# Bosun Lawal

Mohammed Bosun Lawal (born 30 May 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender and midfielder for EFL Championship club Stoke City.

## Club career
### Celtic

Lawal started his football career with the joint youth setup of Irish sides St. Kevin's Boys and Bohemian, playing for the latter at under-19 level. He joined English Premier League side Watford in 2019. While at Watford, he was named academy player of the year for the 2020–21 season, and earned praise from then-first team captain Troy Deeney, who compared him to Abdoulaye Doucouré. He was offered a one-year contract by Watford in May 2021, but had attracted interest from Chelsea, Fulham, Norwich City and Scottish side Celtic, with the latter showing the strongest interest.
Having rejected the contract offer from Watford, Lawal made the move to Scotland, joining Celtic in July 2021. He was assigned to the club's B team, where he impressed with his performances, and was linked with a transfer away from the club in December 2022. He was named on the bench for the first team for the first time as Celtic went on to beat St Johnstone 4–1. He made his senior debut on 21 January 2023, coming on as a late substitute in a 5–0 Scottish Cup win against Greenock Morton.
On 17 August 2023, Lawal signed a new long-term contract with Celtic until the summer of 2026. On the same day, he joined EFL League One club Fleetwood Town on a season-long loan deal, where he would be managed by former Celtic captain Scott Brown. Lawal played 46 times for Fleetwood, scoring six goals as he was unable to help them avoid relegation.

### Stoke City

On 12 August 2024, Lawal signed for EFL Championship club Stoke City on a four-year-contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £2 million. It was later revealed that during his medical a stress fracture in his lower back was discovered.

## International career

Lawal has represented the Republic of Ireland from under-15 to under-21 level.
On 16 June 2023, he scored his first goal for the Irish under-21 national team in a 2–2 draw against Ukraine.

## Personal life

Lawal was born in Ireland and is of Nigerian descent. His brother, Ola, is also a footballer.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 8 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Celtic | 2021–22 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Celtic | 2022–23 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Celtic | 2023–24 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Celtic | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Fleetwood Town (loan) | 2023–24 | EFL League One | 42 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 6 |
| Stoke City | 2024–25 | EFL Championship | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 45 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 55 | 8 |
* ↑ Includes Scottish Cup & FA Cup
* ↑ Includes Scottish League Cup & EFL Cup
* 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup for Celtic B
* ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy