OGUN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- One of the biggest stories of the 2023–24 Premier League season thus far has been Luton Town, who, despite all odds, achieved promotion and, despite operating on a shoestring budget, competed against the world’s greatest teams.
Elijah Adebayo, the team’s leading scorer, has drawn notice for his efforts thus far; he has scored two of his four goals this season against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Both goals for Adebayo were scored via header as the big centre forward is starting to make a name for himself in the Premier League leading many to ask the question; who is Elijah Adebayo?
Elijah Anuoluwapo Oluwaferanmi Oluwatomi Oluwalana Ayomikulehin Adebayo is a 25-year-old professional football player who plays as a striker for English Premier League team Luton Town, was born in London to Nigerian parents and has played his entire career in England touring the lower divisions and working his way up to the Premier League with Luton Town.
The 25-year-old striker is eligible to play for England by birth and for Nigeria through his parents who are obviously Yoruba judging by his name.
Adebayo’s football career started at Fulham, when he was enrolled in the under-9 program in 2007 and remained until he earned his first professional deal in 2016.
He went on several loan spells in the English lower leagues to build his character and toughness at Slough Town, Bognor Regis Town, Cheltenham Town, Swindon Town and Stevenage.
He would eventually leave Fulham to join Walsall permanently and after impressing there, he was snapped up by Luton Town in 2021 and remains a key player for the Hatters ever since.
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The 6ft 4inches tall forward enjoyed loan spells in Non-League football with Slough Town and Bognor Regis Town as a teenager, before gaining EFL experience with Cheltenham, Swindon and Stevenage while coming through the ranks at Craven Cottage.
His contract with Fulham expired in the summer of 2019, Adebayo left the club to join Walsall as a free agent and the 21-year-old impressed in the English League Two.
The 25-year-old had netted ten times in the fourth tier so far that season, after scoring eight in his first campaign with the Saddlers following his release by Fulham in the summer of 2019.
He left Walsall with an impressive record of 18 goals in 39 League Two starts to join Luton Town for an undisclosed fee in February 2021 despite interest from Championship clubs both in England and Scotland.
Adebayo impressed in his first full season at Luton, finishing as the Hatters’ leading scorer with 17 goals from 42 appearances in all competitions and pushing the club to a Championship Promotion Playoff spot.
Despite not being promoted to the Premier League that season, Luton succeeded in doing so the following year, thanks to 10 goals by Adebayo.
This time his exploits certified him to finish as number 25 on Pulse Sports 30 for 2023.
He is currently playing his third full season for Luton in the Premier League for the first time in his career and has also remained the club’s highest scorer.
Elijah Adebayo has scored 67 career goals in 242 appearances so far with 36 of those coming in 127 games and counting for his current club Luton Town,
As at now, Adebayo’s estimated net worth is $1 million. According to reports, he makes £3,300 a week playing forward for the Hatters. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is estimated to be €6.00 million.
Credit: Pulse Sports