Olutoyosi "Toyosi" Tajudeen Oludamilola Olusanya (born 14 October 1997) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Scottish Premiership club St Mirren.

Toyosi Olusanya
Olusanya playing for Walton Casuals in December 2017
Personal information
Full name Olutoyosi Tajudeen Oludamilola Olusanya[1]
Date of birth (1997-10-14) 14 October 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Lambeth, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
St Mirren
Number 20
Youth career
2008–2011 Mass
2011–2012 Palace Guard
2012–2015 10 Coaching
2015–2016 AFC Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 AFC Wimbledon 1 (1)
2016Kingstonian (loan) 4 (0)
2017–2018 Walton Casuals 6 (1)
2018 Fleet Town 8 (2)
2018–2019 Gosport Borough 8 (0)
2019–2020 Cheshunt 9 (0)
2020–2021 Billericay Town 7 (1)
2021–2022 Middlesbrough 3 (0)
2022– St Mirren 44 (10)
2023Arbroath (loan) 9 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:51, 5 October 2024

He started his professional career at AFC Wimbledon and scored on his debut. After a loan spell at Kingstonian in late 2016, Olusanya trialled with Chelsea, Reading, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cheltenham Town before joining Walton Casuals. He joined Fleet Town in February 2018 before a move to Gosport Borough a month later.

Club career

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Youth

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Olusanya started his youth career with Mass between the ages of 11 and 14, before a year-long spell at Palace Guard. He later joined 10 Coaching as part of a college scheme, and was spotted by AFC Wimbledon while looking at a teammate.[2]

AFC Wimbledon

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In 2015, Olusanya joined AFC Wimbledon.[2] He was a key member of the club's 2015–16 FA Youth Cup run that saw them reach the fifth Round.

Having featured in a 4–0 victory over Woking in the first round, he netted both goals in the club's 2–0 victory over Ebbsfleet United in the second round. Olusanya also played against Watford, Newcastle United and Chelsea in the ensuing rounds.[3] He was rewarded with a professional deal in February 2016.[2]

On 7 May 2016, he made his Football League debut as a 73rd minute substitute against Newport County. Olusanya scored his first goal for the club seven minutes later, being bought down in the box before converting the penalty. With the game ending 1-0, Olusanya managed to secure the win for the Dons [4]

Kingstonian (loan)

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In November 2016, he joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Kingstonian on a one-month loan.[5] He made his debut in a 1–1 FA Trophy draw with Tonbridge Angels on 12 November, and marked his league debut a week later.[6] He made seven appearances for the club, the majority coming from the bench, before his return to AFC Wimbledon in December.[5]

Trials

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In April 2017, Olusanya joined Premier League side Chelsea on trial, having impressed in their previous FA Youth Cup meeting. Reports suggested Manchester City also took an interest in the forward after his cup performances.[7]

In July 2017, Olusanya was listed as a member of the Reading Under-23 squad.[8] A month later he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on trial.[9] In October 2017, he joined Cheltenham Town on trial.[10]

Walton Casuals

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On 2 December 2017, he joined Isthmian League South Division club Walton Casuals with the club out of striking options due to injuries.[11] He made his debut in the same day in a league fixture at South Park.[12] On 5 December, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 victory against Sittingbourne.[13] He made a further five appearances for the club before falling out of favour.[14]

Fleet Town

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In February 2018, Olusanya joined Southern League Division One East club Fleet Town. On 3 February, he made his debut in a 3–2 defeat at Uxbridge.[15] Olusanya scored his first goal for the club in an 8–1 North Hants Cup win against Tadley Calleva Reserves on 20 February.[16] Two weeks later, he scored his first league goal in defeat to Ashford Town and was named Man of the Match.[17] Olusanya also scored on his final appearance for the club in a 4–2 victory against Thame United on 17 March.[18]

Gosport Borough

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On 23 March 2018, Olusanya joined Southern League Premier Division club Gosport Borough.[19] He made his début for Gosport as a second-half substitute in a 5–1 defeat at Hereford the following day.[20]

Billericay Town FC

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Prior to joining Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee, Olusanya had an amazing pre season with National league side Billericay Town, where he managed to score 8 goals in 3 games. He scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Canvey Island, followed by a second hat-trick in a 5-0 win against Needham Market.

Middlesbrough

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Olusanya joined Championship club Middlesbrough in August 2021.[21] On 25 August 2021, he made his debut in the 1–1 draw against Blackburn Rovers at the Riverside Stadium, coming on from the bench after 67 minutes. He featured regularly for the Under 23s before being out of action for four months due to a broken metatarsal.[22]

St Mirren

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On 17 June 2022, Olusanya joined Scottish Premiership club St Mirren on a two-year deal.[23]

On 25 January 2023, he joined Scottish Championship club Arbroath on loan until the end of the season. On 1 March 2024, it was confirmed that Olusanya had signed a one-year extension on his contract.[24][25]

Career statistics

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As of match played 5 October 2024
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
AFC Wimbledon 2015–16[26] League Two 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
2016–17[26] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Kingstonian (loan) 2016–17[27] Isthmian League Premier Division 4 0 0 0 3[c] 0 7 0
Walton Casuals 2017–18[28] Isthmian League South Division 6 1 0 0 6 1
Fleet Town 2017–18[29] Southern League Division One East 8 2 0 0 1[d] 1 9 3
Gosport Borough 2017–18[29] Southern League Premier Division 8 0 0 0 8 0
Billericay Town 2020–21[29] National League South 7 1 0 0 1[c] 0 8 1
Middlesbrough 2021–22[29] Championship 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
St Mirren 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 1 0 0 0 4 0 5 0
2023–24 Scottish Premiership 35 6 1 0 6 1 42 7
2024–25 Scottish Premiership 8 4 0 0 1 0 4[e] 2 13 6
Total 44 10 1 0 11 1 4 2 0 0 60 13
Arbroath (loan) 2022–23 Scottish Championship 9 1 9 1
Career total 90 16 1 0 11 1 4 2 5 1 111 20
  1. ^ Includes Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in FA Trophy
  4. ^ Appearance in North Hants Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League

References

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  1. ^ "EFL squad list 2021/22 & U21 registered contracted players" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c AFC Wimbledon TV (6 February 2016), Rapid rise earns AFC Wimbledon pro deal for Toyosi, retrieved 10 May 2016
  3. ^ Slavin, Chris. "Toyosi nets debut winner". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  4. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Newport County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Toyosi Olusanya - First Team - Kingstonian FC". www.kingstonian.com. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Kingstonian 1 vs. 1 Tonbridge Angels - 12 November 2016 - First Team - Kingstonian FC". www.kingstonian.com. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  7. ^ Cross, John (25 April 2017). "Chelsea given permission to take AFC Wimbledon winger Toyosi Olusanya on trial". mirror. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Toyosi Olusanya - Forward - Under-23s - Reading FC". www.readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  9. ^ @AndrewDHipkins (8 August 2017). "Former @AFCWimbledon Winger/Forward Toyosi Olusanya who's been on trial with Wolves U23s for a few weeks is again i…" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 December 2017 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ @JonPalmerSport (10 October 2017). "Trialist Toyosi Olusanya leaves the field at half-time #ctfc" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 December 2017 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Stags sign Toyosi Olusanya - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  12. ^ "South Park vs Walton Casuals - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  13. ^ "Walton Casuals 3-0 Sittingbourne - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Toyosi Olusanya - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Uxbridge 3 Fleet Town 2 - Fleet Town FC". Fleet Town FC. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Fleet Town Progress in North Hants Cup - Fleet Town FC". Fleet Town FC. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Fleet Town 1 Ashford Town (Mx) 2 - Fleet Town FC". Fleet Town FC. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Fleet Town 4 Thame United 2 - Fleet Town FC". Fleet Town FC. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  19. ^ "The Boro' sign Toyosi Olusanya - News - Gosport Borough Football Club". www.gosportboroughfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  20. ^ Gosport Borough FC on Twitter: "Gosport sub: Wright off, Olusanya on. (63 mins)"
  21. ^ "Boro Sign Toyosi Olusanya | Middlesbrough FC". www.mfc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  22. ^ "28/08/2021 15:00 v Blackburn Rovers | Official Website of the Boro- Middlesbrough FC latest news, photos and videos". www.mfc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Toyosi Olusanya joins St Mirren". St Mirren. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  24. ^ "TOYOSI OLUSANYA AGREES ONE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION". St Mirren. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Olusanya signs new St Mirren deal". BBC. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  26. ^ a b "T. Olusanya". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  27. ^ "Toyosi Olusanya". Kingstonian Official Site. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  28. ^ "Toyosi Olusanya". Walton Casuals FC. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  29. ^ a b c d "Fleet Town FC Club News Archives - Fleet Town Football Club". Fleet Town FC. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
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