Michael Obafemi
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Michael Obafemi
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Michael Oluwadurotimi Obafemi{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697050 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |accessdate=11 July 2020}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|7|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Plymouth Argyle,
(on loan from Burnley)
| clubnumber = 14
| youthyears1 = 2009–2010
| youthclubs1 = Ryan{{cite web|url=http://www.ryanfc.net/news/former-ryan-fc-player-michael-obafemi-makes-premier-league-debut--162/|title=Former Ryan FC player Michael Obafemi makes Premier League debut|publisher=Ryan FC|date=26 January 2018|accessdate=7 February 2018}}
| youthyears2 = 2010–2012
| youthclubs2 = Chelsea
| youthyears3 = 2012–2014
| youthclubs3 = Arsenal
| youthyears4 = 2014–2015
| youthclubs4 = Watford
| youthyears5 = 2015–2016
| youthclubs5 = Leyton Orient
| youthyears6 = 2016–2018
| youthclubs6 = Southampton
| years1 = 2018–2021
| clubs1 = Southampton
| caps1 = 32
| goals1 = 4
| years2 = 2021–2023
| clubs2 = Swansea City
| caps2 = 51
| goals2 = 15
| years3 = 2023
| clubs3 = → Burnley (loan)
| caps3 = 12
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2023–
| clubs4 = Burnley
| caps4 = 2
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2024
| clubs5 = → Millwall (loan)
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2024–
| clubs6 = → Plymouth Argyle (loan)
| caps6 = 28
| goals6 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2019–2020
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2018–
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland
| nationalcaps3 = 12
| nationalgoals3 = 2
| club-update = 10:32, 16 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 21:40, 4 June 2024 (UTC)
}}
Michael Oluwadurotimi Obafemi (born 6 July 2000) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|PlymoutA}} club Plymouth Argyle on loan from {{English football updater|PlymoutA}} club Burnley and the Republic of Ireland national team.
Early life
Obafemi was born in Dublin to Nigerian parents. While he was still an infant, his family moved to England and he was raised in the London area.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/i-cant-stop-here-irish-youngster-makes-his-premier-league-debutand-now-he-wants-more-36514263.html|title='I can't stop here' - Irish youngster makes his Premier League debut...and now he wants more|work=Independent.ie|date=21 January 2018|accessdate=7 February 2018|author=Aidan Fitzmaurice}}{{cite web |last1=O'Hehir |first1=Paul |title=It was never a choice for Michael Obafemi - he only wanted to play for Ireland |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/sport/never-choice-michael-obafemi-only-16075461 |publisher=Dublin Live |access-date=30 September 2022 |date=4 April 2019}} His older brother Afolabi Obafemi is also a footballer.
Club career
Obafemi was released by Watford prior to his 14th birthday in 2014. He took a year out of the game before joining Leyton Orient in 2015, moving on to Southampton in 2016.{{cite news|first=Carl|last=Anka| title=Two London boys trying to make their mark on the south coast – meet Ramsay and Obafemi| url=https://theathletic.co.uk/1170568/2019/09/03/two-london-boys-trying-to-make-their-mark-on-the-south-coast-meet-ramsay-and-obafemi/|work=The Athletic|date = 2 September 2019|access-date=13 July 2020}}
=Southampton=
Obafemi made his professional debut for Southampton as a substitute in the 82nd minute of a 1–1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 21 January 2018.{{cite web | url=http://www.the42.ie/ireland-u19-youngster-makes-the-bench-for-southamptons-premier-league-clash-3809610-Jan2018/ | title=17-year-old Irish striker makes debut in Southampton's Premier League clash | publisher=Journal Media|work=The42 | accessdate=21 January 2018|author=Paul Fennessy}} Aged 17 years and 199 days, Obafemi became the second youngest player to make a Premier League appearance for Southampton after Luke Shaw, who was 17 years and 116 days old.{{cite web |first= Mike|last= Henson| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42679252 | title=Southampton 1–1 Tottenham | work=BBC Sport|date= 21 January 2018| accessdate=21 January 2018}}
He scored his first professional goal with the third goal in a 3–1 victory at Huddersfield on 22 December 2018; at 18 years and 169 days old, he became Southampton's youngest scorer in the Premier League.{{cite web |last1=Oscroft |first1=Tim |title=Huddersfield Town 1 Southampton 3 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46576164 |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=22 December 2018 |date=22 December 2018}}
=Swansea City=
On 31 August 2021, Obafemi joined Swansea City for a fee reported to be between £1.5 and £2 million, signing a three-year contract.{{cite news |title=Michael Obafemi: Swansea City sign Southampton and Republic of Ireland striker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58402433 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=1 September 2021 |date=31 August 2021}} On 23 October 2021, Obafemi scored his first goal for Swansea in their 2–1 defeat to Birmingham City.{{Cite web|last=Vincent|first=Gareth|date=23 October 2021|title=Birmingham City 2–1 Swansea City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58935824|access-date=24 October 2021|website=BBC Sport}}
On the summer deadline day for the 2022 transfer window, Swansea rejected a number of bids from Burnley for Obafemi with the striker subsequently being left out of the team with concerns from manager Russell Martin over the striker's attitude.{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/michael-obafemi-is-told-he-must-earn-right-to-get-back-into-swansea-team-41995276.html|title=Michael Obafemi is told he must earn right to get back into Swansea team|publisher=The Independent Ireland|last1=Fitzmaurice|first1=Aidan|date=16 September 2022|accessdate=6 January 2023}}
=Burnley=
On 29 January 2023, Obafemi joined Burnley on loan for the remainder of the season, with a clause to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Michael Obafemi leaves Swansea City to join Burnley on loan |url=https://www.swanseacity.com/news/michael-obafemi-leaves-swansea-city-join-burnley-loan |publisher=Swansea City AFC|access-date=29 January 2023 |date=29 January 2023}}{{cite web |title=Michael Obafemi: Burnley sign Republic of Ireland striker from Swansea City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64445191 |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 January 2023 |date=29 January 2023}}
On 1 July 2023, the transfer was made permanent.{{cite news |title=Michael Obafemi's permanent Burnley transfer has just been confirmed as Swansea City career officially over |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/michael-obafemis-permanent-burnley-transfer-26657374 |last=Mitchelmore |first=Ian |publisher=Media Wales |date=7 April 2023 |access-date=10 June 2023}}
==Millwall (loan)==
On 24 January 2024, Obafemi signed for Millwall on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news |title=Michael Obafemi: Millwall sign Burnley's Republic of Ireland striker on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68074083 |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2024}}
==Plymouth Argyle (loan)==
On 22 August 2024, Obafemi signed for Plymouth Argyle on a season long loan.{{cite news |title=Plymouth sign Burnley forward Obafemi on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2e5wxw0vqo |access-date=23 August 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2024}}
International career
Obafemi was eligible to represent England, Nigeria, and the Republic of Ireland.{{cite web |title=Michael Obafemi: Martin O'Neill won't rush Southampton player to make international decision |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46210415 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=16 November 2018 |date=14 November 2018}} In November 2018 he committed to the Republic of Ireland.{{cite web |title=Michael Obafemi: Southampton starlet commits to the Republic of Ireland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46226854 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=16 November 2018 |date=15 November 2018}}
Obafemi represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 level, debuting during the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification campaign.{{UEFA player|250115156}}
On 6 November 2018, Obafemi was named in the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time for the friendly against Northern Ireland on 15 November and the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark on 19 November 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/martin-oneill-on-michael-obafemi-4326098-Nov2018/ |title =18-year-old Southampton striker earns praise after first Ireland call-up|date=6 November 2018|work=The42|accessdate=7 November 2018|author=Paul Fennessy}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-squad-denmark-northern-ireland-4324713-Nov2018/ |title =Nigerian-eligible Southampton teenager among four new call-ups in Ireland squad|date=6 November 2018|work=The42|accessdate=7 November 2018|author=Ben Blake}} He came on as a substitute in the second half of the 0–0 draw against Denmark to make his debut.{{cite web |title=Denmark 0 Republic of Ireland 0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46256127 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=20 November 2018 |date=19 November 2018}} He also became the first player born in the 2000s to win a senior cap for Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/michael-obafemi-reaction-denmark-november-2018-4348604-Nov2018/ |title =Proud Obafemi 'never had any doubts' about representing Ireland|date=19 November 2018|work=The42|accessdate=20 November 2018|author=Paul Dollery}} Obafemi made his debut for the Republic of Ireland under-21 team on 10 October 2019, coming off the bench, in a 0–0 draw with Italy under-21s at Tallaght Stadium.{{cite web |title='Michael got the crowd on the edge of their seats, he was running 70 yards with the ball' |url=https://www.the42.ie/stephen-kenny-on-michael-obafemi-2-4846686-Oct2019/ |work=The 42 |accessdate=28 December 2019 |date=11 October 2019}}
On 11 June 2022, he made his first international start at senior level, in a UEFA Nations League match against Scotland, providing one assist (for Troy Parrott) and scoring his first goal, before a groin strain saw Obafemi substituted five minutes after scoring, being replaced by Scott Hogan.{{Cite web|url=
https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/jun/11/republic-of-ireland-v-scotland-nations-league-live-score-updates|title=Ireland 3-0 Scotland: minute-by-minute|last=Brewin|first=John|date=11 June 2022|website=www.guardian.co.uk|access-date=11 June 2022
}}{{cite web |last1=Gault |first1=Matt |title=Republic of Ireland 3 Scotland 0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61675617 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 June 2022 |date=11 June 2022}} His start in the 22 March 2023 home friendly 3–2 win by the Republic over Latvia, saw Obafemi provide the assist for Evan Ferguson’s first international goal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0322/1365672-ferguson-opens-account-as-ogbene-secures-ireland-win/|title=Chiedozie Ogbene secures hard-fought Ireland win against Latvia as Evan Ferguson opens his account|website=RTE Sport|last=Leahy|first=Ed|date=22 March 2023|access-date=23 March 2023|language=en}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 9 April 2025}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Southampton U21/U23
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|107792|2016|accessdate=11 February 2023}} |colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2017–18
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19
|colspan="3"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="6"|Southampton
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|100078|2017|accessdate=14 July 2020}} |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|100078|2018|accessdate=14 July 2020}}
|Premier League |6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|100078|2019|accessdate=13 July 2020}}
|Premier League |21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 4 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|100078|2020|accessdate= 22 May 2021}}
|Premier League |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|Premier League |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!32 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 39 | 5 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Swansea City
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|100078|2021|accessdate= 6 February 2022}} |32 | 12 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 12 | |||
| 2022–23
|Championship |19 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 3 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!51 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 52 | 15 | ||
| Burnley (loan)
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|100078|2022|accessdate=15 February 2023}} |Championship |12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | |||
| Burnley
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|100078|2023|accessdate=28 January 2024}} |Premier League |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| Millwall (loan)
|Championship |14 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | ||||
| Plymouth Argyle (loan)
|2024–25{{soccerbase season|100078|2024|accessdate=28 January 2024}} |Championship |28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 2 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!139 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 154 | 27 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 4 June 2024}}{{NFT player |id=72659|name=Obafemi, Michael |access-date=28 August 2019}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Republic of Ireland
|2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total||12||2 |
Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Michael Obafemi | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | 11 June 2022 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland | {{fb|SCO}} | align="center"|3–0 | align="center"| 3–0 | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B |
| align="center"|2 | 27 September 2022 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland | {{fb|ARM}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"| 3–2 | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerbase|100078}}
- [https://www.swanseacity.com/player/288 Michael Obafemi profile] at Swansea City AFC
{{Plymouth Argyle F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Obafemi, Michael}}
Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city)
Category:Footballers from London
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players
Category:Southampton F.C. players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Black Irish sportspeople
Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen
Category:Irish people of Nigerian descent
Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers