Gboly Ariyibi

Gboly Ariyibi

Personal information
Full name	Omogbolahan Gregory Ariyibi[1]
Date of birth	January 18, 1995
Place of birth	Arlington County, Virginia, United States[2]
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current team	Chesterfield
Number	28
Youth career
2005–2013	Southampton
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2013–2014	Leeds United	2	(0)
2014	→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)	2	(0)
2014–	Chesterfield	53	(3)
National team^‡
2014	United States U20	1	(0)
2015–	United States U23	4	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 April 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of October 7, 2015

Omogbolahan Gregory "Gboly" Ariyibi (born January 18, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays for English club Chesterfield as a winger.

Club career

Born in Arlington County, Virginia in the United States,^[2] Ariyibi started his youth career at English club Southampton in 2005 after being spotted playing for Oxford youth side Quarry Rovers.^[3] He came through the youth ranks with future first team regulars Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse.^[4] Ariyibi progressed through to the Under 21's team. He was named as one of Southampton's home-grown Under 21 players for the 2012–13 season in the official squad list.^[5]

After being released by Southampton, with Mauricio Pochettino deciding against offering Ariyibi a permanent contract,^[6] Ariyibi joined several league clubs on trial including Bolton Wanderers.^[7] He also joined UK Football Finder FC to help in enlisting a club.^[8]

Leeds United

In December 11, 2013, Ariyibi signed for Leeds United until the end of the season after a short trial spell.^[9][10] Upon signing for Leeds, manager Brian McDermott described Ariybi as an exciting player, very, very quick. He’s a great lad too.^[11] He was given squad number 27 and on Boxing Day 2013 he was named as an unused substitute against Blackpool.^[12][13]

On December 29, 2013, Ariybi made his Leeds debut coming on as a second half substitute against Nottingham Forest.^[14] On March 25, 2014, Ariyibi joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until the end of the season.^[15]

On May 16, 2014, Ariyibi was released by Leeds United.^[16]

Chesterfield

On August 29, 2014, Ariyibi joined Football League One side Chesterfield on a 12-month contract after turning down a deal at Premier League club Burnley.^[17][18]

International career

Ariyibi was born in the USA but is also eligible to play for Nigeria through heritage and England through upbringing.^[19] In 2013, Ariybi stated that he wanted to break into the USA youth setup.^[20]

Career statistics

As of match played 23 January 2016.

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Leeds United	2013–14[21]	Championship	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Tranmere Rovers (loan)	2013–14[21]	League One	2	0	–		–		0	0	2	0
Chesterfield	2014–15	League One	17	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	19	1
	2015–16		20	0	2	1	1	0	0	0	23	1
	Total		37	1	2	1	1	0	2	0	42	2
Career total			41	1	2	1	1	0	2	0	46	2

References

1. "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/12/2013 and 31/12/2013" (PDF). The Football League. January 2014. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
2. http://www.ussoccer.com/players/2015/08/28/10/03/gboly-ariyibi
3. "Saints U18s 4–2 Man Utd U18s: Report". Southampton FC Official Site. February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
4. "£4m-rated Shaw on show at Sholing?". Daily Echo. July 10, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
5. "Premier League roll call 2012–2013: Every top flight player from the official squad lists". Daily Mail. September 5, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
6. "2012/13 Released List". Southampton FC Official Site. June 4, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
7. "Leeds United sign ex-Saints trainee Ariyibi". Yorkshire Evening Post. December 12, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
8. "UKFF's Ariyibi Signs Pro Contract With Leeds Utd". UK Football Finder Football Club. December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
9. "Leeds United: Gboly Ariyibi signs short-term contract". BBC Sport. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
10. "Leeds sign Gboly Ariyibi on a short-term deal". Sky Sports. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
11. "New Leeds short-term signing in training today". Yorkshire Evening Post. December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
12. "Lee Peltier goal seals away point for United...". Leeds United A.F.C. December 26, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
13. "Brian McDermott on Alex Mowatt and Gboly Ariyibi". Leeds United A.F.C. December 28, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
14. "LATE GOAL STUNS UNITED: United hit by Derbyshire stunner...". Leeds United Official Website. December 29, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
15. "Leeds United: Gboly Ariyibi joins Tranmere Rovers on loan". BBC Sport. March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
16. "SEVEN RELEASED BY UNITED". Leeds United AFC. May 16, 2014.
17. Gboly Ariyibi: Ex-Leeds winger joins Chesterfield
18. Winger Joins Spireites
19. "Ex-Quarry youngster making his mark at Leeds". Oxford Mail. January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
20. "95 Yank looking for success in England". O When The Yanks. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
21. "Games played by Gboly Ariyibi in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved January 3, 2014.

External links

• Gboly Ariyibi career statistics at Soccerbase