Aramide Oteh
Personal information
Full name Aramide Jay Oluwafunso Oteh[1]
Date of birth (1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth Lee, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.76 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Walsall
Number 20
Youth career
c. 2006–2017 Tottenham Hotspur
2017 → Queens Park Rangers (work experience)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 Queens Park Rangers 17 (1)
2019 → Walsall (loan) 13 (1)
2019–2020 → Bradford City (loan) 18 (3)
2020–2021 → Stevenage (loan) 13 (4)
2021 → Colchester United (loan) 13 (1)
2021–2022 Salford City 10 (1)
2022–2023 Crawley Town 38 (7)
2023– Walsall 11 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:30, 29 November 2023 (UTC)

Aramide Jay Oluwafunso Oteh (born 10 September 1998) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Walsall.

Oteh began his career with the Academy of Tottenham Hotspur, before he was released in 2017 having made no appearances for the club's first team. Having previously spent time with the club on a work experience loan, he then signed permanently for Queens Park Rangers, where he made his professional debut in 2017. Oteh spent the majority of his time at the club out on loan, having spells with Walsall, Bradford City, Stevenage, and Colchester United. After four years with QPR, he was released by the club in 2021, before signing for Salford on a short-term contract.

Club career

Tottenham Hotspur

Born in Lee, London and of Nigerian descent, Oteh began his career with the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, first playing in the under-8s.[3] Oteh was profiled for Tottenham's website in 2015, where he spoke of his desire to emulate former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe due to his movement and his ability to score goals, and said he enjoyed watching Harry Kane train due to his finishing skills and his physical strength.[4] On 18 January 2017, Oteh joined fellow London team Queens Park Rangers on a work experience loan.[5] His Tottenham contract was terminated by mutual consent on 27 February at the age of 18.[6]

Queens Park Rangers

On 5 May 2017, Oteh signed for QPR on a permanent basis.[7] His form for QPR's Under-23 team led him to be considered for a place in the first team,[8] and he made his professional debut as a 69th-minute substitute for Bright Osayi-Samuel in a 1–0 defeat to Millwall at The Den on 29 December.[9] After the match, Oteh said that "it's up to me to keep improving and showing the manager what I'm capable of".[10] He scored his first senior goal in a 3–1 away win against Burton Albion on 13 January 2018,[11] after which QPR manager Ian Holloway said it was "exciting" to have players such as Oteh in his team.[12] Oteh scored 16 goals during the 2017–18 for QPR's Under-23 team,[13] and he was nominated for the QPR Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2017–18 season.[14] Oteh's performances in his first season at the club lead to him signing a new three-year contract with The R's in September, and he praised coaches Chris Ramsey and Les Ferdinand for helping him develop as a player.[15]

On 6 January 2019, he scored the opening goal from the penalty spot in QPR's 2–1 FA Cup win against Leeds United, receiving praise from manager Steve McClaren for displaying "great courage, a great mentality";[16] it was QPR's first outright win in the FA Cup since 1997.[17] At the end of the 2018–19 season, Oteh was again nominated for QPR's Young Player of the Year award.[18] On 20 May 2021, Oteh was released by QPR at the expiry of his contract,[19] having scored two goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.[20]

Walsall and Bradford City loans

On 30 January 2019, Oteh joined EFL League One team Walsall on a loan deal until the end of the 2018–19 season,[21] and made his debut for the club in a defeat to Rochdale on 2 February.[22] Walsall manager Dean Keates described Oteh as a player with "really good pedigree", and credited QPR coach Paul Hall in helping orchestrate the move,[23] with Walsall winning out over Southend United.[24] His first and only goal for the club came on 19 April, when he scored a last minute penalty to equalise in a 1–1 draw with Southend United,[25] helping break The Saddlers six-match losing streak.[26] Walsall were relegated at the end of the season, with local newspaper Express & Star saying he hadn't had the "desired impact" to help in their survival battle.[27]

It’s just nice to be around it. He's got so much knowledge and offers great advice on the pitch... It’s massive for me. They’ve played hundreds of games and had good careers, so it’s good to learn off those two. They are good pros on and off the pitch and I like to be in and around them.

—Oteh discussing learning from Bradford City strikers James Vaughan and Clayton Donaldson[28]

On 2 September he signed on loan for EFL League Two team Bradford City.[29] Bradford manager Gary Bowyer said that he expected Oteh to make a "massive contribution" as back up to strikers James Vaughan and Clayton Donaldson.[30] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win against Morecambe on 12 October,[31] and credited Vaughan and Donaldson as being role models and helping him improve his game.[32] Following an injury to Donaldson, Oteh began playing more regularly, and by December Bowyer had noted his progress, while admitting there was still room for improvement, saying "he's certainly done better on his second loan but I still think he can push himself harder. We've spoken to him and he’s aware of that".[33] He scored his final goal for the club on 1 January 2020, coming on as a substitute to score the winner 11 minutes from time in a 1–0 win against Morecambe.[34] He was recalled by QPR on 31 January 2020, having scored five goals for Bradford.[35]

Stevenage and Colchester United loans

On 16 October 2020, Oteh signed on loan for League Two team Stevenage on a season-long loan.[36] After initially being used as a substitute for Stevenage, he found his way into the starting line-up, and scored the equaliser against Morecambe in a 1–1 draw on 14 November,[37] and after scoring in a 2–1 win over Port Vale 10 days later, noted that he was enjoying his strike partnership with Danny Newton due to their contrasting styles.[38] However, having scored four goals in 13 appearances, Oteh was recalled early from his loan by QPR in January 2021.[39]

On 19 January 2021, Oteh joined League Two team Colchester United on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season,[40] having been a target prior to his loan to Stevenage.[41] He scored his first goal for The U's in a 2–1 defeat to Exeter City, and described it as a "bittersweet" moment.[42] He finished his loan at Colchester with one goal in 13 appearances.[20] Manager Hayden Mullins, Oteh's third manager in his time at Colchester, later said he had been unlucky not to have made more appearances due to the form of strike pairing Michael Folivi and Frank Nouble.[43]

Salford City

Following his release by QPR, Oteh went on trial with League One side Doncaster Rovers in July 2021,[44] and was being monitored by Coventry City and Derby County.[45] On 25 September, he signed for League Two side Salford City on a short-term contract until January 2022.[46] He made his debut on the same day, coming on as a second-half substitute in a league match against Northampton Town.[47] His first goal for the club came on 3 November, giving Salford a 3–2 lead in an eventual 5–3 win against Leeds United U21s in the EFL Trophy.[48]

Crawley Town

In February 2022, Oteh joined League Two side Crawley Town on a free transfer following his release by Salford.[49] Manager John Yems expressed his joy at signing Oteh, saying he had a "point to prove".[50] His first goal for the club came on 8 February, scoring the opening goal in a 3–1 win against Harrogate Town,[51] Crawley's first ever win over Harrogate.[52]

Walsall

On 24 July 2023, Oteh returned to Walsall, this time on a permanent transfer from Crawley.[53]

Style of play

Oteh is a versatile attacking player capable of playing in numerous positions and roles. His preference is to play as a centre-forward, but can play as a winger or a second striker.[54]

Personal life

Born in England, Oteh is of Nigerian and Jamaican descent.[55]

Career statistics

As of 11 March 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Queens Park Rangers 2017–18[56] Championship 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
2018–19[57] Championship 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 5 1
2019–20[58] Championship 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
2020–21[59] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 17 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 21 2
Walsall (loan) 2018–19[57] League One 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 1
Bradford City (loan) 2019–20[58] League Two 18 3 2 1 0 0 2[a] 0 23 4
Stevenage (loan) 2020–21[59] League Two 13 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 16 4
Colchester United (loan) 2020–21[59] League Two 13 1 – – 0 0 13 1
Salford City 2021–22[60] League Two 10 1 2 0 0 0 2[a] 1 14 2
Crawley Town 2021–22[60] League Two 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2
2022–23[61] League Two 20 4 1 0 2 0 2 2 25 6
Total 28 6 1 0 2 0 2 2 33 8
Career total 112 17 10 2 4 0 6 3 133 22
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Bradford City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 8. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  2. ^ "A. Oteh: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Nigerian Starlet Aramide Oteh Tipped To Shine For Tottenham Hotspur". Nigeria Soccernet. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Academy Profile — Aramide Oteh". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  5. ^ McIntyre, David (18 January 2017). "QPR look at Spurs teenager Oteh". West London Sport. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  6. ^ Veysey, Wayne (31 March 2017). "Exclusive: Tottenham terminate striker's contract". Football Insider. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Aramide Oteh Signs QPR Deal". Queens Park Rangers F.C. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  8. ^ Spencer, Phil (8 January 2018). "Five QPR players who've played themselves into Ian Holloway's Burton Albion plans after Charlton victory". MyLondon. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Millwall 1-0 Queens Park Rangers". BBC Sport. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Oteh keen to make his mark at QPR". West London Sport. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Burton Albion 1–3 Queens Park Rangers". BBC Sport. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  12. ^ Spencer, Phil (13 January 2018). "Ian Holloway 'delighted' with QPR performance, and hails former Tottenham youngster for goal against Burton". MyLondon. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Aramide Oteh signs new Queens Park Rangers deal". Sky Sports. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  14. ^ Kingsley, Igho (19 April 2018). "Nigerian Duo Shortlisted For Queens Park Rangers Young Player Of The Year". All Nigeria Soccer. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  15. ^ O'Rourke, James (4 September 2018). "QPR striker signs new contract". The 72. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Steve McClaren hails QPR's young guns following Leeds win". Eurosport. 6 January 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  17. ^ "QPR finally win FA Cup tie". The Times. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  18. ^ Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (24 April 2019). "Three Attack-Minded Nigerian Players Nominated For QPR's Young Player Of The Year". All Nigeria Soccer. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  19. ^ "New deal for Carroll as Smyth is among six released by QPR". West London Sport. 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  20. ^ a b Waldron, Jonathan (20 May 2021). "Ex-Colchester United loanee Aramide Oteh released by QPR". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Saddlers bring in Aramide Oteh on loan!". Walsall F.C. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  22. ^ Masi, Joseph (8 February 2019). "Aramide Oteh vows to bring goals to Walsall". Express & Star. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  23. ^ Spencer, Phil (30 January 2019). "The familiar face who orchestrated QPR prospect Aramide Oteh's loan switch to Walsall". Football.London. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  24. ^ Phillips, Chris (30 January 2019). "Southend United miss out on Queens Park Rangers' Aramide Oteh as striker joins Walsall on loan". The Echo. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Walsall 1-1 Southend United: Aramide Oteh's 94th-minute penalty rescues Walsall a draw with fellow strugglers Southend in their quest for League One survival". BBC Sport. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  26. ^ Masi, Joseph (22 April 2019). "Loane ace Oteh hoping to fire Saddlers to safety". Express & Star. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  27. ^ Masi, Joseph (6 May 2019). "The reasons it went wrong for the Saddlers". Express & Star. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  28. ^ Parker, Simon (20 December 2019). "Oteh learning from Vaughan's old tales". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  29. ^ "Aramide Oteh & Dylan Connolly: Bradford City sign duo on season-long loan deals". BBC Sport. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  30. ^ Parker, Simon (5 September 2019). "On-loan Oteh can 'learn loads' from strikers". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  31. ^ Parker, Simon (14 October 2019). "'We won't get big-headed', says striker Oteh". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  32. ^ Parker, Simon (18 October 2019). "On-loan Oteh keen to make a big noise". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  33. ^ Parker, Simon (13 December 2019). "Bowyer raises the bar for on-loan Oteh". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  34. ^ Parker, Simon (2 January 2020). "Gary Bowyer: Bradford City's subs set the benchmark after victory". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  35. ^ Bennett, Dan (31 January 2020). "QPR recall striker Oteh from loan at Bradford". Brent & Kilburn Times. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Stevenage: Ben Coker signs a permanent deal and Aramide Oteh joins on loan". BBC Sport. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  37. ^ Dagless, George (24 November 2020). "Aramide Oteh: Has he got a QPR future? How's he getting on out on loan?". Football League World. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  38. ^ Metcalfe, Neil (25 November 2020). "Aramide Oteh hoping the burgeoning double act with Danny Newton continues to bear fruit". The Comet. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  39. ^ Gallagher, Chris (11 January 2021). "Queens Park Rangers have confirmed that they have recalled forward Aramide Oteh from his loan spell with Stevenage". Football League World. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  40. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (19 January 2021). "Colchester United have signed Aramide Oteh from QPR". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  41. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (22 January 2021). "Colchester United new boy Aramide Oteh hopes to make mark". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  42. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (26 February 2021). "Colchester United loanee Remi Oteh targets more goals". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  43. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (1 October 2021). "Colchester United could face former striker Aramide Oteh". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  44. ^ Hoden, Liam (9 July 2021). "Another new trialist joins up with Doncaster Rovers ahead of first friendly". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  45. ^ Ally, Marcus (8 September 2021). "How is Aramide Oteh getting on ever since his QPR exit?". Football League World. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Aramide Oteh: Salford sign former QPR forward on short-term contract". BBC Sport. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  47. ^ "Salford City 2-2 Northampton". BBC Sport. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  48. ^ "Reaction: Salford City 5-3 Leeds United U21s". Salford City F.C. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  49. ^ "Aramide Oteh: Crawley Town sign ex-QPR striker following Salford City release". BBC Sport. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  50. ^ Dunford, Mark (3 February 2022). "Former Tottenham Hotspur youth player and QPR, Bradford City and Stevenage striker joins Crawley Town". Sussex Express. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  51. ^ Howell, Rhys (8 February 2022). "Harrogate Town 1, Crawley Town 3: Oteh, Tsaroulla and Nichols goals give Reds win in Yorkshire". Sussex Express. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  52. ^ "Harrogate 1-3 Crawley: Aramide Oteh scores in comfortable Reds win". Sky Sports. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  53. ^ "Aramide Oteh returns to Walsall!". Walsall FC. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  54. ^ Atkinson, Nathan (11 November 2019). "Bradford City's on-loan QPR man stars as a number 10". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  55. ^ "Nigeria-target Eze Nominated for three QPR End-of-Season Awards". 14 July 2020.
  56. ^ "Games played by Aramide Oteh in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  57. ^ a b "Games played by Aramide Oteh in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  58. ^ a b "Games played by Aramide Oteh in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  59. ^ a b c "Games played by Aramide Oteh in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  60. ^ a b "Games played by Aramide Oteh in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  61. ^ "Games played by Aramide Oteh in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

External links

Walsall F.C. โ€“ current squad
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