Mipo Odubeko

Odubeko was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland to Nigerian parents and grew up in Tallaght, and he spent his formative years playing football for St Joseph's Boys.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/west-hams-ademipo-odubeko-will-play-for-ireland-again-insists-agent-amid-nigeria-speculation-tjzd9bdq9|title=West Ham’s Ademipo Odubeko ‘will play for Ireland again’ insists agent amid Nigeria speculation|publisher=The Times|last=Rowan|first=Paul|date=13 June 2021|access-date=13 June 2021|url-access=subscription}} He acted as a ball boy for multiple Shamrock Rovers matches in Tallaght Stadium during his teenage years.{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Seán |title=‘I grew up down the road from Tallaght Stadium’ – Shelbourne’s Mipo Odubeko on being a ball boy for Shamrock Rovers |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/i-grew-up-down-the-road-from-tallaght-stadium-shelbournes-mipo-odubeko-on-being-a-ball-boy-for-shamrock-rovers/a492655644.html |website=independent.ie |publisher=Irish Independent |access-date=25 April 2025}} When he was fourteen years old, Odubeko and his family relocated to Manchester in England where, despite initially encountering registration concerns due to FIFA's prohibition on the international transfer of minors, he later represented both Manchester City and Manchester United at youth level. He spent the majority of his remaining schoolboy years with the latter, where he scored on his U18 Premier League debut and netted 35 times in total, before joining the academy side of fellow Premier League club West Ham United in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2019/october/25-october/west-ham-united-sign-prolific-striker-mipo-odubeko|title=West Ham United sign prolific striker Mipo Odubeko|publisher=West Ham United F.C.|date=25 October 2019|access-date=13 June 2021}}

{{quote box|quote="Mipo signing for West Ham is another really positive story for the Academy. He is a promising player we are looking forward to working with and this move is a great opportunity for him to join us and continue his journey..."|source=—West Ham United academy manager Ricky Martin, October 2019.|width=36%|quoted=1|align=right}}

In October 2019, shortly after his seventeenth birthday, Odubeko turned down a contract extension with Manchester United in order to sign a three-year deal with West Ham. Over the course of the next two seasons, he excelled with the club's development side and scored eleven goals in ten appearances in the Premier League 2, winning the competition's Player of the Month award in April 2021 in the process.{{cite news|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/may/17-may/mipo-odubeko-named-premier-league-2-player-month-april|title=Mipo Odubeko named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for April|date=17 May 2021|access-date=13 June 2021|publisher=West Ham United F.C.}} Odubeko's form at youth level caught the attention of first-team manager David Moyes during the 2020–21 season and he made two senior appearances for the campaign, making his debut as a substitute for Michail Antonio in the club's 1–0 FA Cup third round victory over Stockport County, before featuring again in the following round of the competition against his former side Manchester United.{{cite news|title=Stockport County 0-1 West Ham |publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 January 2021 |access-date=12 January 2021|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55576519|last=Emons|first=Michael}}{{Cite news |title=Stockport County 0-1 West Ham: FA Cup third round - as it happened|publisher=The Guardian|last=Murray|first=Scott|date=11 January 2021 |access-date=12 January 2021|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2021/jan/11/stockport-county-v-west-ham-fa-cup-third-round-live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/may/10-may/mipo-odubeko-shortlisted-premier-league-2-player-month|title=Mipo Odubeko shortlisted for Premier League 2 Player of the Month|publisher=West Ham United F.C.|date=10 May 2021|access-date=13 June 2021}} Throughout the season, he also trained regularly with the senior team and was named in the club's matchday squad on eighteen occasions throughout the Premier League campaign.{{Soccerway|ademipo-odubeko/597592|access-date=14 June 2021}} He was released by West Ham at the end of the 2022–23 season, having made two appearances for the club.{{cite web | title=West Ham United issue Retain List | website=West Ham United F.C. | url=http://www.whufc.com/news/west-ham-united-issue-retain-list-0 | access-date=16 June 2023}} He trained with Dutch Eerste Divisie side VVV-Venlo in July 2023.{{cite news |last1=Emmanuel |first1=Ifeanyi |title=Man Utd academy product Odubeko training at VVV Venlo after West Ham exit |url=https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=47989 |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal |date=5 July 2023}}

On 30 August 2021, Odubeko moved on a season-long loan to EFL Championship side Huddersfield Town, where he was given the number 7 shirt.{{cite news |last1=Threlfall-Sykes |first1=David |title=Signing: Striker Mipo Odubeko Joins On Loan! |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2021/august/signing-striker-mipo-odubeko-joins-on-loan/ |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=www.htafc.com |date=30 August 2021 |language=en-gb}} Leigh Bromby, Huddersfield's Head of Football Operations, said that he would compete with Danny Ward, Fraizer Campbell and Josh Koroma for a first-team place in the absence of star striker Jordan Rhodes; head coach Carlos Corberán said Odubeko "offers us something different in the attacking areas". He made his debut for the club in the English Football League on 11 September, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute for Fraizer Campbell in a 2–1 defeat at Stoke City.{{cite news |title=Stoke come from behind to beat Terriers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58444602 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2021}} However, he found his first-team opportunities limited at the Kirklees Stadium as Huddersfield played with only one striker on the pitch and one striker on the bench.{{cite news |last1=Chicken |first1=Steven |title=Mipo Odubeko's Huddersfield Town prospects detailed after squad omissions |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/odubeko-huddersfield-prospect-west-ham-21871597 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=YorkshireLive |date=15 October 2021 |language=en}} After only making six substitute appearances in the first half of the 2021–22 season, amounting to 107 minutes of playing time, West Ham activated his recall clause, and his loan was ended on 4 January 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/breaking-odubeko-returns-west-ham-22637605|title=Odubeko returns to West Ham as Huddersfield Town loan recall clause triggered|first=Steven|last=Chicken|date=4 January 2022|website=YorkshireLive}}

On 27 January 2022, Odubeko joined EFL League One side Doncaster Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2022/january/west-ham-forward-mipo-odubeko-joins-rovers-on-loan/ |title=West Ham forward Mipo Odubeko joins Rovers on loan |publisher=Doncaster Rovers FC |date=27 January 2022 |accessdate=27 January 2022}} He scored his debut goal for the club, a powerful shot from {{convert|15|yards}}, in a 2–1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Keepmoat Stadium on 15 April.{{cite news |title=REPORT {{!}} Rovers 1 Bolton Wanderers 2 |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2022/april/bolton-report/ |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk |date=15 April 2022 |language=en-gb}} He scored another goal three days later in a 3–3 draw at Shrewsbury Town.{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town 3-3 Doncaster Rovers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61063067 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2022}} He scored two goals in eight starts and eight substitute appearances for Gary McSheffrey's side, who were relegated in 22nd-place. He admitted the loan spell had been "testing" and that relegation had hurt, leaving him "sad it had to end like this".{{cite news |last1=Goodwin |first1=Paul |title=On-loan West Ham United striker Mipo Odubeko hits out at accusation aimed at Doncaster Rovers loan players |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/on-loan-west-ham-united-striker-mipo-odubeko-hits-out-at-accusation-aimed-at-doncaster-rovers-loan-players-3660731 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=Doncaster Free Press |date=20 April 2022 |language=en}}

On 26 August 2022, Odubeko signed for League One side Port Vale on a season-long loan.{{Cite news |date=26 August 2022 |title=West Ham loan young striker Odubeko to Port Vale |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62691814 |access-date=27 August 2022}} Manager Darrell Clarke compared him to Kian Harratt, who had impressed on loan at the club the previous season, saying "they love to stretch the game [and] run in behind a defence".{{cite news |last1=Mounteney |first1=Luke |title=Mipo Odubeko to join the Vale on loan |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2022/august/mipo-odubeko-joins-the-vale-on-loan/ |access-date=1 September 2022 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=26 August 2022 |language=en-gb}} Odubeko made his debut at Vale Park four days later, and impressed coach Andy Crosby as he played the full ninety minutes against Stockport County in the EFL Trophy whilst Ellis Harrison – the club's only other available specialist striker – was rested.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale encouraged by West Ham striker Odubeko's debut |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-management-rate-debut-7528117 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=31 August 2022 |language=en}} Odubeko scored "with a powerful downward header" on his league debut for the club in a 2–2 draw with Cheltenham Town on 3 September.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Odubeko provides consolation as Port Vale reflect on tough afternoon |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/odubeko-west-ham-port-vale-7548539 |access-date=5 September 2022 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=5 September 2022 |language=en}} He ended the 2022–23 campaign with four goals in 27 games, having not featured after 11 February.

On 17 July 2023, Odubeko signed a two-year contract with Liga Portugal 2 club Marítimo.{{cite news |last1=Sousa |first1=Vitor |title=Mipo Odubeko é o novo ponta-de-lança às ordens de Tulipa – CSM |url=https://www.csmaritimo.org.pt/mipo-odubeko-e-o-novo-ponta-de-lanca-as-ordens-de-tulipa/ |access-date=17 July 2023 |work=cs maritimo |date=17 July 2023 |language=pt-PT}} He played five games for the B team in the Campeonato de Portugal during the 2023–24 season. On 18 July 2024, Odubeko departed the club having had his contract terminated by mutual consent. {{cite web|url=https://www.csmaritimo.org.pt/rescisao-de-contrato-com-mipo-odubeko/|trans-title=TERMINATION OF CONTRACT WITH MIPO ODUBEKO|title=RESCISÃO DE CONTRATO COM MIPO ODUBEKO|language=Portuguese|website=www.csmaritimo.org.pt|date=18 July 2024|accessdate=18 July 2024}} He then had a trial with English club Barnsley, managed by former Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke.{{cite news |title=Reds win 3-0 at Accrington |url=https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/28957/reds-win-3-0-at-accrington |access-date=21 July 2024 |work=Barnsley Chronicle |language=en}}

On 12 August 2024, Odubeko joined League Two club Fleetwood Town on an initial one-year deal with the option for a further twelve months. {{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/club-news/mipo-odubeko-joins-the-cod-army/|title=Mipo Odubeko joins the Cod Army|website=www.fleetwoodtownfc.com|date=12 August 2024|accessdate=12 August 2024}} On 11 December 2024, Fleetwood confirmed that they had cancelled Odubeko's contract after he had made 11 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.{{Cite web |last=Paddock |first=Rob |date=2024-12-11 |title=Odubeko leaves Town |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/club-news/odubeko-leaves-town/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Fleetwood Town FC |language=en-US}}

On 20 December 2024, Odubeko signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Shelbourne ahead of their 2025 season.{{cite news |last1=Casey |first1=Gavan |title=Shelbourne sign former Man United and West Ham prospect Mipo Odubeko |url=https://www.the42.ie/mipo-odubeko-4-6578670-Dec2024/ |access-date=22 December 2024 |work=The 42 |date=20 December 2024 |language=en}} He scored the opening goal in the 2025 President of Ireland's Cup victory over Drogheda United.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Philip |title=Shelbourne land second trophy under Damien Duff after breezing past Drogheda |url=https://extra.ie/2025/02/08/sport/soccernews/shelbourne-presidents-cup-win |access-date=12 February 2025 |work=extra.ie |date=8 February 2025}}

Odubeko was born in the Republic of Ireland and is of Nigerian descent through his parents, who were both born in the African country. He represented the Republic of Ireland's under-16 side in their successful 2017 Victory Shield campaign and was selected to play for the under-17 team in two matches against Finland in March 2019. However, he was overlooked for Ireland's squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship despite his strong form at club level and, having not represented the nation in the intervening period, rejected subsequent call-ups to the under-21 squad in 2021, sparking speculation that he could switch allegiances to Nigeria.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/jim-crawford-hoping-mipo-odubeko-will-stick-with-ireland-over-nigeria-1.4579068|title=Jim Crawford hoping Mipo Odubeko will stick with Ireland over Nigeria|publisher=Irish Times|date=29 May 2021|access-date=13 June 2021|last=Cummiskey|first=Gavin}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40301489.html|title=Ireland U21 boss: We must sort out Mipo Odubeko situation once and for all|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=29 May 2021|access-date=13 June 2021|last=Fallon|first=John}} He also remains eligible to represent England.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/west-ham-youngsters-ireland-international-future-uncertain-5447535-May2021/|title=Highly-rated West Ham teenager's Ireland international future uncertain|last=Fennessy|first=Paul|publisher=The 42|date=26 May 2021|access-date=14 June 2021}} Odubeko made his debut for the Republic of Ireland under-21 team on 29 March 2022 in a 2–0 win away to Sweden in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.{{cite news |title=REPORT {{!}} Sweden U21 0-2 Ireland U21 {{!}} Football Association of Ireland |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-sweden-u21-0-2-ireland-u21 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=www.fai.ie |date=29 March 2022}} On 3 June 2022, he scored his first goal for the under-21s in a 3–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at Tallaght Stadium.{{cite news |last1=O'Connor |first1=Seán |title=Smallbone and Odubeko inspire Ireland U21s to victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/smallbone-and-odubeko-inspire-ireland-u21s-to-victory-over-bosnia-and-herzegovina-41718904.html |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=independent |date=3 June 2022 |language=en}}

Odubeko is a striker who boasts a prolific goalscoring record at youth level. He is predominantly right-footed but has been described as being "strong, powerful and fast" and as a player who is capable of playing on "his right and left side and who is good in the air" by former coach Bernard Byrne.{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/mipo-odubeko-5331631-Jan2021/|title='It’s only a matter of time' - The latest Irish teenager on the verge of a Premier League breakthrough|publisher=The 42|last=Cooney|first=Gavin|date=23 January 2021|access-date=13 June 2021}} This has been echoed by Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Jim Crawford who, in 2021, reflected on Odubeko as being a player who possesses "unbelievable pace, can score goals and would be an asset to any squad."{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/uncertainty-over-mipo-odubekos-long-term-commitment-to-ireland-is-a-worry-for-the-fai-40470055.html|title=Uncertainty over Mipo Odubeko's long-term commitment to Ireland is a worry for the FAI|publisher=Independent Ireland|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Aidan|date=26 May 2021|access-date=13 June 2021}}

{{Updated|match played 21 April 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Shelbourne

• President of Ireland's Cup: 2025

{{reflist}}

{{Shelbourne F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Odubeko, Mipo}}

Category:2002 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Tallaght

Category:Association footballers from County Dublin

Category:Sportspeople from South Dublin (county)

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Black Irish sportspeople

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen

Category:Irish people of Nigerian descent

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Crumlin United F.C. players

Category:Manchester City F.C. players

Category:Manchester United F.C. players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players

Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players

Category:Port Vale F.C. players

Category:C.S. Marítimo players

Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players

Category:Shelbourne F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Campeonato de Portugal (league) players

Category:League of Ireland players

Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal

Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Portugal