Waterford sign former Arsenal midfielder James Olayinka

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Credit: Waterford FC

Among several announcements ahead of the 2025 season, the introduction of 24-year-old Arsenal graduate James Olayinka to Keith Long's Waterford side may be the pick of the bunch.

After climbing through the academy ranks and signing his first professional contract with Arsenal at the beginning of 2019, Olayinka’s impressive performances with their under-23 side earned him a plane ticket for the club's USA pre-season trip later that summer. 

While there, he bagged his first senior goal for the Gunners with a memorable strike in their 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids at DSG Park. 

The Londoner was named on the Arsenal bench for their FA Community Shield victory over Liverpool at Wembley in 2020, before a loan deal was agreed in Northampton Town where he helped the Cobblers earn promotion to League One through the play-offs. 

The following year, the midfielder made the loan switch to Southend United where he made 20 appearances in League Two for the Shrimpers. 

A permanent move to Cheltenham Town followed in 2022, where he made 38 appearances in League One for the club over the course of two seasons, before his latest move across to the League of Ireland. 

“James gives us a slightly different profile in the middle of the park,” Long said. 

“He’s a player that has been training with Fleetwood for the last month – He’s someone we’ve looked at since the summer, and obviously coming in now gives us a different option in our midfield.

“He’s dynamic, he looks after the ball really well, he can get around the pitch very well, and of course he came up through Arsenal’s academy which is such a high-calibre academy where so many big names have come out of. 

“He’s been in Fleetwood getting his fitness for the last month to be ready to come in with us in January when we start pre-season.



“I think the players and supporters will really be excited with what he can bring to the team. So, we’re delighted to have him in at the club.”

About Rory Merriman

Rory Merriman is a St. Patrick’s Athletic fan who studied journalism in TU Dublin and has written for numerous publications both online and print. He joined the extratime.com team in 2023. View Full Profile