Stephen Obileye

Club

Gnistan

Position

Defender

Nationality

England

Date of birth

1994-09-02

Birthplace

London, England

Height

191 cm

Weight

84 kg

Stephen Ayomide "Ayo" Obileye (born 2 September 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Premiership club Livingston, having previously played for Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic, Eastleigh, Dover Athletic, Maidenhead United, Ebbsfleet United and Queen of the South.

Early life
Obileye was born in Homerton University Hospital in the London Borough of Hackney to Nigerian parents.

Career
Obileye started his career in the youth system at Leyton Orient, before joining Chelsea as a schoolboy. He stayed with the club until 2011, but failed to earn a scholarship with the club. In 2011, he moved north to sign a two-year scholarship with the academy at Sheffield Wednesday. He made his professional debut at the age of 16 in August 2011, starting in the 0–0 draw with Yorkshire rivals Bradford City at Valley Parade in the EFL Trophy, which Bradford went on to win on penalties. He was made captain of the Development Squad for the 2012–13 season, and was awarded with his first professional contract for the club in May 2013, signing a one-year deal on completion of his scholarship. In March 2014, he was linked with moves away from the club as he wanted to return to his London roots, and spent a short time training with Premier League side Crystal Palace. In May 2014, he left Sheffield Wednesday at the end of his contract having only made one first team appearance, turning down a new deal.

In October 2014, he signed for EFL Championship side Charlton Athletic after impressing on trial, and was placed in the U21 Development Squad. He initially signed on a short-term deal, but in November 2014 his contract was extended until June 2015. Later in the month he signed for Football League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-month youth loan deal. As part of the loan agreement he was still eligible to play for Charton's U21 Development Squad. He made his debut on the same day, coming on as a substitute for Damian Batt in the 1–0 away defeat to AFC Wimbledon. In December 2014, his loan was extended for a further month, having made four appearances for the Daggers. He continued to have a positive impact in the Daggers back-line and in January 2015 his loan was again extended for a further month. He continued to remain a permanent fixture in the Daggers defence, extending his stay in February 2015 until the end of the season. He returned to Charlton in May 2015, having made 26 appearances for the Daggers, scoring twice.