Isaac Olaofe

Raised in Dartford, Olaofe played county football for Kent.{{cite web |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/millwall-striker-isaac-olaofe-on-sutton-united-title-win-and-his-plan-to-capture-all-of-the-celebrations/ |title=Millwall striker Isaac Olaofe on Sutton United title win and his plan to capture all of the celebrations |website=South London Press |author=Richard Cawley |date=28 May 2021 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} He had trials with Crystal Palace and Millwall. He signed for Millwall after impressing in his six-week trial, joining at the age of 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/teams/under-23s/forwards/isaac-olaofe/|title=Isaac Olaofe|website=www.millwallfc.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605054829/https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/teams/under-23s/forwards/isaac-olaofe/ |archive-date=5 June 2022 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2022/december/30/isaac-olaofe-departs-millwall/ |title=Isaac Olaofe departs Millwall |website=www.millwallfc.co.uk |date=30 December 2022 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} He signed his first professional contract in May 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2018/may/millwall-announce-retained-list/ |title=Millwall announce retained list |website=www.millwallfc.co.uk |date=17 May 2018 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} He extended his contract in May 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/millwall-announce-retained-list/ |title=Millwall announce retained list |website=www.millwallfc.co.uk |date=16 May 2019 |access-date=27 February 2025 }}

He moved on loan to Sutton United in February 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/isaac-olaofe-joins-sutton-united-on-loan/|title=Isaac Olaofe joins Sutton United on loan|website=www.millwallfc.co.uk}} He made his debut on 22 February in a 2–2 home draw with Barrow, and scored his first goal in his final game for the club, a 1–1 draw with Hartlepool United on 14 March. He scored 1 goal in 5 league games for the club, although the season was ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.suttonunited.net/player/isaac-olaofe/|title=Isaac Olaofe}}{{cite web |url=https://www.suttonunited.net/from-the-boardroom-7/ |title=From The Boardroom – 7 |website=Sutton United F.C.|date=7 May 2020 |access-date=3 March 2025 }}

After extending his contract with Millwall in June 2020,{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/millwall-football-club-retain-list-1920/ |title=Millwall Football Club Retained List 2019/20 |website=www.millwallfc.co.uk |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} he moved on loan to Scottish club St Johnstone in July.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53410734|title=St Johnstone: Millwall's Isaac Olaofe and Danny McNamara sign on loan|work=BBC Sport|date=14 July 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/1444397/st-johnstone-complete-loan-signing-double-from-millwall/|title=St Johnstone complete loan signing double from Millwall|first=Eric|last=Nicolson|date=14 July 2020 }} He said he was looking forward to working with St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson, who had previously been the assistant manager at Millwall.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/1464191/st-johnstone-isaac-tanto-olaofe-callum-davidson/|title=St Johnstone new boy Isaac 'Tanto' Olaofe opens up on furthering his football education in Scotland and working with Callum Davidson again|first=Gordon|last=Bannerman|date=24 July 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/isaac-olaofe-ready-learn-millwall-22404742|title=Isaac Olaofe ready to learn as Millwall loanee looks to shine for St Johnstone|first=Matthew|last=Gallagher|date=23 July 2020|website=Daily Record}} He made his debut for the club in a 0–3 defeat away at Rangers on 12 August. On 5 October, Olaofe's loan was terminated by mutual consent, having only made two substitute appearances for the club, 41 minutes in total.{{cite web|url=https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/post/olaofe-returns-lions|title=Olaofe returns to Lions|website=www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk|date=5 October 2020|accessdate=5 October 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/4821933/isaac-tanto-olaofe-st-johnstone-stockport/ |title=Striker who lasted just 2 months at St Johnstone now key man at record-breaking EFL side |website=The Courier |author=Eric Nicolson |date=24 November 2023 |access-date=28 February 2025 }} St Johnstone captain Liam Gordon later said of him, "Maybe we didn’t get the best out of Tanto but I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s a great lad – a proper, genuine boy who gave everything. It’s just wasn’t the right place at the right time."

Later that month he returned to Sutton United on loan, initially until January 2021.{{cite web |url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/millwall-boss-on-future-of-national-league-striker-and-it-could-be-extra-incentive-for-sutton-united/ |title=Millwall boss on future of National League striker – and it could be extra incentive for Sutton United |website=Southwark News |date=9 April 2021 |access-date=2 March 2025 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.suttonunited.net/isaac-oloafe-returns-ahead-of-weymouth-trip/|title=Isaac Oloafe returns ahead of Weymouth trip|date=9 October 2020}} On 10 October, he made his debut in a 1–0 win over Weymouth. He scored his first goals back at the club with a hat-trick in a 5–1 defeat of King's Lynn Town on 14 November 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54850651|title=Sutton United 5–1 King's Lynn Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 November 2020|accessdate=21 November 2020}} His loan was extended to the end of the season in January 2021, after scoring 5 goals in 14 games for Sutton.{{cite web |url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/promising-millwall-centre-forward-has-loan-deal-extended-until-the-end-of-the-season/ |title=Promising Millwall centre-forward has loan deal extended until the end of the season |website=Southwark News |date=11 January 2021 |access-date=2 March 2025 }} At the end of the season, Sutton were crowned champions and promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125216|title=Sutton United 3–0 Hartlepool United: Us win National League title|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 May 2021}} Olaofe was Sutton's top scorer for the season with 16 goals in all competitions, and won the Young Player of the Year award.{{cite tweet|number=1398886552965681154|user=suttonunited|title=Our end of season awards took place at GGL last night. 🏆 Club player of the year - Craig Eastmond 🏆 Players play… |date=30 May 2021}}

In June 2021, Olaofe signed a new contract with Millwall.{{cite web|url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2021/june2/millwall-youngsters-extend-stay-at-the-den/|title=Millwall academy graduates extend Lions stay|website=www.millwallfc.co.uk|date=17 June 2021|accessdate=2 July 2021}} He returned to Sutton United on loan for the rest of the season on 31 August 2021.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58402761|title=Sutton re-sign Millwall striker Olaofe|work=BBC Sport }} After sustaining a hip flexor injury in pre-season, he made his Football League debut on 25 September in a 4–0 win over Carlisle United.{{cite web |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/isaac-olaofe-i-know-ill-get-a-chance-to-impress-at-millwall/ |title=Isaac Olaofe: I know I’ll get a chance to impress at Millwall |website=South London Press |author=Richard Cawley |date=3 September 2021 |access-date=2 March 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/millwall-loan-watch-forward-makes-football-league-debut-as-sutton-united-continue-good-start/ |title=Millwall loan watch: Forward makes Football League debut as Sutton United continue good start |website=Southwark News |date=27 September 2021 |access-date=28 February 2025 }} He scored his first goal in his second loan spell in a 2–0 victory over Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy on 12 October.{{cite web |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/loan-watch-millwall-striker-is-back-on-the-goal-trail-as-centre-back-has-to-settle-for-substitute-role/ |title=Loan watch: Millwall striker is back on the goal trail as centre-back has to settle for substitute role |website=South London Press |author=Richard Cawley |date=14 October 2021 |access-date=2 March 2025 }} His first league goal came on 16 October, scoring the winner in a 1–0 win over Crawley Town.{{cite web |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/loan-watch-lions-striker-grateful-for-patience-as-he-nets-late-winner-for-sutton-united/ |title=Loan watch: Lions striker grateful for patience as he nets late winner for Sutton United |website=South London Press |author=Kai Bennett |date=18 October 2021 |access-date=2 March 2025 }} He made a substitute appearance in the 2022 EFL Trophy final against Rotherham United on 3 April 2022, which ended in a 4–2 defeat.{{cite web |url=https://www.suttonunited.net/match-report-for-rotherham-united-4-sutton-united-2/ |title=Match report for Rotherham United 4 Sutton United 2 |website=Sutton United F.C.|date=3 April 2022 |access-date=2 March 2025 }} He ended the season with 9 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions. In total, he made 80 appearances and scored 26 times across his three loans for Sutton.{{cite web |url=https://www.suttonunited.net/black-history-month-player-memories-part-2/ |title=Black History Month – player memories part 2 |website=Sutton United F.C.|date=29 October 2023 |access-date=2 March 2025 }}

In the summer of 2022, Olaofe was set to join League One club Barnsley on loan. However, Barnsley were unable to complete the paperwork in time, and the move fell through.{{cite web |url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/isaac-olaofe-opens-up-on-failed-summer-loan-move-to-barnsley-exit-from-millwall-and-signing-for-stockport-county/ |title=Isaac Olaofe opens up on failed summer loan move to Barnsley, exit from Millwall and signing for Stockport County |website=South London Press |author=Richard Cawley |date=6 January 2023 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} He signed a new contract on 5 September 2022, stating he would remain at Millwall for the "foreseeable future".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62795457 |title=Isaac Olaofe: Millwall striker signs new contract for 'foreseeable future' |website=BBC Sport |date=5 September 2022 |access-date=27 February 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2022/september/05/millwall-s-isaac-olaofe-signs-new-contract/ |title=Millwall's Isaac Olaofe signs new contract |website=www.millwallfc.co.uk |date=5 September 2022 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} He made his competitive debut for Millwall on 2 August in a 1–0 defeat against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/02/report---cambridge-united-v-millwall/ |title=Millwall exit Carabao Cup at Cambridge United |website=Millwall F.C. |date=2 August 2022 |access-date=2 March 2025 }}{{cite web |url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/gary-rowett-praises-millwall-striker-on-debut/ |title=Gary Rowett praises Millwall striker on debut |website=Southwark News |author=Alex Jones |date=3 August 2022 |access-date=2 March 2025 }} He made his Championship debut on 13 August in a 3–2 win over Coventry City.{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/13/report---millwall-v-coventry-city/ |title=Millwall beat Coventry City in comeback win |website=Millwall F.C. |date=13 August 2022 |access-date=2 March 2025 }} By December, Olaofe had only made two Championship appearances for Millwall and, with competition from Tom Bradshaw and Benik Afobe, manager Gary Rowett said Olaofe was free to leave in January 2023.{{cite web |url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/isaac-olaofe-given-exit-option-as-millwall-accept-offers/ |title=Isaac Olaofe given exit option as Millwall accept offers |website=Southwark News |author=Alex Jones |date=27 December 2022 |access-date=2 March 2025 }}

On 30 December 2022, it was announced that Olaofe would join Stockport County once the transfer window opened on 1 January 2023, for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite news |date=30 December 2022 |title=Stockport County sign Millwall striker Olaofe |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64129821 |access-date=30 December 2022}} He made his debut on 8 January in an FA Cup match against Walsall, which Stockport lost 2–1.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64203565 |title=Stockport County 1-2 Walsall: Saddlers set up FA Cup fourth round tie against Leicester City |website=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2023 |access-date=3 March 2025 }} His league debut came on 14 January in a 2–0 win over Northampton Town.{{cite web |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/match-report-county-2-0-northampton-town/ |title=Match Report: County 2-0 Northampton Town |website=Stockport County |date=14 January 2023 |access-date=3 March 2025 }} On 11 February, he scored his first goal in a 3–1 win over Harrogate Town.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64520846 |title=Harrogate Town 1-3 Stockport County |website=BBC Sport |date=11 February 2023 |access-date=3 March 2025 }} At the end of the season, Olaofe started the play-off final on 28 May against Carlisle United, but lost 5–4 on penalties.{{cite web |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/league-two-play-off-final-match-report-county-1-1-carlisle-united-carlisle-win-5-4-on-penalties/ |title=League Two Play-Off Final Match Report: County 1-1 Carlisle United (Carlisle win 5-4 on penalties) |website=Stockport County |access-date=3 March 2025 }} He finished his debut season with Stockport with 3 goals in 22 appearances.

Olaofe started the season opener, a 1–0 defeat to Gillingham on 5 August 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/match-report-county-0-1-gillingham/ |title=Match Report: County 0-1 Gillingham |website=Stockport County |date=5 August 2023 |access-date=3 March 2025 }} His first goal of the season came on 15 August, in a 1–1 draw against Bradford City. On 23 September 2023, he scored his first Football League hat-trick in a 5–0 win over Wrexham.{{cite web |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/match-report-county-5-0-wrexham-afc/ |title=Match Report: County 5-0 Wrexham AFC |website=Stockport County |date=23 September 2023 |access-date=3 March 2025 }} This also made him the first Stockport player to score a hat-trick in the Football League since Carl Baker in 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2023/september/23/sky-bet-league-two--post-match-stat-pack/ |title=Sky Bet League Two: Post-match stat pack |website=EFL |date=23 September 2023 |access-date=3 March 2025 }} At the end of the season, Stockport were announced as League Two champions.{{cite web |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/our-title-winning-season-in-numbers/ |title=Our title-winning season in numbers… |website=Stockport County |access-date=3 March 2025 }} Olaofe was Stockport's top scorer with 20 goals in 43 games, which also made him the first Stockport player since Luke Beckett in the 2002–03 season to score 20 goals in a Football League campaign.

Olaofe extended his contract by three years in June 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crgg2x7jd0ko |title=Olaofe signs three-year Stockport deal |website=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2024 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} After going through a minor surgery, he scored in his first appearance of the season on 17 August in a 3–0 win over Blackpool.{{cite web |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/match-report-blackpool-0-3-county/ |title=Match Report: Blackpool 0-3 County |website=Stockport County |date=17 August 2024 |access-date=5 March 2025 }}

Olaofe attended Wilmington Grammar School. While at Millwall, Olaofe was also studying for a Business Management degree at the Open University.{{cite web |url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/in-depth/isaac-olaofe-interview-studying-for-a-degree-inspiring-others-and-making-history-with-sutton/ |title=Isaac Olaofe interview: Studying for a degree, inspiring others and making history with Sutton |website=Southwark News |author=John Kelly |date=22 October 2021 |access-date=27 February 2025 }} His nickname "Tanto" is an abbreviated form of his middle name.{{cite web |url=https://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/news/article/tanto-excited-about-huge-opportunity |title=Tanto excited about "huge opportunity" |website=St Johnstone |date=14 July 2020 |access-date=3 March 2025 }}

{{updated|match played 21 April 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Sutton United

• National League: 2020–21{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125216|title=Sutton win National League to reach EFL|first=Owen|last=Phillips|date=23 May 2021|accessdate=2 July 2021|website=BBC Sport}}
• EFL Trophy runner-up: 2021–22{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60973705 |title=Rotherham beat Sutton after extra time to win EFL Trophy |author=Chris Peddy |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2022 |access-date=6 February 2023}}

Stockport County

• EFL League Two: 2023–24{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/join-us-in-league-one-next-season/|title=Join us in League One next season|date=7 May 2024|website=Stockport County}}

Individual

• Sutton United Young Player of the Season: 2020–21

{{reflist}}

{{Stockport County F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Olaofe, Isaac}}

Category:1999 births

Category:Living people

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Millwall F.C. players

Category:Sutton United F.C. players

Category:St Johnstone F.C. players

Category:Stockport County F.C. players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:English Football League players

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Lewisham

Category:21st-century English sportsmen