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26-year-old Anglo-Nigerian striker Elijah Adebayo is enjoying the best moments of his career, playing as Premier League club Luton Town’s top marksman.
His story with the Bedfordshire-based outfit is one that makes for interesting reading but even more fascinating is his football history.
Just yesterday, in front of an excited and boisterous home crowd, Adebayo led Luton Town FC to a 4-0 demolition of Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Adebayo scored inside the first minute before Chiedozie Ogbene rounded Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele to double Luton’s lead two minutes later.
The Seagulls’ misery continued when Adebayo got his brace and Luton’s third, expertly converting after meeting Ross Barkley’s through ball.
His hold up play caused Brighton all sorts of problems and his lanky body ensured he successfully bullied his opponents.
He eventually secured his hattrick three minutes before the hour mark when he headed past Steele again.
The result didn’t flatter to deceive as Luton dominated in the areas that matter. The Hatters had more attempts on goal and more attacking forays. Brighton meanwhile had more possession.
Beating Roberto De Zerbi by such scoreline is massive. When one considers the calibre of players at Brighton compared to the home side on the night, it makes it even more surprising.
Former Arsenal & Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro couldn’t bite up front. Billy Gilmour and Pascal Groß were unable to stop the brilliant moves of Ogbene, Sambi Lokonga and Ross Barkley.
So far this Premier League season, Elijah Adebayo has scored eight goals in 21 appearances. He has also scored against Arsenal and Manchester City this season.
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Who is Elijah Adebayo?
Elijah Adebayo was born on January 7, 1998 in London to Nigerian parents. The 26-year-old has played his entire career in England, playing majorly in the lower divisions. He helped Luton Town gain their first ever top-flight promotion ahead of the 2023/24 English Premier League season.
Adebayo is eligible to play for England by birth and for Nigeria via his parents. The striker’s parents are from the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria.
He began his football at London club Fulham FC, joining the club’s under-9 team in 2007. He later signed his first professional contract in 2016.
Despite staying so long at Fulham, he was largely sent on several loan spells in the English lower leagues. He was loaned out to the likes of Slough Town, Bognor Regis Town, Cheltenham Town, Swindon Town and Stevenage.
Adebayo later left Fulham to team up with League Two side Walsall on a permanent basis.
With ten goals in the fourth tier so far that season, he caught the attention of a lot of clubs. He had earlier scored eight in his first campaign with the Saddlers as well.
Elijah Adebayo joined Luton Town in 2021
Due to his outstanding performances with Walsall, he was quickly signed by Luton Town on February 1, 2021. He left Walsall with an applaudable record of 18 goals in 39 League Two starts.
Ever since, Adebayo has contributed impressively to the club, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League. Even with a relatively small stadium and low budget compared to their contemporaries, Luton Town have continued to shine.
In his first full season at Luton, Adebayo finished as the club’s leading scorer with 17 goals from 42 appearances. He helped the Hatters to a Championship Promotion Playoff spot.
After Luton gained promotion, Elijah Adebayo, Chiedozie Ogbene (an Irish international) and defender Gabriel Adedayo Osho caught the attention of Nigerians.
They all have one thing in common – all are players of Nigerian descent.
Elijah Anuoluwapo Oluwaferanmi Oluwatomi Oluwalana Ayomikulehin Adebayo is one player who has taken his career one step at a time. We all love his steady rise and if he continues like this – improving daily while keeping his head cool – it will only be a matter of time before he moves to a bigger club.
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