| Tola Showunmi | |
| Fullname: | Adetola Showunmi |
| Birth Date: | 3 July 2000 |
| Birth Place: | Enfield, London, England |
| Height: | 6ft 3in[1] |
| Position: | Forward |
| Currentclub: | Crawley Town |
| Clubnumber: | 29 |
| Youthyears1: | 2014–2016 |
| Youthclubs1: | Boreham Wood |
| Youthyears2: | 2016–2017 |
| Youthclubs2: | Cheshunt |
| Collegeyears1: | 2018–2019 |
| College1: | Merrimack Warriors |
| Collegecaps1: | 35 |
| Collegegoals1: | 13 |
| Collegeyears2: | 2020–2022 |
| College2: | New Hampshire Wildcats |
| Collegecaps2: | 41 |
| Collegegoals2: | 14 |
| Years1: | 2017–2018 |
| Clubs1: | Cheshunt |
| Caps1: | 8 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2023 |
| Clubs2: | Pittsburgh Riverhounds |
| Caps2: | 28 |
| Goals2: | 4 |
| Years3: | 2024 |
| Clubs3: | Louisville City |
| Caps3: | 10 |
| Goals3: | 2 |
| Years4: | 2024– |
| Clubs4: | Crawley Town |
| Caps4: | 0 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 15 August 2024 |
Tola Showunmi (born 3 July 2000) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for team Crawley Town.
Showunmi played as a youth player with Boreham Wood[2] and Cheshunt,[3] the latter of which he made eight senior league appearances for in 2017 in both the Ryman League Division One North and the Isthmian League.[4] [5] [6]
In 2018, Showumni moved to the United States to play college soccer at Merrimack College. In two seasons with the Warriors, Showumni made 35 appearances, netted 13 goals and received Northeast Conference first team all-conference honours in 2019.[7] In 2020, he transferred to the University of New Hampshire, where he went on to make 41 appearances, scoring 14 goals and tallying six assists.[8] With the Wildcats, Showumni was voted to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team and claimed the America East Conference Striker of the Year in 2021. He also earned America East All-Conference First Team honors in 2021, and Second Team honors in 2022.[9]
On 12 January 2022, Showumni was selected 88th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Atlanta United.[10] [11] [12] However, he went unsigned by the team and instead returned to New Hampshire to continue his time at college.
On 1 March 2023, Showumni signed with USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds ahead of their 2023 season.[13] [14] He made his professional debut on 11 March 2023, appearing as a 79th-minute substitute during a 1–1 draw with Birmingham Legion.[15] While gametime for Showunmi wasn't guaranteed as strikers like Albert Dikwa, Edward Kizza, and Juan Carlos Obregón often started under manager Bob Lilley, Showunmi was able to register 4 goals in 28 games.[16] Showunmi came off of the bench in a game against Memphis 901, assisting one of Albert Dikwa's goals after a well-timed through-ball.[17] He got his first start in the 0–0 draw against FC Tulsa, playing off the left wing alongside Tony López centrally and Burke Fahling on the right. Showunmi was substituted off in the 67' minute for DZ Harmon.[18] [19] Showunmi also contributed in the U.S. Open Cup, assisting Edward Kizza's opener against the Maryland Bobcats before getting substituted for Arturo Ordoñez.[20] Showunmi started for the Riverhounds against the New England Revolution in the 1–0 win, creating multiple chances and having a few shots on target to help secure the upset and send the Riverhounds into the next round of the Open Cup.[21] The Riverhounds would also go on to defeat the Columbus Crew at Highmark Stadium, with Showunmi starting along with the goalscorer, Albert Dikwa. Showunmi was able to help the Riverhounds secure a huge upset win against the Crew.[22] [23] The miraculous run in the Open Cup came to an end against FC Cincinnati, though Showunmi was able to notch a goal against Cincinnati, making a tackle against an FC Cincinnati defender and sliding it by Alec Kann.[24]
Back in the USL Championship, Showunmi scored against the Charleston Battery to put the Riverhounds atop of the Championship table after receiving a through-ball by Luke Biasi. Showunmi then dribbled around Trey Muse and scored into the open net.[25] [26] Showunmi scored a notable goal two games later against the San Diego Loyal. After going 1–0 down, Showunmi received a cross from Marc Ybarra. Showunmi was able to pull the ball back and backheel it into the goal, beating Koke Vegas. This goal would later get nominated for USL Championship Goal of the Season. Illal Osumanu's goal also finished off the comeback later on in the game.[27] [28] Showunmi also netted a consolation goal in the 3–1 loss to Indy Eleven.[29] Showunmi would also net the fourth goal in the Riverhounds' comeback win over Memphis 901. Showunmi received a through-ball from Ybarra, and, after turning away from Memphis defender Jelani Peters, picked out the bottom left corner.[30] [31] Showunmi picked up an assist in the next game for the Riverhounds, assisting Albert Dikwa's opener vs. the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Showunmi received a pass from Ordonez, drawing in defenders and creating space for Dikwa, who he then played a pass to. This was his third goal contribution in his past three games.[32] In the reverse-fixture against the Rowdies, Showunmi would also make a tremendous impact. After coming on for Nathan Dossantos. After receiving a pass from Kenardo Forbes, Showunmi would dribble into the box and drive a low-cross across goal for Arturo Ordonez to flick into the back of the net, beating goalkeeper, Connor Sparrow. This goal would clinch the Riverhounds the 2023 USL Championship Players' Shield.[33] [34] Showunmi described the assist as "unreal."[35] The Riverhounds would end up losing to Detroit City in the quarterfinals of the USL Championship playoffs.[36]
Showunmi joined Louisville City on 15 December 2023 for the 2024 season.[37] He made his Louisville debut in the season opener against El Paso, coming on as a substitute for the goalscorer, Wilson Harris.[38] He made ten appearances during the season while scoring two goals. His first goal for the club was the final goal of Louisville's six goal victory over Hartford.[39] Showunmi was given his first and only Louisville start against his former club the Riverhounds in the 1–0 away win.[40] His second goal for the club came against Birmingham, getting the fourth goal over the 4–1 win after an outside of the box strike.[41] Showunmi played his final game for Lousville in the 1–0 loss to Oakland Roots.[42] He then picked up a minor injury, stopping him from playing any other games.[43]
On 15 August 2024, it was announced that Showunmi had signed for Crawley Town on an initial two-year contract.[44]