Nigerian striker Oriola Sunday joins Sydney FC on loan
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 03:32 · Archive
Oriola Sunday, a 23-year-old Nigerian-born striker fluent in Japanese, has joined Sydney FC on a season-long loan.
Oriola Sunday, a 23-year-old striker born in Nigeria, has joined Sydney FC on a season-long loan from RB Omiya Ardija in Japan. He follows in the footsteps of previous international strikers at the club including Dwight Yorke and Alessandro Del Piero.
Sunday nearly abandoned his football ambitions at 15 after struggling to attract interest from European scouts. He was living in Abuja at the time and part of Sporting Dreams Football Club, an academy and talent scouting organisation he had joined at 13. 'I was really sad, and I decided that that was going to be the last time I was going to play,' he told AAP. His mother pushed him to try one final talent programme, where he earned a youth contract in Japan.
Sunday moved to Kyoto to complete his high school studies. He signed his first professional contract with J2 League side Tokushima Vortis in 2022, then moved to RB Omiya Ardija in 2025 after various loan spells. When new coach Narcis Pelach arrived at Omiya Ardija in June, Sunday was not getting game time and sought a season-long loan move. Sydney FC, led by sporting director Alexander Baumjohann, offered him the opportunity.
How it is being reported
- How mum's advice helped Nigerian talent land in ALMBorn in Nigeria and fluent in Japanese, youngster Oriola Sunday is the latest international talent given the nod to lead Sydney FC's attack in the A-League Men.Perth Now · 14 Oct, 03:03
- How mum's advice helped Nigerian talent land in ALMBorn in Nigeria and fluent in Japanese, youngster Oriola Sunday is the latest international talent given the nod to lead Sydney FC's attack in the A-League Men.The West Australian · 14 Oct, 03:03
In this story: Oriola Sunday · Sydney FC · Nigeria · Narcis Pelach · Alexander Baumjohann · RB Omiya Ardija · Japan · Kyoto
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