Tobi Adebayo-Rowling

Olutobi Adebayo-Rowling (born 16 November 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Rochdale.

Career

Peterborough United Signed on a youth contract in 2012 by Brighton & Hove Albion but was released 12 months later. He then signed a youth contract with Eastbourne Borough. Spotted by a Peterborough United scout, he then transferred as a youth to Peterborough United, before signing professional contract terms with the club in March 2015. A month later, Adebayo-Rowling was initially given a number 31 shirt when he appeared as an unused substitute on 3 April 2015, in a 2–0 loss against Scunthorpe United.

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Adebayo-Rowling was given a number 19 shirt, having switched from 31 shirt. On 8 August 2015, he made his first team debut, playing the entire game in a 2–0 away defeat against Rochdale for the club's first game of the 2015-2016 League One season. He continued to hold his place in the right-back position, appearing four times throughout August. However, after Robertson's sacking, he soon lost his first team place following the arrival of Manager Graham Westley and never played again after that, although he appeared once as an unused substitute in November 2015. In February 2016, it was announced that his contract was ended by mutual consent.

Sligo Rovers Shortly after his release by Peterborough United, Adebayo-Rowling moved to Ireland when he joined League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers on 1 February 2016.

Adebayo-Rowling made his Sligo Rovers debut, starting the whole game in the right-back position, in a 2–0 loss against Shamrock Rovers in the opening game of the season. He was then named in the League of Ireland Team of the Week on Matchday 13 following a 1–0 win over Bohemians. Adebayo-Rowling's performances resulted him in signing a contract extension for another season. He was also named League of Ireland Team of the Week on Matchday 30 following his performance, in a 3–0 win over Dundalk on 8 October 2016. Despite missing one game, due to suspension, Adebayo-Rowling went on to make a total of 32 appearances in all competitions, where he quickly established himself in the first team, playing at right-back. At the end of the 2016 season, Adebayo-Rowling was voted the club's Young Player of the Year.

Ahead of the 2017 season, Adebayo-Rowling spent two weeks training on his return to England at Crystal Palace and Portsmouth but no deal materialised. Despite this, Adebayo-Rowling continued to be a regular in the first team at Sligo Rovers and started every match He also struggled to recapture the sort of form from the previous season. After returning from suspension, Adebayo-Rowling managed to regain his first team place, although he suffered setbacks later in the season. Adebayo-Rowling went on to make 28 appearances in all competitions in the 2017 season.

Cork City On 7 November 2017, Adebayo-Rowling signed for Cork City.

Bromley In June 2018, Adebayo-Rowling returned to England to sign for National League side Bromley.

Ebbsfleet United On 24 July 2020, Adebayo-Rowling signed for National League South side Ebbsfleet United.

He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 defeat to Maidstone United on 23 November 2021.

Notts County On 30 May 2022, Adebayo-Rowling signed for National League club Notts County on a two-year contract having turned down offers from several EFL clubs.

Rochdale On 4 June 2024, Adebayo-Rowling signed a one-year contract with Rochdale.

On 7 March 2025, Adebayo-Rowling signed a one-year contract extension until summer 2026.

Personal life His uncle is BBC Radio presenter Dotun Adebayo, who is the brother of Tobi's father Adebayo-Rowling attended Longhill High School in Rottingdean, just outside Brighton. He appeared on the 5Live's World Football Phone-in in 2023, discussing the history of the game alongside Dotun Adebayo and Tim Vickery.

Career statistics

Honours Notts County National League play-offs: 2023

Rochdale National League play-offs: 2026