Ohi Omoijuanfo
Norwegian footballer (born 1994)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anthony Ohikhuaeme "Ohi" Omoijuanfo (born 10 January 1994) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a forward for China League One side Changchun Yatai.
|
Omoijuanfo in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Ohikhuaeme Omoijuanfo | ||
| Date of birth | 10 January 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Oslo, Norway | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Changchun Yatai | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Holmlia | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010 | Holmlia | 2 | (1) |
| 2011–2014 | Lillestrøm | 82 | (9) |
| 2015 | Jerv | 31 | (16) |
| 2016–2019 | Stabæk | 85 | (29) |
| 2019–2022 | Molde | 83 | (54) |
| 2022 | Red Star Belgrade | 18 | (10) |
| 2022–2025 | Brøndby | 59 | (23) |
| 2025– | Changchun Yatai | 40 | (9) |
| International career | |||
| 2010 | Norway U16 | 6 | (3) |
| 2011 | Norway U17 | 13 | (4) |
| 2011–2012 | Norway U18 | 14 | (3) |
| 2013 | Norway U19 | 6 | (3) |
| 2014–2016 | Norway U21 | 7 | (1) |
| 2017–2022 | Norway | 2 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 May 2026 | |||
Club career
Lillestrøm
On the last day of the 2010 season, Omoijuanfo became the youngest ever goalscorer in the Norwegian top division, at 16 years and 300 days. His record was broken by Håkon Lorentzen of Brann in 2013.[2] On 16 March 2011, Omoijuanfo signed a professional contract with Lillestrøm which would end after the 2013 season.[3] On 23 May 2013, it was announced that Omoijuanfo had agreed to a new contract that would keep him at Lillestrøm till the end of the 2015 season.[4]
Jerv
On 5 March 2015, Omoijuanfo joined Jerv on a free transfer and agreed to a contract that lasted till the end of the 2015 season.[5]
Stabæk
On 4 November 2015, Omoijuanfo signed a three-year contract with Stabæk Fotball, to commence on 1 January 2016.[6] He made his Stabæk debut on 11 March 2016 in an Eliteserien game Stabæk lost 1–0 away against Aalesund.[7] Omoijuanfo scored his first goal for Stabæk on 3 April 2016 in a game Stabæk lost 3–1 away against Bodø/Glimt.[7]
One of his most important performances of the 2016 Eliteserien playoff, when Stabæk faced his old club Jerv in a relegation playout. Stabæk was 0–1 down on aggregate when Omoijuanfo scored twice in the 83rd and 85th minute, Stabæk avoiding relegation.[8]
In the 2017 Eliteserien, Omoijuanfo scored 17 goals and became runner-up on the top goalscorer chart behind Nicklas Bendtner. He was more often fielded as a winger in the 2018 Eliteserien and scored less frequently.[9]
Molde
On 21 March 2019, Omoijuanfo joined Molde FK for a reported fee of between NOK 9 million and NOK 12 million.[10][11] He signed a three-year deal with the club.[12] Omoijuanfo made his Molde debut on 31 March 2019 in a 1–1 away draw against Sarpsborg 08.[7] On 7 April 2019, he scored his first goal for the club in his home debut in Molde's 3–0 win against his former club Stabæk.[13] On 10 April 2019, Omoijuanfo scored Molde's first goal in the club's 4–1 win against Vålerenga, his second goal in two home games at Aker Stadion. He scored a brace at Haugesund Stadion on 5 May 2019 in Molde's 2–1 win against Haugesund.[14] Omoijuanfo scored his third Eliteserien hat-trick, his first for Molde, in his team's 5–1 win against Viking on 20 May 2019.[15] On 11 July 2019, he scored Molde's seventh goal in the club's UEFA competitions record 7–1 win over KR in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round.[16] On the 2019 Norwegian football awards Fotballfesten, Omoijuanfo was honoured as a role model through receiving Årets spillerforbilde (Role Model Player of the Year).[17] Omoijuanfo finished his first season at Molde with 17 goals in 35 matches in all competitions.
Red Star
On 3 July 2021, Red Star announced the transfer of Omoijuanfo to Belgrade and the signing of a three-year contract, which will become active on 1 January 2022. Omoijuanfo will join Red Star upon the expiration of its contract with Molde as a free agent, without compensation.[18]
Brøndby
After weeks of speculation, Omoijuanfo joined Danish Superliga club Brøndby on 30 August 2022, signing a contract until June 2025.[19] He made his debut on 4 September 2022, scoring Brøndby's first goal in a 2–0 win over Horsens.[20] Omoijuanfo impressed early in his Brøndby career, scoring three goals and providing one assist in his first five appearances.[21][22] In February 2023, he was appointed vice-captain, filling in for the injured Kevin Mensah after Andreas Maxsø's departure.[23][24] He finished the 2022–23 season with 13 goals in 25 appearances.[25]
Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Omoijuanfo was expected to continue his strong form, with several pundits predicting a battle for the top scorer title.[26][27] However, he struggled early in the season, and despite his efforts, could only score his first goal from a penalty shot in the sixth game against Vejle.[28][29] His role in the team became more limited due to tactical changes under new head coach Jesper Sørensen, and injuries further hindered his progress. He often appeared as a substitute, affecting his ability to maintain consistent form.[30][31][32] Omoijuanfo's fortunes briefly improved with a decisive 2–1 win over Viborg FF on 10 March 2024, scoring a stunning injury-time goal after a quick one-two with Noah Nartey.[33][34] He finished his second season with Brøndby with 10 goals in 34 appearances.[25]
Ahead of the 2024–25 season, Omoijuanfo found himself further relegated in Brøndby's hierarchy, receiving limited playing time under Sørensen.[35][36] Before being sold in January 2025, Omoijuanfo scored two goals in nine appearances for Brøndby in six months, of which only two were as a starter.[32][37]
Changchun Yatai
On 11 January 2025, Brøndby announced Omoijuanfo's transfer to Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai.[38][39]
International career
Omoijuanfo played a total of 46 games and scored 14 goals for Norway at international youth level.[40]
After a good run of form with Stabæk and scoring nine goals in the first ten games of the 2017 Eliteserien, on 30 May 2017 Omoijuanfo was named by manager Lars Lagerbäck in the Norway senior team squad to face Czech Republic and Sweden in international friendlies.[41] He made his international debut on 13 June 2017 at Ullevaal Stadion, replacing Alexander Søderlund in the second half against Sweden.[42]
Personal life
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lillestrøm | 2010 | Tippeligaen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1 | ||
| 2011 | Tippeligaen | 21 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 3 | |||
| 2012 | Tippeligaen | 17 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 20 | 2 | |||
| 2013 | Tippeligaen | 19 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 3 | |||
| 2014 | Tippeligaen | 24 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 29 | 3 | |||
| Total | 82 | 9 | 16 | 3 | — | — | 98 | 12 | ||||
| Jerv | 2015 | Norwegian First Division | 29 | 15 | 2 | 1 | — | 4[b] | 2 | 35 | 18 | |
| Stabæk | 2016 | Tippeligaen | 28 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2[c] | 0 | 2[b] | 2 | 36 | 9 |
| 2017 | Eliteserien | 27 | 17 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 31 | 19 | |||
| 2018 | Eliteserien | 30 | 8 | 2 | 2 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 34 | 10 | ||
| Total | 85 | 29 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 101 | 38 | ||
| Molde | 2019 | Eliteserien | 27 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 7[c] | 2 | — | 35 | 17 | |
| 2020 | Eliteserien | 27 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 11[d] | 4 | — | 38 | 16 | ||
| 2021 | Eliteserien | 29 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 3[e] | 1 | — | 32 | 28 | ||
| Total | 83 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 7 | — | 105 | 61 | |||
| Red Star Belgrade | 2021–22 | Serbian SuperLiga | 16 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2[c] | 0 | — | 22 | 11 | |
| 2022–23 | Serbian SuperLiga | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | ||
| Total | 18 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 24 | 12 | |||
| Brøndby | 2022–23 | Danish Superliga | 24 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 | 13 | |
| 2023–24 | Danish Superliga | 31 | 10 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 10 | |||
| 2024–25 | Danish Superliga | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[e] | 2 | — | 9 | 2 | ||
| Total | 59 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | 68 | 25 | |||
| Changchun Yatai | 2025 | Chinese Super League | 30 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 6 | ||
| 2026 | China League One | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 3 | |||
| Total | 40 | 9 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 41 | 9 | ||||
| Career total | 396 | 149 | 39 | 13 | 29 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 472 | 175 | ||
- Includes Norwegian Cup, Serbian Cup, Danish Cup
- Appearances in Eliteserien play-offs
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Five appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in UEFA Conference League
International
- As of match played 17 November 2022
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 2017 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 2 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Norway's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Omoijuanfo goal.[25]
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 November 2022 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland |  Republic of Ireland | 2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
Honours
Molde
Red Star Belgrade
Individual
- Eliteserien Player of the Month: June 2021[48]
- Eliteserien Top goalscorer: 2021