| Fullname | Olakunle Banjo |
|---|---|
| Birth date | December 3, 1992 (age 33) |
| Birth place | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Height | 1.84 m (6.0 ft) |
| Position | Forward |
| Currentclub | Maryland Bobcats |
| Clubnumber | 10 |
| Collegeyears 1 | 2010–2012 |
| College 1 | Towson Tigers |
| Collegecaps 1 | 43 |
| Collegegoals 1 | 15 |
| Collegeyears 2 | 2014 |
| College 2 | UMBC Retrievers |
| Collegecaps 2 | 22 |
| Collegegoals 2 | 8 |
| Youthyears 1 | 2013 |
| Youthclubs 1 | Screaming Eagles |
| Years 1 | 2017–2018 |
| Clubs 1 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC |
| Caps 1 | 32 |
| Goals 1 | 3 |
| Years 2 | 2018 |
| Clubs 2 | Izee Auto FC |
| Years 3 | 2021– |
| Clubs 3 | Maryland Bobcats |
| Caps 3 | 15 |
| Goals 3 | 3 |
| Club-update | October 10, 2021 |
Olakunle "Kay" Banjolisten(born December 3, 1992) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Maryland Bobcats FC.
Career
Youth and college
Banjo played four years of college soccer, three years at Towson University, before moving to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2014.[1] Banjo finished his degree at Towson after the university's soccer program was dissolved and enrolled at UMBC as a graduate student.[2] In 2013, Banjo scored two goals for the Screaming Eagles of the Maryland International Soccer League as the team defeated the Maryland Bays 4–2 in the Rowland Cup final, Maryland's qualifying tournament for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The victory put the club within two wins of the tournament proper.[3] The team defeated the Aegean Hawks 1–0 in the next round to put them within one win of the tournament.[4] However, the Screaming Eagles were determined to have fielded multiple players who were not cleared by the USSF and the victory was given to the Hawks prior to the semi-final match.[5]
Professional
On January 15, 2015, Banjo was selected 38th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[6] However, he was not signed by the club.
Banjo signed his first professional contract on November 23, 2016, joining United Soccer League side Pittsburgh Riverhounds ahead of their 2017 season.[7] He made his first professional career start on April 13, 2017, against Saint Louis FC. He scored his first career goal in the fifth minute of the match, an eventual 1–2 defeat.[8]
On February 1, 2021, Banjo became the first professional signing by Maryland Bobcats FC, having previously played for the club at the amateur level in the United Premier Soccer League.[9]
Personal
Banjo is a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria.[10]
References
- ^ "Kay Banjo". UMBC. Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- ^ Tunstall, Brooke. "MLS Combine Notebook: Stolz Explains His Absence". America Soccer Now. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Screaming Eagles win first Maryland title, deny Bays a three-peat in chaotic fashion". thecup.us. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ Johnston, Matt (9 April 2013). "2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Four USASA Region I teams emerge from quarterfinals". thecup.us. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ Hakala, Josh (12 April 2013). "Screaming Eagles disqualified from USASA Region I qualifying, Aegean Hawks advance to semis". thecup.us. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ "Whitecaps FC select striker Kay Banjo in second round of 2015 MLS SuperDraft | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Archived from the original on 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
- ^ "Riverhounds sign Shane Campbell and Kay Banjo - Pittsburgh Sports Castle | Pittsburgh Sports Castle". Archived from the original on 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
- ^ Picardi, Anthony. "Kay Banjo Excels in First Professional Start Against STLFC". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
- ^ "Maryland Bobcats FC Sign Forward Kay Banjo as First Professional Signing In Club History". MarylandBobcatsFC.com. February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Kay Banjo". Archived from the original on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2017-03-26.