Jili Buyabu
English footballer (born 2003)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jili Buyabu (born 9 August 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a wing-back for Forest Green Rovers on loan from EFL Championship club Sheffield United.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jili Buyabu[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 9 August 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Enfield, England | ||
| Position | Wing-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Forest Green Rovers (on loan from Sheffield United) | ||
| Number | 30 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Crystal Palace | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021 | Hornchurch | 13 | (2) |
| 2021– | Sheffield United | 1 | (0) |
| 2024 | → Motherwell (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | → Rochdale (loan) | 22 | (0) |
| 2025– | → Forest Green Rovers (loan) | 25 | (5) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 08:45, 26 February 2026 (UTC) | |||
Career
Buyabu began his career with Hornchurch in the Isthmian League in September 2021.[2][3] After an impressive start with Hornchurch, he transferred to Sheffield United on 21 December 2021 signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.[4] In December 2022, he started training with their senior side.[5] He made his professional debut with Sheffield United as a substitute in a 2–1 win over Birmingham City on 8 May 2023.[6]
He was loaned to Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on 1 February 2024.[7] On 21 February 2024, Buyabu returned to his parent club Sheffield United from Motherwell for personal reasons.[8]
On 12 October 2024, Buyabu joined National League side Rochdale on an initial one-month loan deal.[9] On 7 November 2024, this was extended until the end of January 2025[10] and on 1 February, extended until the end of the season.[11]
On 14 August 2025, Buyabu returned on loan to the National League, this time joining Forest Green Rovers on a season-long loan deal.[12]
Career statistics
- As of match played 30 August 2023
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hornchurch | 2021–22[3] | IL Premier Division | 13 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 1[a] | 0 | 17 | 3 | |
| Sheffield United | 2022–23[13] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[13] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| Motherwell | 2023-24 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | 14 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 3 | ||