool United and then scoring a brace against high flying Charlton Athletic. He also went on to score against Huddersfield Town, Leyton Orient, Wycombe Wanderers, Bromley and Oldham Athletic.

He set up John-Joe O'Toole's first Colchester goal in a 1–1 draw at Tranmere Rovers, whilst Odejayi also assisted Simon Hackney's goal against Bromley in the FA Cup. His loan spell ended on 19 December with him having scored seven goals in sixteen games, six of which came in the Football League. When the January transfer window opened, Odejayi's loan form resulted in him being signed by Aidy Boothroyd on a permanent deal, thus also becoming Aidy's first permanent signing for Colchester United.

Colchester United

edit

On 24 December 2009 it was announced that Odejayi had signed for an undisclosed fee on a deal that would end in June 2012.[7] Odejayi scored his first goal as a full-time Colchester player in a 2–1 win against Carlisle where he came off the bench to score the winner in stoppage time to keep the U's in their promotion hunt. He added two further goals against Bristol Rovers and Yeovil before getting an injury after coming on as a sub against Walsall. Odejayi was named as Colchester United's official player-of-the-season for the 2011–12 season, having led the front-line with power and strength all campaign.[8]

Rotherham United

edit

On 15 May, Rotherham United completed the much-rumoured signing of Odejayi after talks with Steve Evans. He joined the Millers officially on 1 July. His first goal for the club came in the 3–0 win against Burton Albion on 18 August 2012, this was also the opening day of the New York Stadium, and, on his league debut for the club. His second came soon after to gain a point against Chesterfield, on 25 August 2012. However, only 5 goals all season grew to fans frustration as Alex Revell and Daniel Nardiello became the preferred striking partnership.

On 10 September 2013, Odejayi joined League Two side Accrington Stanley on a three-month loan.[9] On 1 January 2014, the loan was extended till the end of the 2013–14 League Two season.

Tranmere Rovers

edit

On 26 June 2014, following Odejayi's departure from Rotherham United, he signed a one-year deal with Tranmere Rovers.[10] At the end of the season, that saw Tranmere Rovers relegate out of League Two, Odejayi was released by the club.[11]

Stockport County

edit

Following Odejayi's release from Tranmere, he signed for National League North side Stockport County on 15 July 2015.[12]

Guiseley

edit

In July 2017 he signed for Guiseley.[13]

International career

edit

In May 2008, Odejayi made his first appearance for the Nigerian national team, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 friendly draw against Austria.[14]

Career statistics

edit

Club

edit
As of match played 21 November 2017
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
Bristol City 1999–2000[15] Second Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2000–01[16] Second Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 4 0
2001–02[17] Second Division 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 0
Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2001–02[17] Football Conference 6 1 2 0 — — 8 1
Forest Green Rovers 2002–03[18] Football Conference 38 13 2 0 — 0 0 40 13
Total 44 14 4 0 — 0 0 48 14
Cheltenham Town 2003–04[19] Third Division 30 5 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 34 5
2004–05[20] League Two 32 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 33 1
2005–06[21] League Two 41 11 6 2 2 0 7[b] 0 56 13
2006–07[22] League One 45 13 2 0 2 1 2[a] 1 51 15
Total 148 30 10 2 6 1 10 1 174 34
Barnsley 2007–08[23] Championship 39 3 4 1 1 0 — 44 4
2008–09[24] Championship 28 1 1 0 1 0 — 30 1
2009–10[25] Championship 5 0 — 2 0 — 7 0
Total 72 4 5 1 4 0 — 81 5
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2008–09[24] League One 6 1 — — — 6 1
Colchester United 2009–10[25] League One 28 9 4 1 — — 32 10
2010–11[26] League One 44 4 3 0 2 0 1[a] 0 50 4
2011–12[27] League One 43 4 2 0 1 1 1[a] 0 47 5
Total 115 17 9 1 3 1 2 0 126 19
Rotherham United 2012–13[28] League Two 42 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 45 5
2013–14[29] League One 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
Total 42 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 45 5
Accrington Stanley (loan) 2013–14[29] League Two 32 8 1 0 — — 33 8
Tranmere Rovers 2014–15[30] League Two 40 5 3 1 1 0 2[a] 1 46 7
Stockport County 2015–16[31] National League North 40 6 0 0 — 0 0 40 6
2016–17[31] 30 2 1 0 — 2[c] 1 33 3
Total 70 8 1 0 0 0 2 1 73 9
Guiseley 2017–18[31] National League 18 1 3 0 — 0 0 21 1
Career total 593 93 38 5 15 2 17 3 663 103
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Four appearances in Football League Trophy, three in League Two play-offs
  3. ^ Appearances in the FA Trophy

International

edit
As of match played 27 May 2008[32]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Nigeria 2008 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

edit

Cheltenham Town

Rotherham United

Individual

References

edit
  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 316. ISBN 9781845966010.
  2. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  3. ^ "Tykes sign Cheltenham's Odejayi". BBC Sport. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  4. ^ "Davey: Luck on our side". Sky Sports. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  5. ^ "RUFC - Millers make cash offer for Odejayi?". vitalfootball.co.uk. 13 February 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Scunthorpe 1–1 Walsall". BBC. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  7. ^ "Odejayi makes permanent move". Colchester United F.C. 24 December 2007. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
  8. ^ "Kayode Odejayi scoops main award". EADT. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Accrington Stanley: Rotherham's Kayode Odejayi joins on loan". BBC Sport. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  10. ^ "Kayode Odejayi: Tranmere Rovers sign ex-Rotherham United striker". BBC Sport. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Rovers Release Seven". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Young's view on Odejayi". Stockport County F.C. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Guiseley net Nigerian international striker Kayode Odejayi who once shocked Chelsea in FA Cup". Telegraph & Argus. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Kayode Odejayi". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  15. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  16. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  19. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  20. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  24. ^ a b "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  25. ^ a b "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  26. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  28. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  30. ^ "Games played by Kayode Odejayi in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  31. ^ a b c d Kayode Odejayi at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  32. ^ "Odejayi, Kayode". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  33. ^ "Grimsby 0–1 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 28 May 2006. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Colchester United Player of the Season". Coludaybyday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kayode Odejayi.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Kayode_Odejayi&oldid=1256734389"