Gbenga Arokoyo Explained

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.

Career

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.

Personal life

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gbenga Arokoyo Sports Innovated . Sports Innovated. 25 March 2013.
  2. Web site: Kogi-born Gbenga Arokoyo Set to Join Swedish Club. Kogi Reports. 25 March 2013. https://archive.today/20130411052940/http://www.kogireports.com/kogi-born-gbenga-arokoyo-set-to-join-swedish-club. 2013-04-11. dead.
  3. Web site: Bröt matchen efter skandalscener . Aftonbladet. 11 April 2013.
  4. News: Portland Timbers sign Nigerian defender Gbenga Arokoyo. Goldberg. Jamie. 2016-08-02. Portland Oregonian (OregonLive.com). 2017-05-11. en-US.
  5. News: Portland Timbers defender Gbenga Arokoyo to miss 2017 due to Achilles tear. Stejskal. Sam. 2017-01-31. MLS Soccer. 2017-05-11.
  6. Web site: Timbers acquire up to $1.65 million in Allocation Money, 2018 international spot from Atlanta United FC in exchange for midfielder Darlington Nagbe, defender Gbenga Arokoyo . 13 December 2017 . Timbers . 24 August 2019 .
  7. Umeå FC. Gbenga Arokoya klar för Umeå FC. 15 February 2021. 6 April 2022. sv.
  8. Web site: Här är Afrika – där är Europa . https://archive.today/20130706110127/http://www.dn.se/sport/fotboll/har-ar-afrika--dar-ar-europa . dead . 6 July 2013 . . 11 April 2013 .