James Olayinka

Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka (born 5 October 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford.

James Olayinka

Personal information
Full name	Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka[1]
Date of birth	(2000-10-05) 5 October 2000 (age 24)[2]
Place of birth	Lambeth, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Waterford
Youth career
0000–2019	Arsenal
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2022	Arsenal	0	(0)
2020	→ Northampton Town (loan)	1	(0)
2020–2021	→ Southend United (loan)	20	(2)
2022–2024	Cheltenham Town	38	(1)
2025–	Waterford	3	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12:37, 29 March 2025 (UTC)

Career

Arsenal

Olayinka began his career with Arsenal.^[3] He signed his first professional contract with the club in January 2019.^[4]

On 29 August 2020, Olayinka was named an unused substitute in the 2020 FA Community Shield, with Arsenal clinching a 5–4 victory over Liverpool in the penalty shootout after the match finished 1–1 after 90 minutes.^[5]

Loan to Northampton Town

In January 2020, Olayinka moved on loan to League Two side Northampton Town until the end of the season,^[6][7] making his debut in a 3–0 win over Scunthorpe United on 28 January.^[8] He helped Northampton Town to secure promotion to League One by winning the play-off final.^[9]

Loan to Southend United

In October 2020 he joined Southend United on loan until January 2021.^[10] He scored his first goal for the club, and his first professional goal, in an FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood on 7 November 2020.^[11] On 1 February 2021, Olayinka extended his loan with Southend United to the end of the 2020–21 season.^[12]

Cheltenham Town

He signed a two-year contract with Cheltenham Town on 1 September 2022.^[13] On 2 January 2024, manager Darrell Clarke announced that Olayinka had been made available for transfer.^[14] He was released by the club at the end of the 2023–24 season.^[15]

Waterford

On 14 November 2024, it was announced that Olayinka would be joining League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford ahead of their 2025 season.^[16]

Personal life

Olayinka is of Nigerian descent.^[17]

Career statistics

As of match played 28 March 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Arsenal U21	2018–19 EFL Trophy[18]		—		—		—		4[a]	0	4	0
	2019–20 EFL Trophy[19]		—		—		—		2[a]	1	2	1
	2020–21 EFL Trophy[20]		—		—		—		2[a]	0	2	0
	2021–22 EFL Trophy[21]		—		—		—		3[a]	2	3	2
	2022–23 EFL Trophy[22]		—		—		—		1[a]	0	1	0
	Total		—		—		—		12	3	12	3
Arsenal	2019–20[19]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2020–21[20]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2021–22[21]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Northampton Town (loan)	2019–20[19]	League Two	1	0	0	0	0	0	3[b]	0	4	0
Southend United (loan)	2020–21[20]	League Two	20	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	21	3
Cheltenham Town	2022–23[22]	League One	27	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	28	1
	2023–24[23]	League One	11	0	0	0	1	0	3[a]	0	15	0
	Total		38	1	1	0	1	0	3	0	43	1
Waterford	2025[24]	LOI Premier Division	3	0	0	0	–		0	0	3	0
Career total			62	3	2	1	1	0	18	3	83	7

1. Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
2. Appearances in the League Two play-offs.

Honours

Northampton Town

• EFL League Two play-offs: 2020^[25]

Arsenal

• FA Community Shield: 2020^[26]