Andrew Omobamidele

Andrew Abiola Omobamidele (born 23 June 2002) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht, on loan from side Strasbourg and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Early life Omobamidele was born in Leixlip, County Kildare, to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father. As a youth, he played for the Dublin District Schoolboys League representative side alongside fellow future Irish international Gavin Bazunu.

He made his debut for Norwich on 16 January 2021 as a substitute in a 2–1 Championship league win against Cardiff City. Omobamidele's first start for Norwich was on in a 1–1 draw to Preston North End on 2 April 2021, when he played the full 90 minutes and was awarded Man of the Match. On 11 September 2021, he made his Premier League debut, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. On 31 October 2021, Omobamidele scored his first Premier League goal, which was also his first goal in senior football, heading home the equaliser from a corner in an eventual 2–1 loss to Leeds United at Carrow Road. In April 2023, he became the youngest player to captain the club in 42 years, in a 0–0 draw with Rotherham United.

Nottingham Forest On 1 September 2023, Omobamidele signed with Premier League club Nottingham Forest until 2028, for a fee reported to be £11 million. He scored a debut goal for Forest in an FA Cup 3rd round replay against Blackpool, which Forest won 3–2 after extra time. He made his league debut for Forest on 20 January 2024, in a 3–2 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Strasbourg On 24 January 2025, Omobamidele joined Ligue 1 club Strasbourg on loan for the remainder of the season. Later that year, on 24 June, he finalised his permanent transfer by signing a contract until 2029. On 29 August 2026, he captained the team for the first time, in a 2–1 victory over RC Lens.

Anderlecht loan On 2 September 2026, just 4 days after captaining Strasbourg for the first time, in a surprise move he signed for Belgian Pro League club RSC Anderlecht on a season-long loan.

International career Omobamidele in action for the Republic of Ireland U19 team in 2019. On 24 May 2021, Omobamidele received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the summer friendlies against Andorra and Hungary.

He made his international debut on 1 September 2021, as a 36th-minute substitute for the injured Dara O'Shea in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Portugal at the Estádio Algarve in Faro.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2019–20

2020–21

2020–21 Premier League

2022–23 Championship

2023–24 Championship

2023–24 Premier League

Strasbourg (loan) 2024–25 Ligue 1

2025–26

Honours Norwich City EFL Championship: 2020–21