Andrew Omobamidele Explained

Andrew Abiola Omobamidele (born 23 June 2002) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Early life

Omobamidele was born in Leixlip, County Kildare, to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father.^[3] As a youth, he played for the Dublin District Schoolboys League representative side alongside fellow future Irish international Gavin Bazunu.^[3]

Club career

Norwich

On 23 December 2020, Omobamidele signed a new professional contract with Norwich City.^[4]

He made his debut for Norwich on 16 January 2021 as a substitute in a 2–1 Championship league win against Cardiff City.^[5] Omobamidele's first start for Norwich was on in a 1–1 draw to Preston North End on 2 April 2021, when he played the full 90 minutes and was awarded Man of the Match.^[6] On 11 September 2021, he made his Premier League debut, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.^[7] On 31 October 2021, Omobamidele scored his first Premier League goal, which was also his first goal in senior football, heading home the equaliser from a corner in an eventual 2–1 loss to Leeds United at Carrow Road.^[8]

Nottingham Forest

On 1 September 2023, Omobamidele signed with Premier League club Nottingham Forest until 2028,^[9] for a fee reported to be £11 million.^{[10] [11] [12] [13]} He scored a debut goal for Forest in an FA Cup 3rd round replay against Blackpool, which Forest won 3-2 after extra time.^[14] He made his league debut for Forest on 20 January 2024, in a 3-2 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

International career

On 24 May 2021, Omobamidele received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the summer friendlies against Andorra and Hungary.^[15]

He made his international debut on 1 September 2021, as a 36th minute substitute for the injured Dara O'Shea in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Portugal at the Estádio Algarve in Faro.^{[16] [17]}

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Norwich City U23	2019–20	—			—		—		2	0	2	0
	2020–21	—			—		—		3	0	3	0
	Total		—		—		—		5	0	5	0
Norwich City	2020–21	Championship	9	0	0	0	0	0	—		9	0
	2021–22	Premier League	5	1	0	0	2	0	—		7	1
	2022–23	Championship	34	1	1	0	0	0	—		35	1
	2023–24	Championship	2	0	—		2	0	—		4	0
	Total		50	2	1	0	4	0	2	0	57	2
Nottingham Forest	2023–24	Premier League	11	0	3	1	—		—		14	1
	2024–25	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	—		1	0
	Total		11	0	3	1	1	0	—		15	1
Career total			61	2	4	1	5	0	5	0	77	3

International

^[18]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Republic of Ireland	2021	5	0
	2023	2	0
	2024	3	0
Total		10	0

Honours

Norwich City

• EFL Championship

2020–21

External links

• Profile at the Nottingham Forest F.C. websit

Notes and References

1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Norwich City . English Football League . 47 . 3 December 2020.
2. Web site: Andrew Omobamidele . Premier League . 6 March 2024.
3. Web site: Rio Ferdinand comparisons swirl around Andrew Omobamidele. 27 May 2021. 7 September 2021. Cummiskey. Gavin. The Irish Times.
4. Web site: Andrew Omobamidele signs new contract with the Canaries. www.canaries.co.uk.
5. News: Cardiff City 1 2 Norwich City. BBC Sport . 16 January 2021.
6. Web site: Making his debut at the age of 18 and fully deserving of today's Man of the Match award. (02.04.21). twitter.com.
7. Web site: Omobamidele's Premier League debut ends in defeat. 11 September 2021. rte.ie.
8. Web site: Andrew Omobamidele nets 'bittersweet' first Norwich City goal in loss to Leeds United. Jon. West. 31 October 2021. Irish Examiner.
9. Web site: Forest complete signing of Andrew Omobamidele . Nottingham Forest . 1 September 2023 .
10. Web site: Nottingham Forest transfer news: Steve Cooper's side bolstered by seven-player shopping spree on deadline day. Sky Sports.
11. Web site: Nottingham Forest confirm signing of defender Omobamidele. Sarah. Clapson. 2 September 2023. NottinghamshireLive.
12. Web site: Sangare, Origi, Hudson-Odoi and five more signings arrive in Forest's latest transfer spree. Paul. Taylor. The Athletic.
13. Web site: WOW! Forest complete SEVEN senior signings on transfer deadline day . Tribal Football . 1 September 2023 .
14. Web site: Maupay floors Nottingham Forest after Ivan Toney scores on Brentford return. The Guardian. Aarons. Ed. 20 January 2024. 20 January 2024.
15. Web site: Kenny names 27-man squad for Andorra & Hungary Football Association of Ireland. 2021-08-12. www.fai.ie.
16. Web site: Portugal 2 Republic of Ireland 1. 1 September 2021. BBC Sport. 2 September 2021.
17. Web site: 2002-Born Defender Of Nigerian Descent Makes Senior Debut For Norwich City :: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal. www.allnigeriasoccer.com.
18. Web site: Andrew Omobamidele . www.soccerbase.com. 25 August 2021.