| Josh Popoola | |
| Full Name: | Joshua Oluwagbeminija Popoola[1] |
| Birth Date: | 7 May 2004 |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Buxton |
| Youthclubs1: | Watford |
| Years1: | 2022 |
| Clubs1: | Hitchin Town |
| Caps1: | 6 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2022–2023 |
| Clubs2: | AFC Bournemouth |
| Caps2: | 0 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2022 |
| Clubs3: | → Cheshunt (loan) |
| Caps3: | 6 |
| Goals3: | 2 |
| Years4: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs4: | Stockport County |
| Caps4: | 0 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2023 |
| Clubs5: | → Spennymoor Town (loan) |
| Caps5: | 3 |
| Goals5: | 1 |
| Years6: | 2023 |
| Clubs6: | → Chorley (loan) |
| Caps6: | 3 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Years7: | 2023 |
| Clubs7: | → Warrington Town (loan) |
| Caps7: | 4 |
| Goals7: | 0 |
| Years8: | 2024 |
| Clubs8: | Hitchin Town |
| Caps8: | 5 |
| Goals8: | 3 |
| Years9: | 2024 |
| Clubs9: | Tonbridge Angels |
| Caps9: | 6 |
| Goals9: | 0 |
| Years10: | 2024– |
| Clubs10: | Buxton |
| Caps10: | 8 |
| Goals10: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 11:23, 14 September 2024 (UTC) |
Joshua Oluwagbeminija Popoola (born 7 May 2004) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for club Buxton.
During his early career, Popoola spent seven years with the Watford academy. Following his release he joined the Pro:Direct Academy. In February 2022, he joined Southern League Premier Division Central club Hitchin Town.[2]
Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Popoola joined AFC Bournemouth, signing a first professional contract having impressed on trial.[3] In February 2023, he joined National League South club Cheshunt on a one-month loan deal.[4] He was released by Bournemouth at the end of the season.[5]
On 31 July 2023, he joined League Two club Stockport County.[6] On 22 August 2023, he made his first-team senior debut for the club in a 1–1 EFL Trophy draw with Manchester United U21.[7] In September 2023, he joined National League North club Spennymoor Town on a one-month loan deal.[8] Following his return, he joined Chorley on loan until January 2024.[9] He was recalled on 30 November[10] and subsequently joined Warrington Town on a month-long loan.[11]
In January 2024, Popoola returned to Hitchin Town on a permanent basis.[12] In March, he joined National League South side Tonbridge Angels on a short-term contract until the end of the season.[13]
On 9 June 2024, Popoola joined National League North side Buxton.[14]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Hitchin Town | 2021–22[15] | SFL Premier Division Central | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| AFC Bournemouth | 2022–23 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cheshunt (loan) | 2022–23 | National League South | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||
| Stockport County | 2023–24 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Spennymoor Town (loan) | 2023–24 | National League North | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | ||
| Chorley (loan) | 2023–24 | National League North | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Warrington Town (loan) | 2023–24 | National League North | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Hitchin Town | 2023–24 | SFL Premier Division Central | 5 | 3 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | |||
| Tonbridge Angels | 2023–24 | National League South | 6 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 33 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 7 | |||
Following his release from Watford, Popoola worked as both a kitchen porter and a waiter at Twickenham Stadium.[16]