James Olayinka
English footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka (born 5 October 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 5 October 2000[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Lambeth, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Derry City | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2019 | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2022 | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| 2020 | → Northampton Town (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | → Southend United (loan) | 20 | (2) |
| 2022–2024 | Cheltenham Town | 38 | (1) |
| 2025 | Waterford | 31 | (1) |
| 2026– | Derry City | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:51, 21 November 2025 (UTC) | |||
Career
Arsenal
Olayinka began his career with Arsenal.[3] He signed his first professional contract with the club in January 2019.[4]
On 29 August 2020, Olayinka was named an unused substitute in the 2020 FA Community Shield, with Arsenal clinching a 5–4 victory over Liverpool in the penalty shootout after the match finished 1–1 after 90 minutes.[5]
Loan to Northampton Town
In January 2020, Olayinka moved on loan to League Two side Northampton Town until the end of the season,[6][7] making his debut in a 3–0 win over Scunthorpe United on 28 January.[8] He helped Northampton Town to secure promotion to League One by winning the play-off final.[9]
Loan to Southend United
In October 2020 he joined Southend United on loan until January 2021.[10] He scored his first goal for the club, and his first professional goal, in an FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood on 7 November 2020.[11] On 1 February 2021, Olayinka extended his loan with Southend United to the end of the 2020–21 season.[12]
Cheltenham Town
He signed a two-year contract with Cheltenham Town on 1 September 2022.[13] On 2 January 2024, manager Darrell Clarke announced that Olayinka had been made available for transfer.[14] He was released by the club at the end of the 2023–24 season.[15]
Waterford
On 14 November 2024, it was announced that Olayinka would be joining League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford ahead of their 2025 season.[16] On 21 November 2025, it was announced that he would be departing the club at the end of his contract, having made 33 appearances and scored one goal in all competitions.[17]
Derry City
On 15 December 2025, League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City announced that Olayinka would join the club on a free transfer ahead of the 2026 season, signing a two-year contract.[18][19]
Personal life
Olayinka is of Nigerian descent.[20]
Career statistics
- As of match played 7 November 2025
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal U21 | 2018–19[21] | — | — | — | 4[c] | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||
| 2019–20[22] | — | — | — | 2[c] | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| 2020–21[23] | — | — | — | 2[c] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 2021–22[24] | — | — | — | 3[c] | 2 | 3 | 2 | |||||
| 2022–23[25] | — | — | — | 1[c] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Total | — | — | — | 12 | 3 | 12 | 3 | |||||
| Arsenal | 2019–20[22] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–21[23] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021–22[24] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Northampton Town (loan) | 2019–20[22] | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Southend United (loan) | 2020–21[23] | League Two | 20 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 |
| Cheltenham Town | 2022–23[25] | League One | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| 2023–24[26] | League One | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| Total | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 1 | ||
| Waterford | 2025[27] | LOI Premier Division | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 1[e] | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| Career total | 90 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 113 | 8 | ||
- Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
- Appearances in the League Two play-offs.
- Appearance in the 2025 League of Ireland Premier Division Promotion/Relegation play-off