Lanre Oyebanjo facts for kids

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Lanre Oyebanjo

Oyebanjo after playing for York City in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final
Personal information
Full name	Olanrewaju Olusegun Mark Bamidele Oyebanjo
Date of birth	(1990-04-27) 27 April 1990 (age 35)
Place of birth	Hackney, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Welling United
Youth career
2000–2006	West Ham United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Waltham Forest	20	(0)
2007–2008	Brentford	0	(0)
2008–2011	Histon	105	(3)
2011–2014	York City	92	(2)
2014–2016	Crawley Town	38	(0)
2016–2017	York City	4	(0)
2019	Welling United	1	(0)
International career
2008–2009	Republic of Ireland U19	9	(0)
2009–2011	Republic of Ireland U21	6	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Olanrewaju Olusegun Mark Bamidele "Lanre" Oyebanjo (born 27 April 1990) is a professional footballer. He played as a defender for many clubs. His last team was Welling United.

Lanre also played in the Football League for teams like York City and Crawley Town. He started his football journey in the youth system at West Ham United. After leaving West Ham, he joined Waltham Forest in 2006.

In 2007, he moved to Brentford. Then, in 2008, he joined Histon in the Conference Premier. He helped Histon reach the play-off semi-finals in his first year.

Later, he moved to York City in 2011. He scored a goal in York's win in the 2012 FA Trophy Final. He also played in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final, which York won to get promoted. In 2014, he joined League One team Crawley Town. He returned to York in 2016 before leaving a year later.

Football Journey

Starting Out

Lanre Oyebanjo was born in Hackney, London. His father is Nigerian and his mother is Irish. He joined the West Ham United youth team when he was 10 years old. He was a ball boy for a first-team match in 2004.

West Ham released him when he was 16. He then started his senior career with Waltham Forest in 2006. He was also studying for his A-levels at the time. At 16, he was one of Waltham Forest's youngest players ever. He played 21 games for them in the 2006–07 season.

After that, he joined Brentford's youth system in 2007. He became part of Brentford's first team squad. He was a substitute in one match but did not play any games for Brentford in the 2007–08 season.

Playing for Histon

In July 2008, Oyebanjo signed a short contract with Histon. This club played in the Conference Premier. He made his first appearance for Histon on 12 August 2008. He came on as a substitute in a game against Mansfield Town.

He started the next match, a 1–1 draw against York City. Later that month, he signed a new two-year contract with Histon. He became a regular player and was named the Conference Premier Player of the Month in October 2008.

His first goal for Histon was a winning goal against Woking on 6 December 2008. He played in all five of Histon's FA Cup matches that season. The team reached the third round of the FA Cup for the first time. They lost 2–1 to Swansea City.

Oyebanjo played in both of Histon's play-off games against Torquay United in May 2009. Histon lost these games 2–1 overall. In his first season with Histon, he played 49 games and scored one goal.

He started the 2009–10 season well. However, he got a knee injury in August 2009 and needed surgery. He returned to the team in October. In October 2009, he had a trial with Peterborough United. Histon's chairman thought he would leave for a Football League club.

He stayed with Histon, but his manager said his agent was causing him to lose form. He also had a hamstring injury in February 2010. He finished that season with 29 appearances and one goal.

In the summer of 2010, his contract with Histon ended. He trained with League Two team Wycombe Wanderers. But he decided to stay with Histon because he started a university course. He scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season with a free kick against Eastbourne Borough.

Another hamstring injury kept him out for over four weeks. He returned in October 2010. He helped his team score an equalizing goal. His manager praised his performance. He finished the season with 40 games and two goals. Histon offered him a new contract in May 2011.

Time at York City

Oyebanjo playing for York City in 2011

Lanre Oyebanjo decided not to sign a new contract with Histon. Instead, he joined York City in the Conference Premier on 25 June 2011. He signed a two-year contract. He made his first appearance for York on 13 August 2011. York won that game 2–1 against Ebbsfleet. He helped set up York's winning goal.

He got a hamstring injury in September 2011. He returned to the team in October. He scored his first goal for York City on 3 March 2012. It was the first goal in a 2–0 win against Hayes & Yeading United.

He got an ankle injury in March 2012 while playing in central midfield. He returned to play in the play-off semi-final against Mansfield Town. York won that game and went to the final.

Oyebanjo scored the second goal in the 2012 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. York won the match 2–0 against Newport County. He also started the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final against Luton Town at Wembley. York won that match 2–1. This win meant York was promoted to League Two. It was their return to the Football League after eight years. He played 27 games and scored three goals in his first season at York.

He played 32 games in the 2012–13 season. He signed a new one-year contract with York in May 2013. In the 2013–14 season, he played 46 games. York reached the play-off semi-final. Oyebanjo was voted Clubman of the Year by the club's fans.

Later Career

Oyebanjo turned down a new contract with York. He signed a two-year contract with Crawley Town on 4 June 2014. Crawley Town was in League One at the time. He played 36 games for Crawley. The team was relegated to League Two that season.

Crawley Town decided not to extend his contract in 2016. He had only played seven games in the 2015–16 season. So, he was released from the club.

Oyebanjo playing for York City in 2017

On 22 July 2016, Oyebanjo re-signed with York City. York had just been relegated to the National League. He signed a one-year contract. He was released again at the end of the 2016–17 season.

In February 2019, Oyebanjo signed for Welling United. This club plays in the National League South. He joined them after recovering from an injury that kept him out for 18 months. He made his debut on 2 March 2019. He came on as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against St Albans City.

Playing for His Country

Lanre Oyebanjo played for the Republic of Ireland under-19 team. He made his first appearance on 18 August 2008 against Portugal. He played in three 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification matches in November 2008. He also played in three 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite qualification matches in June 2009. He was the captain when Ireland beat Sweden 2–1. He finished his under-19 career with nine games played. In August 2010, he was named the FAI Under-19 International Player of the Year.

He made his under-21 debut on 14 November 2009. He came on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Georgia. Three days later, he started a game against Armenia. He also played in a 5–0 win against Estonia in August 2010. He played six games for the Republic of Ireland under-21 team.

How He Plays

Oyebanjo usually plays as a right back. But he can also play as a centre back.

Life Outside Football

Lanre Oyebanjo studied at City, University of London. He earned a degree in Mathematics & Finance. As of 2017, he was working as a financial planner.

Career Statistics

Awards and Achievements

York City

• FA Trophy: 2011–12
• Conference Premier play-offs: 2012

Individual Awards

• York City Clubman of the Year: 2013–14