Michael Olakigbe
{{Short description|English footballer (born 2004)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Michael Olakigbe
| full_name = Michael Oluwakorede Olakigbe{{Cite web |title=2022/23 Premier League squad lists |url=http://www.premierleague.com/news/2786707 |access-date=14 September 2022 |website=www.premierleague.com |language=en}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2004|4|6}}{{Cite web |title=Michael Olakigbe |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/teams/profile/michael-olakigbe |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}
| birth_place = Lambeth, England{{Cite web |title=Brentford – 2023/2024 |url=https://footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2023-2024/engprem/brentf.htm |access-date=12 December 2023 |website=FootballSquads}}
| position = Winger
| currentclub = Brentford
| clubnumber =
| youthclubs1 = Erith & Belvedere
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs2 = East Soccer Base
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs3 = Queens Park Rangers
| youthyears3 = {{0|0000}}–2018
| youthclubs4 = Fulham
| youthyears4 = 2018–2022
| youthclubs5 = Brentford
| youthyears5 = 2022–2023
| years1 = 2023–
| clubs1 = Brentford
| goals1 = 0
| caps1 = 8
| years2 = 2024
| clubs2 = → Peterborough United (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2024–2025
| clubs3 = → Wigan Athletic (loan)
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2025
| clubs4 = → Chesterfield (loan)
| caps4 = 17
| goals4 = 2
| club-update = 14:41, 27 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalyears1 = 2021–2022
| nationalteam1 = England U18
| nationalcaps1 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2023
| nationalteam2 = England U20
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
}}
Michael Oluwakorede Olakigbe (born 6 April 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for {{English football updater|Brentfor}} club Brentford.
Olakigbe is a product of the Fulham and Queens Park Rangers academies and began his professional career with Brentford in 2022. He has been capped by England at youth level.
Club career
= Early years =
Following spells with Erith & Belvedere and the East Soccer Base and Queens Park Rangers academies,{{Cite web |title=Olakigbe – Just getting started |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/michael-olakigbe-just-getting-started?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Escreen-name:BrentfordFC%7Ctwcon%5Es1 |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=Confirmed : Talented Nigerian Winger Joins Premier League New Boys Fulham |url=https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=28555 |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=All Nigeria Soccer – The Complete Nigerian Football Portal}} Olakigbe joined the Fulham Academy in 2018. He progressed through the ranks from U14 level to sign a scholarship deal at the end of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web |date=27 August 2020 |title=The Academy Cast Of 2020/21 |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/The-Academy-Cast-Of-2020-21/ |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=Fulham FC}} He departed the club in July 2022.{{Cite web |date=29 July 2022 |title=Olakigbe Joins Brentford |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/july/29/Olakigbe-Joins-Brentford/ |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=Fulham FC}}
= Brentford =
== 2022–23 ==
On 29 July 2022, Olakigbe transferred to the B team at Premier League club Brentford and signed a four-year contract, with the option of a further year,{{Cite web |title=Michael Olakigbe joins Brentford B |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/michael-olakigbe-joins-brentford-b |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} for an undisclosed fee. Injured at the time of his arrival, Olakigbe made his B team debut in October 2022 and progressed sufficiently to be included in the first team squad for its mid-season training camp in Girona. He made three friendly appearances during the period and trained with the first team during the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web |title=Brentford 1 Celta Vigo 3 |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-celta-vigo-friendly-match-report |access-date=25 December 2022 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=Brentford 2 Wolfsburg 2 |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-2-wolfsburg-2-match-report-friendly |access-date=25 December 2022 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} On 1 April 2023, Olakigbe won his maiden call into a first team matchday squad and he remained an unused substitute during a 3–3 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.{{Cite web |last=Brace |first=Jack |date=8 November 2023 |title=Brentford's failed pursuit of diamonds unearths gem of their own in Michael Olakigbe |url=https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/11/08/premier-league/1162206-brentfords-failed-pursuit-of-diamonds-unearths-gem-of-their-own-in-michael-olakigbe.html |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=Vavel |language=en}} He made 9 appearances during the B team's 2022–23 Premier League Cup-winning campaign and scored seven goals overall during the season.
== 2023–24 and loan to Peterborough United ==
Olakigbe was included in the first team group during the 2023–24 pre-season and made five friendly appearances,{{Cite web |title=Highlights, report and reaction: Boreham Wood 1 Brentford 1 |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/match-reports-boreham-wood-1-brentford-1-pre-season-friendly |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} scoring two goals.{{Cite web |title=Michael Olakigbe: Chasing the Dream |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-b-team-michael-olakigbe-chasing-the-dream |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} He made his competitive debut for the club with a start in a EFL Cup second round shoot-out win over Newport County on 29 August 2023. Thereafter, Olakigbe was included in the majority of Brentford's matchday squads and he made 11 substitute appearances through to mid-January 2024. During his run of appearances, Olakigbe signed a new {{frac|4|1|2}}-year contract, with the option of a further year.{{Cite web |title=Michael Olakigbe signs new long-term contract |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-b-team-michael-olakigbe-signs-new-long-term-contract |access-date=29 November 2023 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} On 30 January 2024, he joined League One club Peterborough United on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web |title=Olakigbe makes Peterborough loan move |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-b-team-michael-olakigbe-brentford-peterborough-united-loan- |access-date=30 January 2024 |website=Brentford FC}} During a spell interrupted by suspension and injury,{{Cite web |title=Peart-Harris and Portsmouth set the pace in League One |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/loanees-myles-peart-harris-carlisle-united-0-portsmouth-1-sky-bet-league-one |access-date=9 May 2024 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=Brentford pair to meet in League One play-offs |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/loanees-fin-stevens-oxford-united-michael-olakigbe-peterborough-united-league-one-play-offs |access-date=9 May 2024 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} Olakigbe made just five appearances and was not involved in the club's unsuccessful playoff campaign.{{Cite web |title=Maghoma and Stevens set for play-off final showdown |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/loanees-paris-maghoma-bolton-wanderers-fin-stevens-oxford-united-league-one-play-off-final |access-date=9 May 2024 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}
== 2024–25 and loans to Wigan Athletic and Chesterfield ==
On 29 May 2024, Olakigbe joined League One club Wigan Athletic on loan for the duration of the 2024–25 season.{{Cite web |title=Olakigbe makes Wigan loan move |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-b-team-michael-olakigbe-joins-wigan-atheltic-on-loan-sky-bet-league-one |access-date=29 May 2024 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} In early July, an "innocuous challenge" during a practice match at the club's pre-season training camp resulted in Olakigbe missing the first six weeks of the regular season with a fractured fibula.{{Cite web |title=Massive injury blow as new Wigan Athletic signing Michael Olakigbe ruled out for three months with broken leg |url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/massive-injury-blow-as-new-wigan-athletic-signing-michael-olakigbe-ruled-out-for-three-months-with-broken-leg-4699527 |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=Wigan Today|date=11 July 2024 }}{{Cite web |date=11 July 2024 |title=Shaun Maloney {{!}} Accrington Stanley (A) Preview |url=https://wiganathletic.com/news/2024/july/11/shaun-maloney-accrington-stanley--a--preview/ |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Wigan Athletic FC}}{{Cite news |title=Report: Wigan Athletic 0 Stevenage 0 – Olakigbe debut is highlight of frustrating night for Tics |url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/report-wigan-athletic-0-stevenage-0-olakigbe-debut-is-highlight-of-frustrating-night-for-tics-4796056 |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=Wigan Today}} He made 18 appearances and scored one goal prior to his recall on 27 January 2025.{{Cite web |title=Olakigbe recalled from Wigan loan |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-b-team-michael-olakigbe-recalled-from-wigan-athletic-loan |access-date=27 January 2025 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} Four days later, Olakigbe joined League Two club Chesterfield on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season.{{Cite web |title=Olakigbe makes Chesterfield loan move |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-b-team-michael-olakigbe-brentford-chesterfield-loan |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}} He made 18 appearances and scored two goals during the remainder of the season, which culminated in a playoff semi-final defeat.{{Cite web |title=Walsall 2–1 Chesterfield (4–1 agg): Saddlers reach League Two play-off final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ced29yly08nt |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Following the expiry of the loan, Olakigbe played in the remainder of Brentford B's season and was part of the 2024–25 Professional Development League-winning squad.{{Cite web |title=Bournemouth U21s 2 Brentford U21s 3: Yogane scores the winner to secure PDL title for young Bees |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-b-team-bournemouth-u21s-2-brentford-u21s-3-tony-yogane-scores-winner-to-secure-pdl-title |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}
International career
Olakigbe is eligible to represent England or Nigeria at international level. In March 2021, Olakigbe was called into an England U17 training camp and played in a hybrid friendly versus Watford U23 during the camp.{{Soccerway|id=647684|accessdate=29 July 2022}}{{Cite web |date=22 March 2021 |title=International Call-Ups |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/march/International-Call-Ups/ |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=Fulham FC}} In September 2021, he won his first U18 call-up to a training camp and friendly versus Wales.{{Cite web |date=1 September 2021 |title=International Call-Ups |url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/september/International-Call-Ups/ |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=Fulham FC}} He made his international debut as a half-time substitute for Samuel Mather during the 1–1 draw.{{Cite web |title=England MU18s were held to a 1–1 draw by Wales in Newport |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2021/Sep/03/20210309-england-mu18s-wales-report |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=The Football Association |language=en}} Olakigbe won nine U18 caps and scored two goals during the 2021–22 season and was a part of the squad which emerged victorious in a four-nation tournament hosted in Zagreb in June 2022.{{Cite web |title=England MU18s win four nations tournament |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2022/Jun/13/england-under-18s-versus-croatia-match-report-20220613 |access-date=29 July 2022 |website=The Football Association |language=en}}
On 1 September 2023, Olakigbe won his maiden call into the U20 squad, for a training camp at St George's Park.{{Cite web |title=Training camp squad selected for England MU20s |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Sep/01/england-mu20s-squad-named-for-training-camp-20230109 |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=The Football Association |language=en}} One month later, he was called into the squad for the team's opening pair of Under 20 Elite League fixtures,{{Cite web |title=England men's Elite League squad named |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Oct/06/england-mens-elite-league-squad-named-for-romania-and-portugal-games-20230610 |access-date=6 October 2023 |website=The Football Association |language=en}} both of which he appeared in.{{Cite web |title=Report: Romania 2–0 England's Elite League squad |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Oct/12/england-mens-elite-league-squad-romania-report-20231012 |access-date=18 October 2023 |website=The Football Association |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Report: England Elite League squad 1–2 Portugal |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Oct/17/england-mens-elite-league-squad-portugal-match-report-20231710 |access-date=18 October 2023 |website=The Football Association |language=en}}
Personal life
Olakigbe is British born and of Nigerian descent.{{WorldFootball.net|id=michael-olakigbe}} He grew up in Bexleyheath and his mother runs the Pro Ballers football academy in the area.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 16 May 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" |National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup}} ! colspan="2" |League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |
|---|
| rowspan="3" |Brentford
|2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=176117|season=2022|access-date=1 April 2023}} |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |― |0 |0 |
| 2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=176117|season=2023|access-date=26 August 2023}}
|Premier League |8 |0 |2 |0 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |― |12 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!8 !0 !2 !0 !2 !0 ! colspan="2" |― !12 !0 |
| Peterborough United (loan)
|5 |0 | colspan="2" |― | colspan="2" |― |0 |0 |5 |0 |
| Wigan Athletic (loan)
|2024–25{{Soccerbase season|id=176117|season=2024|access-date=29 May 2024}} |League One |13 |0 |2 |0 |0 |0 |1 |18 |1 |
| Chesterfield (loan)
|17 |2 | colspan="2" |― | colspan="2" |― |1Appearance in League Two play-offs |0 |18 |2 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!43 !2 !4 !0 !2 !0 !4 !1 !53 !3 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerbase|176117}}
- [https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/teams/profile/michael-olakigbe Michael Olakigbe] at brentfordfc.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olakigbe, Michael}}
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:English people of Nigerian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Brentford F.C. players
Category:Peterborough United F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Lambeth
Category:English Football League players
Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players