Gboly Ariyibi

Gboly Ariyibi
Personal information
Full nameOmogbolahan Gregory Ariyibi[1]
Date of birth18 January 1995
Place of birthWest Virginia, United States
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing positionWinger
Club information
Current team
Chesterfield
Number28
Youth career
2005–2013Southampton
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2013–2014Leeds United2(0)
2014→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)2(0)
2014–Chesterfield15(1)
National team‡
2014–United States U201(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2014

Omogbolahan Gregory "Gboly" Ariyibi (born 18 January 1995) is an American association football player who plays for Chesterfield as a winger. According to his agent he is two-footed and comfortable playing on either flank.[2]

Club career

Born in West Virginia in the USA, Ariyibi started his youth career at Southampton in 2005 after being spotted playing for Oxford youth side Quarry Rovers.[3] He came through the youth ranks with future first team regulars Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse.[4] Ariyibi progressed through to the Under 21's team. He was named as one of Southampton's home-grown Under 21 players for the 2012–13 season in the official squad list.[5]

After being released by Southampton, with Mauricio Pochettino deciding against offering Ariyibi a permanent contract,[6] Ariyibi joined several league clubs on trial including Bolton Wanderers.[7] He also joined UK Football Finder FC to help in enlisting a club.[8]

Leeds United

In 11 December 2013, Ariyibi signed for Leeds United until the end of the season after a short trial spell.[9][10] Upon signing for Leeds, manager Brian McDermott described Ariybi as an exciting player, very, very quick. He’s a great lad too.[11] He was given squad number 27 and on Boxing Day 2013 he was named as an unused substitute against Blackpool.[12][13]

On 29 December 2013, Ariybi made his Leeds debut coming on as a second half substitute against Nottingham Forest.[14] On 25 March 2014, Ariyibi joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until the end of the season.[15]

On 16 May 2014, Ariyibi was released by Leeds United.[16]

Chesterfield

On 29 August 2014, Ariyibi joined Football League One side Chesterfield on a 12-month contract after turning down a deal at Premier League club Burnley.[17][18]

International career

Ariyibi was born in the USA however is also eligible to play for Nigeria.[19] In 2013, Ariybi stated that he wanted to break into the USA youth setup.[20]

Career statistics

As of match played 15 May 2014.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United 2013–14[21] Championship 2000000020
Total 2000000020
Tranmere Rovers (loan) 2013–14[21] League One 20––0020
Career total 4000000040

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/12/2013 and 31/12/2013" (PDF). The Football League. January 2014. p. 1. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "FC client Gboly Ariyibi signs for Leeds United". Full Contact. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "Saints U18s 4-2 Man Utd U18s: Report". Southampton FC Official Site. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "£4m-rated Shaw on show at Sholing?". Daily Echo. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Premier League roll call 2012-2013: Every top flight player from the official squad lists". Daily Mail. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "2012/13 Released List". Southampton FC Official Site. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  7. ↑ "Leeds United sign ex-Saints trainee Ariyibi". Yorkshire Evening Post. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "UKFF's Ariyibi Signs Pro Contract With Leeds Utd". UK Football Finder Football Club. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  9. ↑ "Leeds United: Gboly Ariyibi signs short-term contract". BBC Sport. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  10. ↑ "Leeds sign Gboly Ariyibi on a short-term deal". Sky Sports. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  11. ↑ "New Leeds short-term signing in training today". Yorkshire Evening Post. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  12. ↑ "Lee Peltier goal seals away point for United...". Leeds United A.F.C. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  13. ↑ "Brian McDermott on Alex Mowatt and Gboly Ariyibi". Leeds United A.F.C. 28 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  14. ↑ "LATE GOAL STUNS UNITED: United hit by Derbyshire stunner...". Leeds United Official Website. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  15. ↑ "Leeds United: Gboly Ariyibi joins Tranmere Rovers on loan". BBC Sport. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  16. ↑ "SEVEN RELEASED BY UNITED". Leeds United AFC. 16 May 2014.
  17. ↑ Gboly Ariyibi: Ex-Leeds winger joins Chesterfield
  18. ↑ Winger Joins Spireites
  19. ↑ "Ex-Quarry youngster making his mark at Leeds". Oxford Mail. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  20. ↑ "95 Yank looking for success in England". O When The Yanks. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Games played by Gboly Ariyibi in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 January 2014.

External links