The Wellington Phoenix have signed goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi from Finnish club FC Lahti as their replacement for the departed Alex Paulsen.
Pending approval of his work visa, Oluwayemi, (23) will become the 19th player signed by the Phoenix for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Oluwayemi came through the youth system at London club Tottenham Hotspur and played for their U-18 and U-23 sides before leaving the Premier League club in 2022 in search of first-team football.
He had a short spell with Portsmouth, and in 2023, played 24 games on loan to National League South club Chelmsford City, before suffering a thumb injury. He was replaced by New Zealand U-20 goalkeeper Henry Gray, on loan from Ipswich Town.
READ MORE: Rising New Zealand ‘keeper goes out on loan to English club Chelmsford City >>>>
Oluwayemi represented England at U-15 level and was called up to Nigeria’s national team as a 20-year-old in 2021.
Main photo: Josh Oluwayemi … ‘chuffed’ to join the Phoenix.
Oluwayemi joins New Zealand age group international Alby Kelly-Heald in the Phoenix squad, after the departure of All White Alex Paulsen who transferred to English club Bournemouth who have since loaned him to A-League newcomers Auckland FC.
READ MORE: Auckland FC sign former Wellington Phoenix ‘keeper Alex Paulsen on loan >>>>
Last season’s second string ‘keeper, Jack Duncan, has also left to join Melbourne Victory.
READ MORE: Phoenix goalkeeper Jack Duncan signs for A-League rivals Melbourne Victory >>>>
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano said: “Josh has a fantastic presence. He’s got a good command of his box, communicates well and is very good with his feet.
“Being able to play out from the back was a big factor when we looked at goalkeepers. Stylistically, I’m not going to change as a coach and it’s very important we keep building on what we did last season.
“I think Josh will add to the way we want to play. His presence in the box is going to be very valuable.”
Phoenix goalkeeper coach Ruben Parker is looking forward to working with Oluwayemi.
“I had a look at his recent games and footage of him before he went to Finland, and I liked him straight away,” Parker said.
“First and foremost, I look at can they dominate the 18-yard box and make saves in key moments, and he ticks those boxes.
“As soon as those were ticked off and I saw the ability he had with his feet, it was a no-brainer to try and sign him.
“We’ve spoken quite a bit already and we’re both excited to get to work.
“Josh is still only 23 so he’s really ambitious and really hungry and wants to progress his career, and I’m looking forward to helping him do that.”
Josh Oluwayemi was “buzzing” when he heard the Phoenix were interested in him.
“Ruben (Parker) sent me clips of the way the Phoenix played last season, and it was very, very exciting,” Oluwayemi said.
“It seemed like all of the players were in tune with how they play.
“Seeing their game style and the quality is what really compelled me to come over to play on the other side of the world.
“The A-League is a brilliant league and Wellington’s a brilliant team that did very well last season.
“I’m chuffed to be joining a bunch of lads that have quality and a team that have done so well.”
He describes himself as an agile and “very explosive” goalkeeper who refined his ability to play out from the back while he was at FC Lahti.
“Before the move to Finland, I had other options within the UK., but I wanted to challenge myself and show another side of my football that I think I possess.
“I want to continue to show other people and myself the level I can get to whilst playing that style in terms of playing out from the back, that sweeper ‘keeper role.
“In terms of my impact on the team, I’d hope to have a very strong impact; be a livewire for my teammates and improve upon last season.
“I’m excited to get to work, play my heart out for the fans, and show what I’m about.”
This story was first published on August 15, 2024.
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