Moses Odubajo

Early years

Born in Greenwich, London, Odubajo began his career at age 14 with local team Millwall, spending time with the club on trial, before leaving football behind following the death of his mother. He returned to Millwall following a break from the game, but failed to win a scholarship deal. Odubajo was recommend by the Lions to Leyton Orient and went on trial with the club, playing youth team matches. He was offered a scholarship by youth team manager Wayne Burnett, though the manager later changed his mind about the deal. Burnett left Orient in the summer of 2009 and Odubajo returned to the club, impressing new youth team manager Andy Edwards and finally winning a scholarship deal. He appeared for the youth team during the 2009–10 season, helping the team into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup. Odubajo received his first call up to the senior squad for a League One match versus Notts County on 18 September 2010. Awarded the number 26 shirt, he remained on the bench for the 3–2 defeat and was an unused substitute on another nine occasions during the 2010–11 season. Odubajo scored three goals in 23 appearances for the Orient youth team during the 2010–11 season and signed a one-year professional contract with the club on 29 April 2011.

Awarded the number 22 shirt, Odubajo was called into the first team squad for four of Orient's matches early in the 2011–12 season and made his professional debut in a Football League Trophy first round East London derby versus Dagenham & Redbridge on 7 September 2011. Beginning the match on the bench, Odubajo replaced Elliot Omozusi after 64 minutes in a match which resulted in a penalty shootout. He scored a penalty in the shootout, which Orient lost 14–13. Odubajo made his league debut as a 77th-minute substitute for Matthew Spring in a 3–1 defeat at home to Oldham Athletic on 17 September. He made four further appearances during the 2011–12 season and made his first start for the club in the final game of the campaign at home to Rochdale. In the match, he scored Orient's winner (his first senior goal), shooting from 25 yards in a 2–1 win. This strike earned him the club's Goal of the Season award. On 25 June 2012, Odubajo signed a new one-year deal with the Os.

First team breakthrough

After beginning the 2012–13 season on the bench, Odubajo made his first appearance of the campaign in a 1–0 defeat to Stevenage on 21 August, coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute for Jimmy Smith. Featuring mainly as a right back, he made regular substitute appearances and sporadic starts through the opening months of the season and finally broke into the starting lineup after scoring his first goal of the season with the only goal of the game in a Football League Trophy second round win over Barnet on 9 October. After the game Odubajo said "to score was an unbelievable feeling, my first 90 minutes of the season and my first goal, I couldn't have asked for any more".

Increasingly used as a right winger, he scored his second goal of the season in a 3–2 victory over Portsmouth on 20 November and scored a late winner over Walsall in a 2–1 victory on 29 December. His form began to attract interest from higher up the pyramid, with Premier League sides Norwich City, Southampton, Wigan Athletic and Championship sides Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic and Brighton & Hove Albion sending scouts to watch him.

Scottish Premier League side Celtic were also reportedly interested in his services. Odubajo celebrated his breakthrough and put an end to the transfer speculation by signing a new two-year contract in February 2013. He later stated that signing the contract was "a very difficult decision to be honest, because at the time my head was all over the place with things going on and different people speaking to me that I've never spoken to in my life". Odubajo finished the 2012–13 season with 54 appearances and three goals, though it was a frustrating end to the campaign for the Os, as they finished just outside the playoff places. Odubajo's performances during the season were recognised by the club and he was awarded the Young Player of the Year prize. After the season, Odubajo said he owed his breakthrough to the trust of manager Russell Slade.

Now an important member of Slade's side, Odubajo played a vital role in the Orient's rise to the top of the League One table in the early part of the 2013–14 season, scoring two goals in three games in victories over Shrewsbury Town and Crewe Alexandra in August 2013. The Os would go on to win their opening eight games. On 12 October, he scored Orient's equaliser in a 2–1 victory over Milton Keynes Dons, but still had to pay a club fine for arriving late at Brisbane Road. He bagged the first brace of his career in a 3–1 victory over Swindon Town on 23 November and was named in the Football League Team of the Week. Odubajo's form saw him court Premier League interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in January 2014, though would remain with the Os. In late March, Odubajo was voted the ninth best player of the season in League One by all the managers in the division. Odubajo's exploits saw him win the Football League Young Player of the Month award for April 2014. The same month it was reported that Premier League side Newcastle United and Championship sides Reading, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City were keeping tabs on Odubajo. Though Orient's table-topping form slowly slipped away, Odubajo scored four goals during the second half of the season and had to settle for a third-place finish and a place in the playoffs. Facing Peterborough United, Odubajo was the hero in the playoff semi-final first leg, scoring a 72nd-minute equaliser to keep the aggregate score tied at 1–1 going into the second leg. A 2–1 victory in the second leg saw the Os progress to meet Rotherham United in the playoff final. Odubajo proved his big match credentials by opening the scoring the opening goal with a "brilliant" 25-yard volley. He would end up on the losing side though, as Orient were denied a place in the Championship after succumbing to a shootout defeat. Odubajo made 57 appearances and scored 12 goals during the 2013–14 season. Odubajo was the subject of much transfer interest following the season, with Russell Slade stating that "unless someone has got a big pile of money, he will be staying. A very big pile".

Chairman Barry Hearn stated in mid-June that "Moses is the best player to come out of Orient in generations. It would take a king's ransom to get him out of the club". Odubajo departed Leyton Orient on 27 June, having made 116 appearances and scored 16 goals during his time with the club.

St Albans City (loan)

On 8 October 2010, Odubajo signed for Conference South side St Albans City on a one-month work experience loan. After appearing in two FA Cup third qualifying round matches against Kingstonian, Odubajo made his league debut in a 4–3 loss to Weston-super-Mare on 16 October, starting the match and lasting 64 minutes before being substituted for Adam Everitt. His final appearance for the club came in a 4–0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round defeat to Luton Town on 23 October. He made four appearances and scored no goals for the club.

Sutton United (loan)

On 13 January 2012, Odubajo joined Conference South club Sutton United on a one-month loan. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Thurrock the following day, playing the full 90 minutes. He made two further appearances for the club.

Bishop's Stortford (loan)

On 25 February 2012, Odubajo joined Conference North side Bishop's Stortford on a one-month loan. He made his debut the following day in a 1–0 victory over Altrincham, starting the match and lasting 89 minutes, until being substituted for Ben Seymour-Shove. Odubajo scored a hattrick in a 5–0 thrashing of Droylsden on 3 March. However, he was injured in the match and was unable to play for the club again. He made two appearances and scored three goals for the Blues.

Brentford

Following interest from Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Hull City, Odubajo signed for Championship side Brentford on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee on 27 June 2014. The Daily Mail reported the fee as being £1 million, with additional clauses. Odubajo was allotted the number 10 shirt, vacated by Farid El Alagui. He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2014–15 season, starting against Charlton Athletic and being replaced at half time by Marcos Tébar in the 1–1 draw. After starting in the first three league games of the campaign, Odubajo was dropped to the bench for the fourth match against Birmingham City at Griffin Park.

He came on as a 74th-minute substitute for right back Alan McCormack and scored his first competitive goal for the club three minutes later, with the equaliser in a 1–1 draw. Manager Mark Warburton revealed after the match that Odubajo had been suffering with a niggling injury for the past two weeks. He took his tally to two goals in three games against Brighton & Hove Albion on 13 September, driving home the Bees' opener in a 3–2 victory. After a run in the team on the right wing, injuries to Alan McCormack and Nico Yennaris saw Odubajo take over the right back position in late October. He went on to establish himself in the position, though in March 2015 he admitted that he continued to find combining his attacking and defensive duties difficult.

Odubajo celebrated his first international call-up with his third goal of the season on 21 March, scoring an injury time equaliser in a 2–2 draw with former club Millwall. He finished a successful season with 48 appearances and three goals, after the Bees were knocked out in the playoff semi-finals by Middlesbrough.

Hull City

On 7 August 2015, Odubajo joined Hull City for a fee of £3.5 million, signing a three-year deal. He made his debut on 11 August 2015 in the first round of the League Cup away to Accrington Stanley in a 2–2 draw, that Hull won 4–3 on penalties. Odubajo was first choice right back throughout the 2015-16 season and Hull were promoted to the Premier League via the play offs.

In July 2016, Odubajo suffered a serious knee injury ruling him out for up to six months.

International career

It was reported on 4 December 2014 that Odubajo had been invited to a training camp with the Nigeria U23 squad, which he did not attend. He received his first call into the England U20 squad for friendlies against Mexico and the United States in March 2015 and he started in both matches. He was called into the U20 squad for the 2015 Toulon Tournament and played in four of England's five matches as the Young Lions came up short to the United States in the third-place playoff.

Career statistics

Personal life

Odubajo was orphaned at the age of 13 when his mother died of malaria and from that age lived alone with his older brother Tom Bolarinwa, who now plays for League Two side Grimsby Town.

Honours

Hull City

Individual