Jonathan Obika

Jonathan Obika
Obika with Tottenham Hotspur in 2010
Personal information
Full name Jonathan Chiedozie Obika[1]
Date of birth (1990-09-12) 12 September 1990 (age 34)[1]
Place of birth Enfield, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Motherwell (first team coach)
Youth career
2006–2008 Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2014 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
2009 → Yeovil Town (loan) 10 (4)
2009–2010 → Yeovil Town (loan) 22 (6)
2010 → Millwall (loan) 12 (2)
2010–2011 → Crystal Palace (loan) 7 (0)
2011 → Peterborough United (loan) 1 (1)
2011 → Swindon Town (loan) 5 (0)
2011 → Yeovil Town (loan) 11 (3)
2011–2012 → Yeovil Town (loan) 27 (4)
2013 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 10 (3)
2014 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 5 (1)
2014 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 12 (0)
2014–2017 Swindon Town 94 (28)
2017–2019 Oxford United 46 (8)
2019–2021 St Mirren 70 (20)
2021–2023 Morecambe 18 (2)
2023 → Motherwell (loan) 9 (1)
2023–2024 Motherwell 10 (1)
Total 363 (71)
International career
2008–2009 England U19 1 (0)
2009 England U20 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jonathan Chiedozie Obika (born 12 September 1990) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker and is currently first team coach for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell.

Club career

Tottenham

Obika is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur youth system and was the top scorer for the academy side in the 2007–08 season. He made his first team debut in the UEFA Cup on 27 November 2008 against NEC Nijmegen.[2] He also played against Ukrainian side FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the same competition. He signed a more secure contract with the club in January 2009.[3]

On 19 March 2009 he signed with League One team Yeovil Town on a month's loan.[4] His loan was extended until the end of the 2008–09 season in April.[5] In his two-month loan spell he played 10 games scoring four goals.

Obika returned to Yeovil on a three-month loan on 11 August 2009.[6] He scored in his third game of the 2009–10 season against Leyton Orient. He scored again on 1 September against Bournemouth in the Football League Trophy, coming on as a substitute at half time.[7] Along with fellow Tottenham loanees Steven Caulker and Ryan Mason, his loan was extended until the end of the season on 5 November.[8]

On 11 February, Obika was sent back to Spurs due to the return to Yeovil of Arron Davies and was then immediately sent on loan to fellow League One side Millwall.[9] On 13 April, Obika scored an injury time equaliser for Millwall against Yeovil and despite what it meant to Millwall's promotion push, he didn't celebrate as a mark of respect for his old club.[10]

On 20 August, Obika returned to south London to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan deal.[11] However this was cut short in early January after a series of disappointing performances, and he went on loan to Peterborough United instead.[12] He then joined Swindon Town a few weeks later until the end of the season[13] but was recalled after lack of opportunities at Swindon. Obika then subsequently rejoined Yeovil until the end of the season, his third club of the 2010–11 season,[14] and made 11 appearances scoring 3 goals.

Obika then rejoined Yeovil on loan at the start of the 2011–12 season until January 2012,[15] this deal was later extended until the end of the season. On 26 December 2011, Obika scored the first goal of his new loan deal against Charlton Athletic with an overhead kick,[16] and he then went on to score against Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday and Leyton Orient.

In February 2013, Obika signed on loan with Championship side Charlton Athletic for the remainder of the 2012–13 season and also signed a one-year contract extension with Spurs until 2014.[17] Obika scored his first goal for Charlton against Leeds United, a stoppage time header to win the match 2–1. Obika followed this up with a 90th-minute winner against Wolves.

On 8 January 2014, Obika joined Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion on an initial three-month loan deal.[18] He scored his first goal for Brighton in the FA Cup 4th round tie against Port Vale in the 78th minute, Brighton won 3–1. Rohan Ince & Solomon March scored the other two goals for the Albion.[19] After his deal with Brighton expired, Obika rejoined Charlton Athletic on loan, for the remainder of the season.[citation needed]

Swindon Town

Obika left Tottenham and joined League One club Swindon Town on 1 September 2014 for an undisclosed fee.[20] He signed a deal to keep him at The County Ground for two years. On 15 June 2017, Obika confirmed that he would be leaving Swindon upon the expiry of his current deal after a three-year spell at the County Ground.[21]

Oxford United

Obika became new manager Pep Clotet's first signing at Swindon's rivals Oxford United when his two-year deal was announced on 5 July 2017.[22] He made his debut as a substitute against Oldham Athletic in the opening match of the 2017–18 season, which ended in a 2–0 away victory for Oxford,[23] and made his home debut and first starting appearance, and scored his first goal, in the following game, a 4–3 defeat to Cheltenham Town in the first round of the EFL Cup.[24] He was released after his contract expired after the 2018–19 season.[25]

St Mirren

In August 2019, Obika signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.[26] He scored 8 goals in the league, the last of which came in a 1–0 win over Hearts which relegated the Edinburgh club.

Morecambe

In June 2021, Obika signed a two-year deal with League One side Morecambe.[27]

Motherwell

At the end of January 2023, Obika joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on loan until the end of the season.[28]

On 19 June 2023, Motherwell announced the permanent signing of Obika to a one-year contract with the option of a further year.[29]

International career

Obika was called up to represent England in the Under 20 World Cup tournament hosted in Egypt from 24 September – 16 October 2009. Obika featured in the first two games against Ghana and Uruguay.[30]

Coaching career

On 1 June 2024, a day after announcing his retirement from playing, Obika was announced as first team coach of Motherwell FC.

Obika cited Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell as a "big part" of his decision to call time on his playing career and focus on coaching. "I just feel this is where I'm supposed to be," said Obika. "When reflecting back, I just knew this opportunity doesn't come around often under people you value and respect. I feel honoured. "When he [Kettlewell] first came in, just watching how he took over and across the 18 months seeing him work, he is someone you want to deliver for. I feel in this role I can deliver for him."

Personal life

Obika was born in Enfield, London and grew up in Tottenham. He attended The Bishop Stopford's School in Enfield.[31] He is of Nigerian descent and is the cousin of singer and former Fame Academy contestant Lemar.[32]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tottenham Hotspur 2008–09[33] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 2 0
2009–10[34] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2010–11[35] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011–12[36] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[37] Premier League 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
2013–14[38] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tottenham Hotspur Total 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 4 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2008–09[33] League One 10 4 — — — 10 4
2009–10[34] League One 22 6 1 0 1 0 1[b] 1 25 7
Millwall (loan) 2009–10[34] League One 12 2 — — — 12 2
Crystal Palace (loan) 2010–11[35] Championship 7 0 0 0 1 0 — 8 0
Peterborough United (loan) 2010–11[35] League One 1 1 1 0 — — 2 1
Swindon Town (loan) 2010–11[35] League One 5 0 — — — 5 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2010–11[35] League One 11 3 — — — 11 3
2011–12[36] League One 27 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 28 4
Yeovil Town Total 70 17 1 0 2 0 1 1 74 18
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2012–13[37] Championship 10 3 — — — 10 3
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2013–14[38] Championship 5 0 3 1 — — 8 1
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2013–14[38] Championship 12 0 — — — 12 0
Charlton Athletic Total 22 3 — — — 22 3
Swindon Town 2014–15[39] League One 32 8 1 0 0 0 4[c] 2 37 10
2015–16[40] League One 32 11 1 0 1 1 1[b] 0 35 12
2016–17[41] League One 30 6 0 0 0 0 1[d] 0 31 6
Swindon Town Total 99 25 2 0 1 1 6 2 108 28
Oxford United 2017–18[42] League One 35 5 0 0 1 1 5[d] 1 41 7
2018–19[43] League One 11 1 0 0 3 0 2[d] 0 16 1
Oxford United Total 46 6 0 0 4 1 7 1 57 8
St Mirren 2019–20[44] Scottish Premiership 30 8 4 4 0 0 — 34 12
2020–21[45] Scottish Premiership 34 5 2 0 7 3 — 43 8
St Mirren Total 64 13 6 4 7 3 — 77 20
Morecambe 2021–22[46] League One 12 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 13 2
2022–23[47] League One 6 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 8 0
Morecambe Total 18 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 21 2
Motherwell (loan) 2022–23[47] Scottish Premiership 9 1 1 0 — — 10 1
Motherwell 2023–24[48] Scottish Premiership 10 1 1 0 3 2 — 14 3
Motherwell Total 19 2 2 0 3 2 — 24 4
Career total 363 71 17 5 20 6 17 4 417 86
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ One appearance and one goal in Football League Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs
  4. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ Lyon, Sam (27 November 2008). "NEC Nijmegen 0–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  3. ^ "Obika signs contract". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 20 January 2009. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  4. ^ "Yeovil sign teenage Tottenham duo". BBC Sport. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Yeovil extend deals for Spurs duo". BBC Sport. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  6. ^ "Yeovil returno for Obika". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Yeovil return for Obika". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Three Sign Loans for Season". Yeovil Town FC. 5 November 2009. Archived from the original on 8 November 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  9. ^ "Lions loan for Jon". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  10. ^ Yeovil Town vs Millwall Yeovil Town FC, 13 April 2010 Archived 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Obika loan to Palace". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  12. ^ "Posh Swoop For Obika". ThePosh.com. Peterborough United FC. 7 January 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  13. ^ "Tottenham striker Jon Obika joins Swindon Town on loan". BBC Sport. 8 February 2011.
  14. ^ "Yeovil Town sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Obika". BBC Sport. 17 March 2011.
  15. ^ "Yeovil Town sign Tottenham Hotspur's Jonathan Obika". BBC Sport. 4 August 2011.
  16. ^ "Yeovil 2–3 Charlton". BBC Sport. 26 December 2011.
  17. ^ "Charlton Athletic sign Tottenham's Jonathan Obika on loan". BBC Sport. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Albion Add Striker". Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 8 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Port Vale 1–3 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 25 January 2014.
  20. ^ "Transfer Deadline Day: Swindon sign Jon Obika and Jack Stephens". BBC Sport. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Obika confirms his Town exit". Swindon Advertiser. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Jonathan Obika joins Oxford United after release by Swindon Town". BBC Sport. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  23. ^ "Oldham Athletic 0 Oxford United 2". Oxford United FC. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  24. ^ "Oxford United 3 Cheltenham Town 4". BBC Sport. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  25. ^ Pritchard, David (7 May 2019). "Retained lists: Details of players released across the EFL this summer". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  26. ^ "St Mirren: Jonathan Obika arrives on two-year deal as Sean McLoughlin joins on loan". BBC Sport. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  27. ^ "SIGNING: Jonathan Obika". morecambefc.com. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  28. ^ Cassidy, Peter (1 February 2023). "Motherwell sign Jonathan Obika on loan for rest of season". STV News. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  29. ^ "JON OBIKA RETURNS". motherwellfc.co.uk/. Motherwell F.C. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  30. ^ "England Squad list". FIFA. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
  31. ^ "Player Profile:Jonathan Obika". Tottenham Hotspur FC. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011.
  32. ^ "Jonathan Obika on St Mirren, Harry Kane & Jermain Defoe's diet tips". BBC Sport.
  33. ^ a b "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  34. ^ a b c "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  35. ^ a b c d e "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  36. ^ a b "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  37. ^ a b "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  38. ^ a b c "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  39. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  40. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  41. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  42. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  44. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  45. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  46. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  48. ^ "Games played by Jonathan Obika in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  49. ^ "Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week 13/09/14 – 14/09/14". Football League. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014.