Joshua Oluwaferanmi Oluwayemi, a former Tottenham Hotspur prospect and once invited to Nigeria’s U-23 national team, has signed with Australian A-League club Wellington Phoenix.
The England-born Nigerian goalkeeper began his journey at Tottenham Hotspur, gaining experience through loan spells at Portsmouth and Maidenhead United. After leaving Spurs last year, Oluwayemi joined Finnish club FC Lahti. Now, after six months in Finland, the 1.85m tall shot-stopper has made the move to Wellington Phoenix on a one-year contract.
Wellington Phoenix’s head coach, Giancarlo Italiano, expressed his excitement about adding Oluwayemi to the squad in an official statement on the club’s website.
“Josh brings a fantastic presence to our team. He commands his area well, communicates effectively, and is exceptional with his feet,” Italiano shared. “Being able to play out from the back was crucial in our search for a goalkeeper. My coaching philosophy remains unchanged, and it’s vital that we continue building on the foundations laid last season. I believe Josh will enhance our style of play, and his presence in the box will be invaluable,” the 41-year-old coach added.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper also expressed his enthusiasm about joining The Nix and is eager to make an impact when the season begins.
“Ruben (Parker) sent me some clips of how Phoenix played last season, and it was incredibly exciting. It seemed like every player was fully in sync with the team’s style. Seeing their game plan and quality motivated me to come and play on the other side of the world. The A-League is a fantastic competition, and Wellington had a great season last year. I’m thrilled to join a team with such quality and success,” the former Spurs goalkeeper remarked.
Oluwayemi had opportunities to remain in Europe but shared his reasons for choosing a different path.
“Before moving to Finland, I had options in the U.K., but I wanted to challenge myself and showcase another dimension of my game. I aim to continue proving my abilities, particularly in playing out from the back as a sweeper-keeper. I hope to make a significant impact, energize my teammates, and build on last season’s success. I’m eager to get started, give my all for the fans, and demonstrate what I’m capable of,” Oluwayemi concluded.
Oluwayemi was also part of the home-based Super Eagles squad that faced Mexico in a friendly three years ago, alongside John Noble and Stanley Nwabali. The match ended in a 4-0 victory for Mexico.
