Fred Onyedinma Explained

Fred Onyedinma
Full Name:Wilfred Oluwafemi Onyedinma
Birth Date:24 November 1996
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Height:1.85 m[1]
Position:Wing-back, midfielder, winger
Currentclub:Wycombe Wanderers
Clubnumber:44
Youthyears1:2008–2014
Youthclubs1:Millwall
Years1:2014–2019
Clubs1:Millwall
Caps1:120
Goals1:8
Years2:2014–2015
Clubs2:Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Caps2:25
Goals2:8
Years3:2018–2019
Clubs3:Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Caps3:21
Goals3:4
Years4:2019–2021
Clubs4:Wycombe Wanderers
Caps4:56
Goals4:7
Years5:2021–2024
Clubs5:Luton Town
Caps5:54
Goals5:3
Years6:2023–2024
Clubs6:Rotherham United (loan)
Caps6:17
Goals6:2
Years7:2024–
Clubs7:Wycombe Wanderers
Caps7:10
Goals7:5
Club-Update:22:30, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

Wilfred Oluwafemi Onyedinma (born 24 November 1996) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for EFL League One side Wycombe Wanderers in his fourth spell with the club.[2] A versatile player, he can be deployed as a wing-back, defensive midfielder, wide midfielder or winger.

Early life

Onyedinma was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and his parents moved the family to England, along with his brother and two sisters, when Fred was aged three.[3] He grew up in Greenwich, Plumstead and Woolwich, and attended Corelli College in Kidbrooke.[4] He played local football, representing the Blackheath district as a youngster alongside Alex Iwobi, Joe Gomez and Kasey Palmer, before he was spotted by Millwall scout and former player Andy Massey, and subsequently signed for the club at the age of 12.[3]

Career

Early career

Onyedinma made his senior debut for Millwall on 4 January 2014 in the FA Cup against Southend United. He came on as a 62nd-minute substitute for Richard Chaplow as Millwall lost 4–1.[5] He later made his full debut against Charlton Athletic and was named man of the match.

Wycombe Wanderers

On 27 November 2014, Onyedinma joined League Two outfit Wycombe Wanderers on a loan deal, lasting until January 2015.[6] On 31 December 2014, his loan spell at Wycombe was extended to the end of the 2014–15 season as part of the Paris Cowan-Hall transfer deal.[7]

On 30 August 2018, Onyedinma rejoined Wycombe Wanderers – this time in League One – on loan until 1 January 2019.[8] After returning to Millwall in January 2019 for the remainder of the season, Onyedinma found first-team opportunities hard to come by despite praise for his performances in training from manager Neil Harris.[9]

On 30 July 2019, it was confirmed that Onyedinma would be returning to Wycombe for a third stint, this time on a permanent three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[10]

On 6 July 2020, Onyedinma scored twice in the second leg of Wycombe's League One play-off semi-final match against Fleetwood Town to secure a 2–2 draw and a 6–3 win on aggregate.[11] In the final against Oxford United on 13 July, Onyedinma won the penalty that led to Wycombe's match-winning goal, securing promotion to the Championship for the first time in the club's history.[12]

Luton Town

Onyedinma signed for Luton Town for an undisclosed fee on 25 May 2021.[13] He scored and assisted a further two goals on his debut for the club, a 3–0 victory over Peterborough on 7 August 2021.[14]

On 28 July 2023, Onyedinma joined Rotherham United on a season-long loan.[15] On 24 May 2024, Luton announced he would be leaving in the summer when his contract expired,[16]

Return to Wycombe Wanderers

On 10 September 2024, Onyedinma signed for Wycombe Wanderers, beginning his fourth separate stint with the club.[2]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Millwall2013–14Championship40100050
2014–15Championship20002040
2015–16League One344201060434
2016–17League One423602142546
2017–18Championship3713120422
2018–19Championship102030
Total12081219110215112
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2014–15League Two25820278
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2018–19League One2141020244
Wycombe Wanderers2019–20League One1341032176
2020–21Championship4332210465
Total5672220326311
Luton Town2021–22Championship2932000313
2022–23Championship170200020210
2023–24Premier League80000080
Total543400020603
Rotherham United (loan)2023–24Championship1720020192
Career total2933219313119434440

Honours

Millwall

2017[17]

Wycombe Wanderers

Luton Town

2023[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fred Onyedinma . 11v11 . 1 December 2015.
  2. Web site: 10 September 2024 . Fred Onyedinma is BACK! . 10 September 2024 . Wycombe Wanderers.
  3. Web site: Tottenham vs Millwall: Fred Onyedinma a part of Neil Harris' new local generation adding a feel-good factor to The Den . Independent . 10 March 2017. 11 May 2017.
  4. Web site: Running Games. . 28 April 2016. 11 May 2017.
  5. Web site: Southend United vs. Millwall 4 - 1. Soccerway. 21 February 2014.
  6. Web site: Millwall striker Fred Onyedinma joins Wycombe on loan . BBC Sport . 27 November 2014.
  7. Web site: Paris Cowan-Hall: Millwall to sign Wycombe Wanderers winger. 31 December 2014. BBC Sport.
  8. Web site: Former loan star Fred returns to Adams Park!. Wycombe Wanderers. 30 August 2018. 20 October 2018.
  9. Web site: Millwall boss Neil Harris opens up on player futures. 7 January 2019. Football.London.
  10. Web site: Fred returns. 30 July 2019. Wycombe Wanderers.
  11. Web site: Wycombe 2–2 Fleetwood (6–3 agg): Chairboys reach League One play-off final. Sky Sports. 6 July 2020. 7 July 2020.
  12. News: Oxford United 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers . Adam . Williams . BBC Sport . 13 July 2020 . 14 July 2020.
  13. Web site: Fred Onyedinma joins the Hatters from Wycombe!. Luton Town F.C.. 25 May 2021. 7 August 2021.
  14. Web site: Luton Town 3–0 Peterborough United. Luton Town F.C.. 7 August 2021. 7 August 2021.
  15. News: Rotherham sign Luton winger Onyedinma on loan . BBC Sport . 28 July 2023.
  16. Web site: Luton Town Retained and Released list 2024 . 24 May 2024 . www.lutontown.co.uk.
  17. News: Bradford City 0–1 Millwall . Josh . Hunt . BBC Sport . 20 May 2017 . 27 May 2018.
  18. News: Luton win shootout to reach Premier League . BBC Sport . 27 May 2023.