# James Olayinka

Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka (born 5 October 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford.

## Career
### Arsenal

Olayinka began his career with Arsenal. He signed his first professional contract with the club in January 2019.
On 29 August 2020, Olayinka was named an unused substitute in the 2020 FA Community Shield, with Arsenal clinching a 5–4 victory over Liverpool in the penalty shootout after the match finished 1–1 after 90 minutes.

#### Loan to Northampton Town

In January 2020, Olayinka moved on loan to League Two side Northampton Town until the end of the season, making his debut in a 3–0 win over Scunthorpe United on 28 January. He helped Northampton Town to secure promotion to League One by winning the play-off final.

#### Loan to Southend United

In October 2020 he joined Southend United on loan until January 2021. He scored his first goal for the club, and his first professional goal, in an FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood on 7 November 2020. On 1 February 2021, Olayinka extended his loan with Southend United to the end of the 2020–21 season.

### Cheltenham Town

He signed a two-year contract with Cheltenham Town on 1 September 2022. On 2 January 2024, manager Darrell Clarke announced that Olayinka had been made available for transfer. He was released by the club at the end of the 2023–24 season.

### Waterford

On 14 November 2024, it was announced that Olayinka would be joining League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford ahead of their 2025 season.

## Personal life

Olayinka is of Nigerian descent.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 14 March 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 |
| Arsenal U21 | 2018–19 EFL Trophy | 2018–19 EFL Trophy | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Arsenal U21 | 2019–20 EFL Trophy | 2019–20 EFL Trophy | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Arsenal U21 | 2020–21 EFL Trophy | 2020–21 EFL Trophy | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Arsenal U21 | 2021–22 EFL Trophy | 2021–22 EFL Trophy | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Arsenal U21 | 2022–23 EFL Trophy | 2022–23 EFL Trophy | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Arsenal U21 | Total | Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 3 | 12 | 3 |
| Arsenal | 2019–20 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arsenal | 2020–21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arsenal | 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arsenal | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northampton Town (loan) | 2019–20 | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Southend United (loan) | 2020–21 | League Two | 20 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 |
| Cheltenham Town | 2022–23 | League One | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| Cheltenham Town | 2023–24 | League One | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Cheltenham Town | Total | Total | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 1 |
| Waterford | 2025 | LOI Premier Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 61 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 82 | 7 |
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
* ↑ Appearances in the League Two play-offs.

## Honours

Northampton Town
* EFL League Two play-offs: 2020
Arsenal
* FA Community Shield: 2020