Australian club Wellington Phoenix FC has extended goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi’s contract, keeping him at the club until the conclusion of the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League season. The 23 year old, who spent 11 years at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Portsmouth in 2022, signed with Phoenix in September on a one year deal. His outstanding performances since then have earned him the starting position, contributing significantly to the team’s undefeated run this season.
Born in London, Oluwayemi is known for being called up to Nigeria’s senior national team in 2021 as a backup goalkeeper for a friendly against Mexico, despite previously representing England at youth level. His move to Wellington has brought him a new chapter and a fulfilling change from his earlier experiences in England and Finland. Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano praised the contract renewal, describing it as an essential step for the club given Oluwayemi’s remarkable impact. The player himself expressed his happiness, acknowledging that while he is pleased with his progress, he still sees room for improvement.
Editorial
Josh Oluwayemi’s journey underscores the resilience and adaptability needed to carve out a successful football career. Leaving behind the familiar grounds of English football to join Wellington Phoenix in Australia was a bold step that has paid off. His ability to secure the top goalkeeper spot within just a few months speaks to his dedication and skill, characteristics that were nurtured over years at Tottenham’s academy.
We view this contract extension not only as a testament to Oluwayemi’s talent but as an indication of the growing stature of the A League as a viable platform for players seeking competitive opportunities outside Europe’s traditional strongholds. Wellington Phoenix’s unbeaten streak, anchored by Oluwayemi’s solid performances, shows how the right environment can harness potential that might otherwise go unfulfilled.
Oluwayemi’s career, marked by early exposure at England’s youth levels and a call-up to Nigeria’s national team, is a story of balancing dual footballing identities. As he cements his role at Wellington Phoenix, he continues to build a path that could influence other players with similar backgrounds. We are confident that this move will not only benefit his club but could see Oluwayemi further develop into a key figure for Nigeria’s future international campaigns.
Did You Know?
- Josh Oluwayemi spent over a decade at Tottenham Hotspur, working his way through their youth academy.
- He made his first international appearance for Nigeria at 20, during a friendly against Mexico in 2021.
- Oluwayemi’s move to Wellington Phoenix marked his first professional experience in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The A League has become an increasingly attractive destination for European-trained players in recent years.
- Wellington Phoenix has a history of nurturing young talent and giving them the platform to thrive on an international scale.
