Rasheed Olabiyi
Rasheed Olabiyi (born 8 August 1990 in Ibadan) is an association football midfielder.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | August 8, 1990 | ||
Place of birth | Ibadan, Nigeria | ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
Playing position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
Pepsi Football Academy | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2015 | Enyimba | ||
2015 | → Shooting Stars (loan) | ||
2015 | Houston Dynamo | 7 | (0) |
2017 | Harrisburg City Islanders | 27 | (1) |
National team‡ | |||
Nigeria U17 | |||
Nigeria U20 | |||
Nigeria U23 | |||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 19, 2017 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of June 10, 2013 |
Career
Youth
As a youth, Olabiyi spent time with the Pepsi Football Academy in Nigeria. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, he was named the team's MVP while playing alongside players such as John Obi Mikel and Elderson Echiejile.[1]
Professional
In 2007, Olabiyi joined Enyimba International F.C. of the Nigerian Premier League. Between 2007 and 2015, he helped the club win the Nigeria Premier League in 2010 as well as the Nigerian FA Cup in 2009, 2013, and 2014. Additionally, he helped the team win two Nigerian Super Cups: 2010 and 2013. In 2010, he went on trial with Superleague Greece club Asteras Tripoli.[2] In 2011, he was part of the squad that also reached the semifinals of the 2011 CAF Champions League.[3] Following the 2014 season, he was awarded the league's Wonder Goal Award for his strike in a 3–3 draw against Abia Warriors.[4] Olabiyi donated ₦ 50,000 of his prize money to the Ngwa Road Motherless Babies Home.[5] Olabiyi left Enyimba in March 2015 after a seven-year stint over financial disagreements. It was announced at that time that he was set to join Shooting Stars SC, also of the NPL, with interest in the player also coming from Kano Pillars and Warri Wolves.[6] It was later revealed that the move to Shooting Stars was a loan.[7][8] He finished out the season with his hometown club, which included a 1–0 defeat to his former club Enyimba in May 2015.[9]
On 9 July 2015, it was announced that Olabiyi had signed for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.[3] He made his debut for his club the following day, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Alexander López in the eventual 2–0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.[10][11]
Olabiyi signed with United Soccer League side Harrisburg City Islanders on 21 March 2017.[12]
Honours
Individual
- Pepsi Football Academy MVP: 2006, 2007
- Nigeria Premier League Best XI: 2014
- NPL Wonder Goal Award: 2014
Club
- Nigeria Premier League Champion: 2009–10
- Nigeria Premier League Runner-Up: 2012/2013, 2013/2014
- Nigerian FA Cup: 2009, 2013, 2014
- Nigerian Super Cup: 2010, 2013
- 2011 CAF Champions League: Semifinalist
References
- "Houston Dynamo sign Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi". Houston Dynamo. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "About-RASHEED OLABIYI". westafricanfootball.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "Houston Dynamo announce signing of Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "Enyimba Midfielder, Olabisi Delighted With Bloggers Award". completesportsnigeria.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "Rasheed Olabiyi Donated N50,000 Wonder Goal Cash Prize to Aba Orphanage". www.savidnews.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "Olabiyi Joins 3SC". sl10.ng. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "Former Enyimba midfielder joins 3SC". news24.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- Akpayen, George. "Olabiyi joins Houston Dynamo". supersport.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "Olabiyi's Dream Return to Abia Ends in Nightmare". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- "Olabiyi makes MLS debut for Houston Dynamo". The Nation. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- "San Jose 0 Houston 2". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- Staff, USLSoccer.com (2017-03-21). "City Islanders Add Sanchez". United Soccer League. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 July 2015.