Gbenga Arokoyo | |
Birth Date: | 1 November 1992 |
Birth Place: | Kabba, Nigeria |
Position: | Defender |
Currentclub: | Umeå FC |
Clubnumber: | 5 |
Youthclubs1: | Davish Athletic FC |
Youthclubs2: | Kwara Football Academy |
Years1: | 2010–2012 |
Years2: | 2012–2014 |
Clubs2: | Mjällby AIF |
Caps2: | 48 |
Goals2: | 1 |
Years3: | 2014–2016 |
Clubs3: | Gaziantepspor |
Caps3: | 35 |
Goals3: | 1 |
Years4: | 2016–2017 |
Clubs4: | Portland Timbers |
Caps4: | 1 |
Goals4: | 0 |
Years5: | 2016 |
Clubs5: | → Portland Timbers 2 (loan) |
Caps5: | 1 |
Goals5: | 0 |
Years6: | 2018–2020 |
Clubs6: | Kalmar FF |
Caps6: | 11 |
Goals6: | 1 |
Years7: | 2021– |
Clubs7: | Umeå FC |
Caps7: | 21 |
Goals7: | 1 |
Nationalteam1: | Nigeria U20 |
Nationalyears2: | 2016– |
Nationalteam2: | Nigeria |
Nationalcaps2: | 2 |
Nationalgoals2: | 0 |
Club-Update: | 3 April 2022 |
Gbenga Arokoyo (born 1 November 1992) Was a Nigerian footballer who recently played for Swedish club Umeå FC as a defender.
Arokoyo was signed by Kwara United from Kwara Football Academy in 2010. During his time at the club he was selected for the Nigeria national under-20 football team.[1] In early 2012 a delegation from Swedish club Mjällby AIF travelled to see him on location in Nigeria and in February they officially signed him.[2] In April 2013 an Allsvenskan game against Djurgårdens IF was suspended after Arokoyo got hit by a pear thrown by a Djurgården supporter.[3]
On 2 August 2016, Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer announced that they had signed Arokoyo.[4] He played in one game for the Timbers and one game for their second team, Portland Timbers 2, in 2016. During training before the 2017 season, he suffered an Achilles tendon tear, missing the subsequent season.[5]
On 13 December 2017, Arokoyo was traded along with Darlington Nagbe to Atlanta United FC.[6]
On 15 February 2021, Arokoyo signed with Umeå FC in the Swedish third-tier Ettan.[7]
On March 8 2024 Arokoyo announced his retirement via Instagram.
In his youth Arokoyo wanted to become a doctor but since his family could not afford to pay for the education he instead chose to become a professional footballer.[8]