Peter Olayinka

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Peter Olayinka

| image = Peter Olayinka.jpg

| caption = Olayinka playing for Red Star Belgrade

| full_name = Peter Olayinka Oladeji

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|11|18|df=y}}

| birth_place = Ibadan, Nigeria

| height = 1.88 m

| position = Left winger, forward

| currentclub = Red Star Belgrade

| clubnumber = 14

| youthyears1 = 2010–2012

| youthclubs1 = JB Sport FC

| youthyears2 = 2012–2013

| youthclubs2 = Bylis

| years1 = 2012–2014

| clubs1 = Bylis

| caps1 = 40

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2013–2014

| clubs2 = → Yenicami (loan)

| caps2 = 21

| goals2 = 8

| years3 = 2014–2016

| clubs3 = Skënderbeu

| caps3 = 33

| goals3 = 16

| years4 = 2016–2018

| clubs4 = Gent

| caps4 = 0

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2016–2017

| clubs5 = → Dukla Prague (loan)

| caps5 = 29

| goals5 = 5

| years6 = 2017–2018

| clubs6 = → Zulte Waregem (loan)

| caps6 = 35

| goals6 = 11

| years7 = 2018–2023

| clubs7 = Slavia Prague

| caps7 = 115

| goals7 = 33

| years8 = 2023–

| clubs8 = Red Star Belgrade

| caps8 = 42

| goals8 = 13

| nationalyears1 = 2019–

| nationalteam1 = Nigeria

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 24 May 2025

| nationalteam-update = 23 January 2022

}}

Peter Olayinka Oladeji (born 18 November 1995) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a left winger or forward for Serbian SuperLiga club Red Star Belgrade and the Nigeria national team.

Club career

=Early career=

Olayinka started his career with (Baba Boss) in Ibadan before in January 2012 he joined Bylis in the Kategoria Superiore, where he initially joined the club's under-19s due to being just 17 at the time. He was promoted to the senior team under Agim Canaj during the 2012–13 season, and he made his professional debut on 20 October 2012 in an Kategoria Superiore game against Luftëtari, in which he came on as an 84th-minute substitute for Jetmir Sefa in the 2–0 win.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/10/20/albania/super-league/ks-bylis-ballsh/ks-luftetari-gjirokaster/1306004/|title=Bylis vs. Luftëtari Gjirokastër - 20 October 2012|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 May 2018}} With the departure of Canaj and the arrival of Naci Şensoy as head coach in November, Olayinka received more playing time under Şensoy who showed faith in the young player. He scored his first goal on 3 February 2013 against Teuta an Albanian Cup tie that ended in a 2–2 draw.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/02/04/albania/cup/ks-teuta-durres/ks-bylis-ballsh/1410265/|title=Teuta Durrës vs. Bylis - 4 February 2013|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 May 2018}} He scored again month later on 3 March against Laçi in a 3–2 away loss.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/06/albania/cup/kf-laci/ks-bylis-ballsh/1410270/|title=Laçi vs. Bylis - 6 March 2013|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 May 2018}} He scored again in the Albanian Cup in the first leg of the semi-finals against Skënderbeu, scoring the first goal in a 1–1 draw at the Skënderbeu Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/04/03/albania/cup/ks-skenderbeu-korce/ks-bylis-ballsh/1460526/|title=Skënderbeu Korçë vs. Bylis - 3 April 2013|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 May 2018}} He featured in 14 league games during the 2012–13 campaign without scoring, and helped his side narrowly avoid relegation to the Kategoria e Parë, starting 6 games and completing the full 90 minutes on 2 two occasions. He scored three times in the Albanian Cup in 10 appearances, as his side reached the final for the first time in their history. He started up front in the final against Laçi but was substituted off late in extra time, just before Laçi snatch the game through an Emiliano Çela winner in the 119th minute.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/05/17/albania/cup/kf-laci/ks-bylis-ballsh/1470538/|title=Laçi vs. Bylis - 17 May 2013|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 May 2018}}

=Yenicami Ağdelen=

Following the end of the 2012–13 season he attracted clubs from both within Albania and abroad, and it was reported that Portuguese club FC Porto offered Bylis €500,000 for his services but the offer was turned down. Olayinka left the club in the summer of 2013, and asked the governing body of football FIFA to release him from his contract with the club, but Bylis also contacted FIFA, who eventually ruled in favour of the club as he was still under contract. Bylis then took up the option to renew his contract, meaning he was unable to play for another club without their permission, but in order to get around this he joined Northern Cypriot club Yenicami Ağdelen for the 2013–14 season as the North Cyprus Süper Lig is not officially recognised by FIFA. He scored 8 league goals in 21 games to help the club win the Süper Lig for the first time in 20 years. He also scored 6 times in 5 Federasyon Kupası games as his side were beaten finalists, taking his goal tally to 14 goals in 26 games for the club.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ktff.org/InfoBank/PlayerDetails/13416|title=OLAYINKA PETER OLADEJI Informations|website=ktff.net|access-date=14 May 2018}}

=Skënderbeu=

Olayinka had allegedly agreed terms with Kukësi but on 28 August 2014 he agreed terms with reigning Albanian champions Skënderbeu, and was seen as a replacement for Pero Pejić who had recently moved to Kukësi. His transfer to Skënderbeu was heavily disputed by Kukësi and its president Safet Gjici, who also appealed the move to the Albanian Football Association and reported the player to the police. Nonetheless, Olayinka joined up with the rest of the Skënderbeu squad ahead of the 2014–15 season, and he played his first game for the club in a 0–0 away draw at Apolonia on 19 September, where he played the full 90 minutes.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/14/albania/super-league/ks-apolonia-fier/ks-skenderbeu-korce/1701451/|title=Apolonia Fier vs. Skënderbeu Korçë - 14 September 2014|website=Soccerway|access-date=14 May 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/categories/nigeria-players-abroad/unheralded-peter-olayinka-has-joined-albanian-top-flight-outfit-ks-sk-nderbeu-kor-1/175521|title=Unheralded Peter Olayinka Has Joined Albanian Top Flight Outfit KS Skënderbeu Korçë|website=soccerladuma.co.za|access-date=14 May 2018}}

He returned to Albania in August before the start of the 2015–16 Kategoria Superiore, season and rejoined Skënderbeu, where he was allowed to play once again after serving his suspension.

On 12 September 2015, Olayinka scored his first league goals of 2015–16 season against newly promoted side Tërbuni, scoring both goals of 0–2 away win.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/2015/09/skenderbeu-thyen-terbunin-dopieta-e-olainkes-i-jep-kryesimin-korcareve/|title=Skënderbeu likuidon Tërbunin dhe merr kreun|date=12 September 2015|work=Panorama Sport|accessdate=14 September 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914001930/http://www.panorama-sport.com/2015/09/skenderbeu-thyen-terbunin-dopieta-e-olainkes-i-jep-kryesimin-korcareve/|archivedate=14 September 2015}}

=Gent=

Olayinka signed a three-year deal with K.A.A. Gent for €1.1 million.{{Cite news|url=http://m.news24.com/nigeria/Sport/Football/kaa-gent-signs-peter-olayinka-20151211|title=Africa News|website=News24|access-date=14 May 2018}} He joined Czech First League side Dukla Prague on a year-long loan in July 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.denik.cz/fotbal/fotbaliste-dukly-hlasi-posilu-do-utoku-ziskali-olayinka-z-gentu-20160723.html|title=Fotbalisté Dukly hlásí posilu do útoku, získali Olayinka z Gentu|trans-title=Dukla football club announces reinforcements to the attack, gained Olayinka from Ghent|language=cs|website=Deník|date=23 July 2016|accessdate=23 October 2018}}

=Slavia Prague=

File:Peter Olayinka, FCB-SLAVIA 30092018.jpg in 2018]]

On 21 July 2018, Slavia Prague signed Olayinka on a four-year contract from Gent for €3,200,000.{{cite web |title=Velká posila: Do Slavie příchází Peter Olayinka! |url=https://www.slavia.cz/clanek.asp?id=Velka-posila-Do-Slavie-prichazi-Peter-Olayinka-15753 |website=slavia.cz |publisher=SK Slavia Prague |accessdate=22 July 2018 |language=cs|date=21 July 2018}}

=Red Star Belgrade=

In the evening of 9 January 2023, Red Star Belgrade and Olayinka agreed on the transfer, which will become active after the end of Peter's contract with Slavia.{{cite web | url=http://www.crvenazvezdafk.com/scc/vest/14402/Piter-Olanjinka-u-Zvezdi | title=Питер Олањинка у Звезди! }}

International career

Because of his talent, Albanian FA made numerous attempts of making Olayinka the first African player to play for Albanian national team.{{Cite web|url=http://borozani.com/artikulli/olayinka-mund-te-shqiptarizohet|title=Olayinka mund të "shqiptarizohet"|website=Borozani.com|language=sq-AL|access-date=14 May 2018}} At that time Olayinka himself said that he was willing to play for Albania if he got the Albanian passport.{{Cite web |url=http://m.telegrafi.com/sport/e-pabesueshme-nigeriani-deshiron-te-luaje-per-shqiperine-5-0-60543.html |title=E pabesueshme: Nigeriani dëshiron të luajë për Shqipërinë |access-date=17 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105848/http://m.telegrafi.com/sport/e-pabesueshme-nigeriani-deshiron-te-luaje-per-shqiperine-5-0-60543.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=dead }} However, in September 2019, he was nominated for an international friendly match between Nigeria and Brazil.{{Cite web|url=https://bsnsports.com.ng/brazil-vs-nigeria-olayinka-secures-first-eagles-call-up-as-azeez-return-to-the-team/|title=Brazil Vs Nigeria: Olayinka secures first Eagles call up, as Azeez return to the team|last=Busari|first=Niyi|date=27 September 2019|website=BSN Sports|access-date=27 September 2019}} Ever since 2019, he has made 4 appearances for the Nigerian national team.

Personal life

In March 2021, he married Nigerian model Yetunde Barnabas.{{cite web|url=https://metronews247.co.uk/super-eagles-player-peter-olayinka-marries-gets-married-to-his-fiancee-yetunde-barnabas/|title=Super Eagles player Peter Olayinka gets married to his fiancee Yetunde Barnabas|website=Metronews247|date=n.d.|accessdate=7 April 2022}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Albanian Cup, Czech Cup, Belgian Cup, Serbian Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Europe !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bylis \|2012–13 \|Kategoria Superiore \|14	0	10	3	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	24	3
Yenicami Ağdelen (loan) \|2013–14 \|KTFF Süper Lig \|21	8	5	6	colspan="2"\|—	1	1	27	15
rowspan="3"\|Skënderbeu \|2014–15 \|Kategoria Superiore \|15	6	2	3	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	17	9
2015–16 \|Kategoria Superiore \|18	10	3	0	6{{efn\|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, five appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	0	colspan="2"\|—	27	10
colspan="2"\|Total !33	16	5	3	6	0	0	0	44	19
Dukla Prague (loan) \|2016–17 \|Czech First League \|29	5	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	31	5
Zulte Waregem (loan) \|2017–18 \|Belgian First Division A \|34	11	1	0	4{{efn\|name=UEL\|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	0	1{{efn\|Appearance in Belgian Super Cup}}	0	40	11
rowspan="6" \|Slavia Prague \|2018–19 \|Czech First League \|24	6	5	0	10{{efn\|One appearance in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	0	colspan="2"\|—	39	6
2019–20 \|Czech First League \|20	4	0	0	8{{efn\|name=UCL\|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}	1	1	0	29	5
2020–21 \|Czech First League \|24	6	2	1	12{{efn\|Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, ten appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League}}	3	colspan="2"\|—	38	10
2021–22 \|Czech First League \|24	6	3	1	13{{efn\|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League, ten appearances and four goals in UEFA Europa Conference League}}	4	colspan="2"\|—	40	11
2022–23 \|Czech First League \|19	11	2	2	11{{efn\|name=UECL\|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}}	4	colspan="2"\|—	32	17
colspan="2"\|Total !111	33	12	4	44	12	1	0	178	49
rowspan="4"\|Red Star \|2023–24 \|Serbian SuperLiga \|35	11	3	1	5{{efn\|name=UCL}}	0	colspan="2"\|—	43	12
2024–25 \|Serbian SuperLiga \|7	2	0	0	5{{efn\|name=UCL}}	0	colspan="2"\|—	12	2
2025–26 \|Serbian SuperLiga \|0	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !42	13	3	1	10	0	colspan="2"\|—	55	14
colspan="3"\|Career total !284	86	38	17	74	12	3	1	396	115

Honours

Bylis

Albanian Cup runners-up: 2012–13

Yenicami Ağdelen

KTFF Süper Lig: 2013–14
Federasyon Kupası runners-up: 2013–14

Skënderbeu

Kategoria Superiore: 2014–15

Slavia Prague

Red Star Belgrade

Serbian SuperLiga: 2023–24
Serbian Cup: 2023–24{{cite web|url=https://fss.rs/izvestaj-sa-utakmice/39561022/|website=FSS|language=sr|accessdate=29 June 2024|title=RED STAR (Belgrade) 2–1 Vojvodina (N. Now)}}