| Tunji Akinola | |
| Fullname: | Olatunji Oluwasehun Akinola |
| Birth Date: | 1998 11, df=y |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Woking |
| Clubnumber: | 16 |
| Youthyears1: | –2006 |
| Youthclubs1: | Brimsdown Rovers |
| Youthyears2: | 2006–2020 |
| Youthclubs2: | West Ham United |
| Years1: | 2020–2021 |
| Years2: | 2020–2021 |
| Years3: | 2021–2023 |
| Years4: | 2023– |
| Clubs1: | West Ham United |
| Clubs2: | → Leyton Orient (loan) |
| Clubs3: | Partick Thistle |
| Clubs4: | Woking |
| Caps1: | 0 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Caps2: | 33 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Caps3: | 34 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Caps4: | 50 |
| Goals4: | 5 |
| Club-Update: | 20:04, 1 December 2024 (UTC) |
Olatunji Oluwasehun Akinola (born 21 November 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for side Woking.
Akinola first played for Brimsdown Rovers in north London, at around aged seven or eight, before joining West Ham United as a nine-year old.[1]
Akinola was promoted to the under-18 squad at the age of 15, made over 50 appearances at under-23 level and who made his maiden first-team appearance in a pre-season win over Wycombe Wanderers in August 2020. He played in the EFL Trophy against Colchester United in September 2020.[2] His departure from West Ham at the end of June 2021 was announced on 4 June 2021.[3]
Akinola signed for Leyton Orient on loan from West Ham United in October 2020.[4] He made his debut against Barrow on 10 October 2020.[5]
In August 2021, Akinola signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle.[6] Akinola scored the first professional goal of his career, opening the scoring as Thistle won 2–0 away to Stranraer in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[7]
Akinola signed a one-year contract extension with Thistle in January 2022.[8] On 25 January 2023, Akinola left Thistle by mutual consent.[9]
In July 2023, following a successful trial period, Akinola joined Woking.[10]
During his time at the club, West Ham described Akinola as "tall and composed" and a "ball-playing" centre-back.[2]
Akinola is of Nigerian descent.[11]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| West Ham United U21 | 2020–21 | – | 2[12] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| West Ham United | 2020–21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Leyton Orient (loan) | 2020–21 | League Two | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| Partick Thistle | 2021–22 | Scottish Championship | 28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[13] | 1 | 34 | 1 | |
| 2022–23 | Scottish Championship | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[14] | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 45 | 1 | |||
| Woking | 2023–24 | National League | 33 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 37 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25 | National League | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |||
| Total | 50 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 59 | 5 | |||
| Career total | 115 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 138 | 6 | |||