Deji Sotona Explained

Deji Sotona
Fullname:Ayodeji Sotona
Birth Date:7 December 2002
Birth Place:Waterford, Republic of Ireland
Height:1.79 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Eastleigh
Youthyears1:–2016
Youthclubs1:Mullingar Athletic
Youthyears2:2015–2016
Youthclubs2:Leixlip United
Youthyears3:2016–2020
Youthclubs3:Manchester United
Youthyears4:2020–2023
Youthclubs4:Nice
Youthyears5:2022
Youthclubs5:Brentford B (loan)
Youthyears6:2023
Youthclubs6:Burnley
Years1:2022–2023
Clubs1:Nice
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Kilmarnock (loan)
Caps2:2
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Burnley
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Doncaster Rovers
Caps4:6
Goals4:1
Years5:2023–2024
Clubs5:Boston United (loan)
Caps5:19
Goals5:2
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Eastleigh
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2017
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland U15
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2018
Nationalteam2:Republic of Ireland U16
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:17:34, 15 August 2024 (UTC)

Ayodeji Sotona (born 7 December 2002) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Eastleigh.

Club career

Early career

Sotona was born in Waterford, but moved to Mullingar as a child, where he joined local side Mullingar Athletic.[1] At a young age, he joined the Mullingar Harriers Athletic Club, picking up several provincial and national sprinting medals, including an All-Ireland bronze medal in 2013.[1] He then went on to play for Leixlip United.[2]

At the age of 13, he began attracting attention from English sides Manchester City and Manchester United, eventually signing with the latter.[3] While at Manchester United, Sotona was named as the club's fastest player, ahead of first team members Diogo Dalot, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James.[4] After four years with the club, in which he trained with the first team, he rejected the offer of a three-year extension to his contract, and left the club as a free agent in September 2020.[5]

Nice

After a phone call with Patrick Vieira, who was managing Nice at the time, Sotona decided to join the French side at the expiration of his contract with Manchester United.[6] Vieira had promised first-team football, but after he was sacked in December 2020, new manager Adrian Ursea assigned Sotona to the reserves.

With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the footballing schedule, he struggled for game time, and when a return to England with Brentford B presented itself in January 2022, Sotona took the opportunity, and joined on a six-month loan deal.[7] On 9 August 2022, Sotona signed for Scottish club Kilmarnock on a season-long loan.[8] He returned to Nice in January 2023.[9]

Burnley

On 30 January 2023, Sotona moved to Burnley, playing for their academy squad until the end of the season.[10]

Doncaster Rovers

On 14 July 2023, Sotana moved to Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer following his release from Burnley.[11]

On 24 November 2023, he joined National League North club Boston United on loan until 13 January 2024.[12] Following the expiration of the previous agreement, his loan was extended until the end of the season.[13] He was part of the Boston Utd squad that gained promotion to the National League via the play offs.

Following the completion of the season, Sotona returned to Doncaster where he was placed on the transfer list.[14]

Eastleigh

On 25 June 2024, Sotona joined National League side Eastleigh for an undisclosed fee.[15] On 10 August 2024, his debut for the Spitfires, he suffered an Anterior cruciate ligament injury that was expected to rule him out for the remainder of the season.[16]

International career

Sotona is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and England at international level.[1] He has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15 and under-16 level.[17] [18]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U232019–201010
Nice2020–21Ligue 100000000
2021–22Ligue 100000000
2022–23Ligue 100000000
Kilmarnock B (loan)2022–232121
Kilmarnock (loan)2022–23Scottish Premiership2000000020
Burnley2022–23EFL Championship0000000000
Doncaster Rovers2023–24EFL League One61002020101
Boston United (loan)2023–24National League North1920030222
Career total273002081374
Notes

Honours

Boston United

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Important summer ahead for Mullingar's Deji. Paul. Hughes. 30 July 2020. 28 May 2022. westmeathexaminer.ie.
  2. https://www.facebook.com/leixlipunitedafc/posts/how-about-that-former-hoops-player-deji-sotona-is-the-fastest-player-in-the-enti/2425608090987536/
  3. Web site: Deji Sotona on Manchester United, playing for Patrick Vieira and Brentford hopes. Jay. Harris. 18 February 2022. 28 May 2022. theathletic.com.
  4. Web site: Manchester United’s fastest player is 16-year-old Deji Sotona, a youth sprint champion who has been likened to Ryan Giggs. Billy. Hawkins. 6 September 2019. 28 May 2022. talksport.com.
  5. Web site: Deji Sotona leaves Manchester United after rejecting contract. Samuel. Luckhurst. 11 September 2020. 28 May 2022. manchestereveningnews.co.uk.
  6. Web site: An Irish Youngster Has Signed For Patrick Vieira's Nice. Gary. Connaughton. 2 October 2020. 28 May 2022. balls.ie.
  7. Web site: Deji Sotona joins Brentford B on loan. 31 January 2022. 28 May 2022. brentfordfc.com.
  8. Web site: DEJI SOTONA JOINS KILLIE ON LOAN. Kilmarnock FC. 9 August 2022. 9 August 2022.
  9. Web site: Kilmarnock confirm Deji Sotona is heading back to Nice after loan spell ends . 13 January 2023 . HeraldScotland .
  10. Web site: Burnley F.C.. TWEEDY ADDED TO ACADEMY RANKS. 30 January 2023. 3 February 2023.
  11. News: Doncaster bring in free agent forward Sotona . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-07-14.
  12. Web site: Deji Sotona departs on loan. www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 24 November 2023. 24 November 2023.
  13. Web site: Deji Sotona loan extended to end of season. www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 15 January 2024. 15 January 2024.
  14. Web site: Rovers confirm retained and released list. www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 15 May 2024. 25 June 2024.
  15. Web site: Deji Sotona Joins the Spitfires. eastleighfc.com. 25 June 2024. 25 June 2024.
  16. Web site: News: Deji Sotona suffers ACL injury. eastleighfc.com. 14 August 2024. 15 August 2024.
  17. Web site: Ireland U15s draw with Netherlands in friendly. 2 February 2017. 28 May 2022. fai.ie.
  18. Web site: Ireland U16: Osam names squad for Swedish tournament. 15 May 2018. 28 May 2022. fai.ie.
  19. News: Match Report: Brackley Town 1–2 Boston United . Boston United FC . 4 May 2024 . 5 May 2024.