Gabriel Otegbayo

Gabriel Otegbayo
Gabriel Otegbayo in 2026
Personal information
Full name Gabriel Algirdas Babatunde Otegbayo[1]
Date of birth (2005-02-11) 11 February 2005[2]
Place of birth Cork, Ireland[2]
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Sheffield Wednesday
Number 22
Youth career
–2020 Ringmahon
2020–2022 Cobh Ramblers
2022–2023 Burnley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Sheffield Wednesday 48 (2)
International career‡
2025– Republic of Ireland U21 2 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:45, 25 August 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 18:43, 10 June 2025 (UTC)

Gabriel Algirdas Babatunde Otegbayo (born 11 February 2005) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League One club Sheffield Wednesday.

Career

Early career

On 31 August 2022, Burnley confirmed the signing of Otegbayo following a successful trial period for this U18 side.[3] He was the first youth player to be sold from Cobh Ramblers since Roy Keane.[4]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 1 March 2024, Otegbayo signed his first professional contract with Sheffield Wednesday following a successful trial period.[5][6][7] He signed a new contract at Wednesday at the end of that season.[8] He made his professional debut, coming off the bench in the EFL Cup on 14 August 2024 against Hull City, helping the side win 2–1.[9][10] He made his first professional start against Blackpool in the third round, helping his side to a 1–0 win before being replaced by Akin Famewo.[11][12] On 5 November 2024, he made his Championship debut against Norwich City, replacing Dominic Iorfa, helping Wednesday to a 2–0 victory.[13] He scored his first ever goal on 4 January 2025, scoring a late equalister against Millwall.[14][15] On 3 February 2025, he signed a new contract with the club.[16]

International career

Born in Ireland, Otegbayo is of Nigerian descent.[17] In November 2024, he received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for their two friendlies against Sweden U21 in Marbella, Spain.[18] He was called up to the following squad, where he made his debut against Hungary U21, starting in a 3–1 win.[19][20]

Personal life

Otegbayo's brother, Raphael-Pijus, is also a footballer and plays for Stoke City.[21]

Career statistics

As of 25 August 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sheffield Wednesday 2024–25[22] Championship 1111030–151
2025–26[23] Championship 3511020–381
2026–27[24] League One 2000200040
Career total 482207000572

References

  1. ↑ "EFL Professional Retain List 2023-24" (PDF). English Football League. p. 19. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 "G.Otegbayo". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Clarets capture Otegbayo". www.burnleyfootballclub.com.
  4. ↑ "Young Cork footballers 'living out their dream' as they head to the UK after signing for Burnley FC". www.corkbeo.ie. 16 September 2022.
  5. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday considering defender after leaving Premier League club". www.thestar.co.uk.
  6. ↑ "Otegbayo signs professional Owls contract". www.swfc.co.uk.
  7. ↑ "'Imposing' and 'impressive' former Burnley defender signs professional contract with Championship side Sheffield Wednesday". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  8. ↑ "Otegbayo extends Owls deal". www.swfc.co.uk.
  9. ↑ "Hull 1-2 Wednesday". www.swfc.co.uk.
  10. ↑ "Hull 1-2 Wednesday". www.bbc.co.uk.
  11. ↑ "The next step". www.swfc.co.uk.
  12. ↑ "Cork native Gabriel Otegbayo makes Sheffield Wednesday debut". www.irishexaminer.com.
  13. ↑ "The game went so quick, it flew past!". www.swfc.co.uk.
  14. ↑ "Wednesday 2–2 Millwall". www.swfc.co.uk.
  15. ↑ "Wednesday 2–2 Millwall". www.bbc.co.uk.
  16. ↑ "Otegbayo extends Wednesday stay". Sheffield Wednesday Official Site. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  17. ↑ "Official: Sheffield Wednesday make contract decisions on three Nigerians starlets". AllNigeriaSoccer. 13 May 2024.
  18. ↑ "Jim Crawford names Under-21 squad for Sweden friendlies". www.fai.ie.
  19. ↑ "REPORT | U21 | Melia sets record in 3-1 win for Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  20. ↑ "Squad named for Scotland and Hungary friendlies". FAI. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  21. ↑ "Pijus eyeing international honours". Stoke City. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  22. ↑ "Games played by Gabriel Otegbayo in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "Games played by Gabriel Otegbayo in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  24. ↑ "Games played by Gabriel Otegbayo in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
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