Thomas Oluwa
{{short description|Irish footballer}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Thomas Oluwa
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2001|2|6}}
| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
| height =
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Drogheda United
| clubnumber = 11
| youthyears1 = –2018
| youthclubs1 = Crumlin United
| youthyears2 = 2018–2020
| youthclubs2 = Shamrock Rovers
| years1 = 2019–2020 | clubs1 = Shamrock Rovers | caps1 = 8 | goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2020 | clubs2 = → Shamrock Rovers II (loan) | caps2 = 12 | goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2021 | clubs3 = Bohemians | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2021 | clubs4 = Galway United | caps4 = 3 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2021–2022 | clubs5 = Larne | caps5 = 6 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2022 | clubs6 = Athlone Town | caps6 = 32 | goals6 = 11
| years7 = 2023 | clubs7 = Waterford | caps7 = 16 | goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2023 | clubs8 = → Wexford (loan) | caps8 = 13 | goals8 = 7
| years9 = 2024 | clubs9 = Wexford | caps9 = 34 | goals9 = 9
| years10 = 2025– | clubs10 = Drogheda United | caps10= 14 | goals10= 2
| club-update = 11:19, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Thomas Oluwa (born 6 February 2001) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for League of Ireland Premier Division club Drogheda United. His previous clubs are Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians, Galway United, Larne, Athlone Town, Waterford and Wexford.
Career
=Youth career=
Oluwa left Crumlin United{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/share/1DDJYESyxF/?mibextid=wwXIfr|title=Log into Facebook}} to join the academy of Shamrock Rovers in January 2018, spending 6 months with the club's under-17 team before joining up with the under-19's that summer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/11129159/thomas_oluwa/|title=Thomas Oluwa | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}}
=Shamrock Rovers=
Oluwa made his senior debut for the club on 1 April 2019, coming off the bench away to Bray Wanderers in a League of Ireland Cup tie which his side lost on penalties after a 0–0 draw at the Carlisle Grounds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2019-league-cup-second-round/bray-wanderers-v-shamrock-rovers/38118/4/report/|title=EA Sports Cup Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 0 Shamrock Rovers (Bray win 4-2 on penalties)|website=extratime.com}} He made his first appearance in European competition on 1 August 2019, replacing Greg Bolger from the bench in a 3–1 defeat after extra time away to Apollon Limassol in the UEFA Europa League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/apollon-limassol-shamrock-rovers-europa-league-qualifiers-second-round-second-leg-liveblog-4749155-Aug2019/|title=As it happened: Apollon v Shamrock Rovers, Europa League second qualifying round|first=Aaron|last=Gallagher|date=August 1, 2019|website=The 42}} On 19 August 2019 he made his league debut for the club, replacing Aaron Greene from the bench in the 76th minute away to Waterford, before scoring his first goal at senior level in the 88th minute as his side won 5–1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0819/1069757-byrne-on-song-as-shamrock-rovers-demolish-waterford/|title=Byrne on song as Shamrock Rovers demolish Waterford|first=Ronan|last=Morrissey|date=August 19, 2019|via=www.rte.ie}} He was an unused substitute in the 2019 FAI Cup final as his side defeated Dundalk on penalties at the Aviva Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/matches/2019/11/03/ireland-republic/fai-cup/dundalk-football-club/shamrock-rovers-football-club/3176482/|title=Dundalk vs. Shamrock Rovers - 3 November 2019 - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}} He made 4 league appearances for the club in 2020 on their way to winning the 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division title.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/shamrock-rovers-crowned-2020-loi-premier-division-champions-after-bohs-defeat-to-harps/39664036.html|title=Shamrock Rovers crowned 2020 LOI Premier Division champions after Bohs defeat to Harps|date=October 24, 2020|website=Irish Independent}}
=Bohemians=
On 23 December 2020, Oluwa signed for Rovers' Dublin rivals Bohemians for the 2021 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/26375/bohs-sign-striker-thomas-oluwa-from-shamrock-rovers/|title=Bohs sign striker Thomas Oluwa from Shamrock Rovers|first=Macdara|last=Ferris|website=extratime.com}} He struggled for game time with Bohs, making just 3 substitute appearances before departing the club in the summer.{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/thomas-oluwya/603056/|title=Republic of Ireland - T. Oluwa - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}}
=Galway United=
On 2 July 2021, he signed for League of Ireland First Division side Galway United.{{Cite web|url=https://galwayunitedfc.ie/new-signing-thomas-oluwa-signs-for-galway-united/|title=NEW SIGNING: THOMAS OLUWA SIGNS FOR GALWAY UNITED|first=Media|last=Team|date=July 2, 2021|website=Galway United}} He made a total of 4 appearances in all competitions for the club before departing the following month.
=Larne=
Oluwa signed for NIFL Premiership club Larne on transfer deadline day, 31 August 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://larnefc.com/larne-sign-forward-oluwa-from-galway/|title=Larne sign forward Oluwa from Galway | Larne FC|date=August 31, 2021|website=larnefc.com}} He scored his first goal for the club on 14 September 2021 in a 4–0 win over Limavady United in the Northern Ireland Football League Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nifootballleague.com/betmclean-cup/2021-2022/fixtures/2021-09-14-larne-v-limavady-united/|title=LARNE BREAK DOWN RESILIENT ROESIDERS|website=NI Football League}} He was part of the squad that won the 2021–22 County Antrim Shield on 11 January 2022, beating Linfield 1–0 in the final.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59960979|title=Co Antrim Shield: Impressive Larne see off Linfield in gripping final to retain trophy|date=January 11, 2022|via=www.bbc.com}} He cancelled his contract by mutual consent on 19 January 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://larnefc.com/sloan-greer-pen-pro-deals-while-oluwa-departs/|title=Sloan & Greer pen pro deals, while Oluwa departs | Larne FC|date=January 19, 2022|website=larnefc.com}}
=Athlone Town=
On 11 February 2022, Oluwa signed for League of Ireland First Division club Athlone Town.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/28632/thomas-oluwa-signs-for-athlone-town/|title=Thomas Oluwa signs for Athlone Town|first=Paul|last=Corcoran|website=extratime.com}} He made his debut for the club in the opening game of the season on 18 February 2018 in a 5–2 loss at home to Waterford.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2022-league-of-ireland-first-division/athlone-town-v-waterford/45173/4/report/|title=League Report: Athlone Town 2 - 5 Waterford|website=extratime.com}} He scored his first goal of the club on 14 March 2022 in a 3–2 defeat to Cobh Ramblers at the Athlone Town Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40828883.html|title=Cobh Ramblers claim last-gasp win at Athlone|first=John|last=O'Shea|date=March 14, 2022|website=Irish Examiner}} He went on to score a total of 11 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions during the season before it was announced on 9 December 2022 that he had departed the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2022/12/09/double-blow-for-athlone-but-several-players-sign-for-2023/|title=Double blow for Athlone but several players sign for 2023|date=December 9, 2022|website=Westmeath Independent}}
=Waterford=
On 2 December 2022, he signed for League of Ireland First Division promotion hopefuls Waterford ahead of their 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://waterfordfc.ie/2022/12/02/waterford-fc-sign-thomas-oluwa/|title=Waterford FC Sign Thomas Oluwa|first=Waterford|last=FC|date=December 2, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.waterfordlive.ie/news/soccer/979106/waterford-fc-announce-the-signing-of-electric-forward.html|title=Waterford FC announce the signing of electric forward|first=Tom|last=Byrne|date=December 3, 2022|website=www.waterfordlive.ie}} Oluwa made his debut on 21 January 2023 in a 2–1 win over Middleton in the Munster Senior Cup, scoring an 81st minute winner. His first league goal for the club came on 2 June 2023 in a 7–0 win over Treaty United at the RSC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/treaty-utd/1186408/waterford-strike-for-seven-goals-in-rout-win-over-treaty-united.html|title=Waterford strike for seven goals in rout win over Treaty United|first=John|last=Keogh|date=June 2, 2023|website=www.limerickleader.ie}} With just 3 of his 17 appearances coming in the starting 11, he was allowed to leave on loan in the summer in search of more regular game time.
=Wexford=
Oluwa moved on loan to fellow League of Ireland First Division club Wexford on loan in July 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://wexfordfc.ie/thomas-oluwa-joins-wexford-fc-on-loan/|title=Thomas Oluwa joins Wexford FC on loan | Wexford FC|date=July 14, 2023|website=wexfordfc.ie}} He scored in his first 2 games for the club, in a 3–0 win away to Bray Wanderers on 14 July{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/31267/league-report-bray-wanderers-0---3-wexford/|title=League Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 3 Wexford|first=Aisling|last=Hannon|website=extratime.com}} and in a 1–0 win over Treaty United at Ferrycarrig Park on 28 July 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41193967.html|title=Oluwa scores only goal as Wexford defeat Treaty|first=Brendan|last=Furlong|date=July 28, 2023|website=Irish Examiner}} He made the move permanent ahead of the 2024 season after scoring and impressive 7 goals in 13 league appearances during his loan spell.{{Cite web|url=https://wexfordfc.ie/thomas-oluwa-signs-for-2024/|title=Thomas Oluwa signs for 2024 | Wexford FC|date=December 11, 2023|website=wexfordfc.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/32359/wexford-secure-permanent-signing-of-striker-thomas-oluwa/|title=Wexford secure permanent signing of striker Thomas Oluwa|first=Andrew|last=Dempsey|website=extratime.com}} On 8 February 2024, he scored a Hat-trick in a 4–4 draw with Shelbourne in the Leinster Senior Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/sport/soccer/thomas-oluwa-looks-sharp-as-wexford-fc-draw-with-shelbourne/a801756800.html|title=Thomas Oluwa looks sharp as Wexford FC draw with Shelbourne|date=February 13, 2024|website=Irish Independent}} On 13 September 2024, he scored twice in a 4–1 win over Treaty United in the FAI Cup Quarter Final.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/fai-cup-quarter-final-wrap-6487605-Sep2024/|title=Wexford and Drogheda cruise into the last four with goal blitz|date=September 13, 2024|website=The 42}} 2024 saw Oluwa reach a career best in both appearances and goals in a season, scoring 15 in 42 games.
=Drogheda United=
Oluwa signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club and recent FAI Cup winners Drogheda United on 20 December 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/35104/drogheda-united-sign-forward-thomas-oluwa-from-wexford/|title=Drogheda United sign forward Thomas Oluwa from Wexford|first=Extratime|last=Team|website=extratime.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lmfm.ie/news/sport/oluwa-joins-drogheda-ranks-as-doherty-continues-to-strengthen-squad/|title=Oluwa joins Drogheda ranks as Doherty continues to strengthen squad|website=LMFM}} On 14 January 2025, he made his debut for the club in a Leinster Senior Cup tie against Shelbourne, scoring all of his side's goals in a 3–0 win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/thomas-oluwa-keeping-feet-firmly-on-the-ground-after-debut-hat-trick-for-drogheda-united/a359576096.html|title=Thomas Oluwa keeping feet firmly on the ground after debut hat-trick for Drogheda United|date=January 20, 2025|website=Irish Independent}} On 3 March 2025, he scored his first league goal for the club, in a 1–0 win away to his old club Bohemians at Dalymount Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/thomas-oluwa-is-the-hero-as-classy-drogheda-are-latest-side-to-silence-dalymounts-roar/a2052257825.html|title=Thomas Oluwa is the hero as classy Drogheda are latest side to silence Dalymount's roar|date=March 3, 2025|website=www.independent.ie}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 5 May 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/thomas-oluwya/603056/|title=Republic of Ireland - T. Oluwa - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}
| 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 FAI Cup & Irish Cup}} !colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|Includes League of Ireland Cup & Northern Ireland Football League Cup}} !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Shamrock Rovers
|2019 |rowspan="2"|LOI Premier Division |4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|Apprarance(s) in the UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | 0{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2020
|4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 0{{efn|Apprarance(s) in the UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 5 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| Shamrock Rovers II (loan)
|2020 |12 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 4 | |||||
| Bohemians
|2021 |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Galway United
|2021 |3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Larne
|6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the County Antrim Shield|name=statsCAS}} | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||
| Athlone Town
|2022 |32 | 11 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 11 | ||||
| Waterford
|2023 |16 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in the Munster Senior Cup|name=statsMSC}} | 1 | 18 | 2 | ||||
| Wexford (loan)
|2023 |13 | 7 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 7 | ||||
| Wexford
|2024 |34 | 9 | 4 | 3 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|2 appearances in the 2024 League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Playoffs; 2 appearances, 3 goals in the Leinster Senior Cup}} | 3 | 42 | 15 | |||
| Drogheda United
|2025 |14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup; 2 appearances, 3 goals in the Leinster Senior Cup}} | 3 | 17 | 5 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career Total
!141 | 35 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 165 | 46 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
=Club=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.extratime.com/player/11129159/thomas_oluwa/ Thomas Oluwa Extratime.com Profile]
{{Drogheda United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oluwa, Thomas}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Crumlin United F.C. players
Category:Shamrock Rovers F.C. players
Category:Bohemian F.C. players
Category:Galway United F.C. players
Category:Athlone Town A.F.C. players
Category:Waterford F.C. players
Category:Drogheda United F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:NIFL Premiership players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Association footballers from County Dublin
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers