MICHAEL OBAFEMI

Full Name: Michael Oluwadurotimi Obafemi

Born: 06 July 2000

Came from: Burnley   Went to: Burnley

First game: 24 August 2024   Last game: 18 April 2025

Appearances: 31 (15/16)   Goals: 2

Obafemi, born in Dublin to Nigerian parents, spent much of his youth career at Premier League academies after moving to London. A year with Ryan FC was followed by a two-year spell in Chelsea's youth set-up before he switched to Arsenal. In 2014, he moved from the Gunners to Watford's Academy but was released by the Hertfordshire club before his 14th birthday.

After taking a short break from football, Obafemi signed for Leyton Orient in 2015 and subsequently moved to Southampton a year later. Having finally settled with the Saints, he made his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur in January 2018, having previously made his first appearance for the club's under-23 side in the Football League Trophy. A debut for the Republic of Ireland followed in November 2018, when he came on as a substitute in a goalless draw with Denmark in the Nations League. The following month, he became Southampton's youngest Premier League goalscorer when he scored the third goal in a 3-1 win at Huddersfield Town. The 2019-20 campaign saw him become a regular fixture in the Saints side as he scored four goals in 25 appearances across all competitions. A disrupted 2020-21 campaign restricted him to just five appearances, leading to his departure from St Mary's and a move to Swansea City, where he scored 12 goals in 34 appearances, including a brace against local rivals Cardiff City.

Obafemi scored his first international goal in June 2022, netting the third goal in a 3-0 win against Scotland. An impressive first half of the 2022-23 season saw Burnley approach Swansea to secure a loan move for the striker before making the transfer permanent at the start of the 2023-24 campaign. After being restricted to just a couple of substitute appearances for the Clarets in the Premier League, he spent the second half of the season on loan at Millwall, where he scored twice in 14 appearances, helping the Lions avoid relegation to League One.

In August 2024, Obafemi joined Argyle on a season-long loan from Burnley, making his debut for the Pilgrims from the bench in the 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers. A full debut followed at Vicarage Road three days later in the League Cup against Watford, where the Hornets ran out 2-0 winners.

His first goal for Argyle came in a 2-1 home win against Blackburn Rovers in October 2024 before adding to his tally with the winner from the bench in a 1-0 home victory over Portsmouth in November. However, the change of fortunes proved short-lived.

Following Wayne Rooney's dismissal on New Year's Eve 2024, Obafemi remained with the squad under new manager Miron Muslic as Argyle attempted to maintain their Championship status. Despite a late improvement in results and some cup-run heroics, Argyle were unable to avoid relegation and a mass exodus followed at Home Park, with Obafemi returning to parent club Burnley. A return of two goals in 15 starts and 16 substitute appearances was below what Argyle supporters had hoped for, and although his ability was clear, his time at Home Park was ultimately frustrating.

In September 2025, on the final day of the summer transfer window, Obafemi joined Bundesliga 2 side VfL Bochum on a season-long loan. However, despite becoming the first Irishman to play for Bochum, he made just three appearances and failed to score. His loan was curtailed early and, in the January 2026 transfer window, he joined Argyle's League One rivals on loan, linking up with another former Pilgrim striker, Niall Ennis. He made five appearances in Tangerine without scoring before returning to Burnley at the end of the season.