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Nicky Ajose

Nicholas Olushola Ajose (born 7 October 1991) is a former English professional footballer who played as a forward.

Nicky Ajose
Personal information
Full name Nicholas Olushola Ajose[1]
Date of birth (1991-10-07) 7 October 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Bury, England
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1999–2009 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Manchester United 0 (0)
2010–2011 → Bury (loan) 28 (13)
2011–2014 Peterborough United 24 (7)
2011 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 7 (0)
2012 → Chesterfield (loan) 12 (1)
2012 → Crawley Town (loan) 19 (2)
2013 → Bury (loan) 19 (4)
2013–2014 → Swindon Town (loan) 16 (6)
2014–2015 Leeds United 3 (0)
2014–2015 → Crewe Alexandra (loan) 27 (8)
2015–2016 Swindon Town 38 (24)
2016–2019 Charlton Athletic 42 (8)
2017 → Swindon Town (loan) 15 (5)
2017–2018 → Bury (loan) 9 (1)
2019 → Mansfield Town (loan) 10 (2)
2019–2021 Exeter City 17 (2)
Total 286 (83)
International career
2006–2007 England U16 4 (0)
2007 England U17 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:10, 16 December 2020 (UTC)

Ajose began his career with Manchester United, but never made an appearance in the first team and spent much of the 2010–11 season on loan to Bury. He joined Peterborough United in July 2011, but spent time on loan with Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Crawley Town and Swindon Town, as well as another six months with Bury, before joining Leeds United in August 2014. After a spell on loan with Crewe Alexandra during the 2014–15 season, his contract with Leeds was terminated by mutual consent in September 2015, when he rejoined Swindon. In June 2016, Ajose moved to Charlton Athletic, where he made infrequent appearances, resulting in loan spells with Swindon, Bury and Mansfield Town. He was released at the end of the 2018–19 season, when he signed for Exeter.

Ajose played for England at under-16 and under-17 level. Also eligible to play for Nigeria, he was called up to the Nigeria under-20s for the 2009 African Youth Championship.

Club career

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Manchester United

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Born in Bury, Ajose made his way through Manchester United's youth squads, having joined the club in 1999.[3] He was awarded with his first professional contract by the club in the summer of 2009.[4]

Bury (loan)

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On 24 September 2010, Ajose joined his home-town club, Bury, on a one-month loan deal,[5] he made his debut the following day as an 80th-minute substitute in a 2–0 away win over Cheltenham Town.[6] His first goal for Bury came on his fifth appearance, a 3–0 home win over Accrington Stanley on 9 October.[7] Seven days later he netted in a 4–3 away victory over Torquay United.[8] His loan was later extended until 3 January 2011.[9] Ajose then scored goals in a 3–1 away wins over Aldershot Town on 30 October,[10] and Burton Albion on 19 November.[11] Ajose netted twice in a 5–0 away win over Lincoln City on 23 November.[12] On 5 January 2011, Bury announced that they had agreed at a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson that Ajose would remain at Bury on loan until 30 June 2011.[13] He returned to Manchester United for treatment in February after damaging his knee.[14] Five weeks later he rejoined Bury to commence the rest of his loan spell.[15] Ajose scored his first goal of 2011 in a 4–2 away victory over Macclesfield Town on 1 February.[16] He scored twice in a 3–0 victory over Oxford United on 2 April,[17] before netting another brace in a 4–2 away win over Northampton Town the following week.[18]

Peterborough United

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After failing to make it into the Manchester United first-team, Ajose joined Peterborough United – managed by Darren Ferguson, son of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson – on 5 July 2011. Peterborough paid an undisclosed fee for the striker, thought to be around £300,000 who signed a four-year contract with the club.[19] After a short loan spell with Scunthorpe United he signed on loan with Chesterfield for the remainder of the season, scoring his first goal against his former club, Bury.[20] However, he was unavailable to play in the final of the Football League Trophy, having played for Scunthorpe in the same competition earlier in the season.[21] Next a loan spell with former manager Richie Barker's Crawley Town came with 18 appearances and nine goals, Ajose scored the goal that knocked Championship side Bolton Wanderers out of the Football League Cup. In January 2013, Ajose returned to Peterborough, before again signing for his home-town team, Bury, on loan for the rest of the season on 23 January. On 2 February, Ajose scored his first goal back at Bury with a headed effort in their 2–0 over Doncaster Rovers at Gigg Lane.[22] In August 2013, Ajose joined Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone (who had qualified for UEFA Europa League) on trial.[23]

On 30 August 2013, Ajose signed for Swindon Town on loan until 1 January 2014.[24] He scored 10 goals in 21 games for Swindon in all competitions.

After impressing during his six-month loan spell at Swindon, Ajose returned to Peterborough United in January 2014. On 7 February, Ajose won the League One Player of the Month award for January 2014.[25] He scored seven goals for Peterborough United in 22 league appearances, helping them reach the League One play-offs. Ajose started both legs of the play-off semi-final against Leyton Orient, playing alongside Britt Assombalonga up front, but Orient won 3–2 on aggregate and Peterborough were knocked out. Ajose scored 17 goals in all competitions during the 2013–14 season, with 13 of those coming in the league. However, as he was for Chesterfield two years earlier, he was again cup-tied for Peterborough's victory in the 2013–14 Football League Trophy.[26]

In line with the club's policy of transfer-listing all players entering the last year of their contracts, Ajose was transfer-listed by Peterborough on 15 May 2014.[27]

Leeds United

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On 5 August 2014, Ajose signed a three-year contract with Leeds United, who paid Peterborough an undisclosed fee,[28] reported to be around £150,000.[29] Ajose made his debut for Leeds on 9 August against Millwall.[30]

Crewe Alexandra loan

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On 26 November 2014, Ajose joined Crewe Alexandra in an emergency loan deal until 5 January 2015.[31] After Ajose scored three goals in five matches for the Alex, their manager Steve Davis revealed that he was in talks with Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn about renewing the loan deal,[32] and on 8 January 2015 Crewe announced that they had secured Ajose on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season.[33][34][35]

During his loan spell, Ajose scored eight league goals for Crewe finishing as the club's top scorer, his goals and numerous assists helped keep the club in League One with Crewe Alexandra staying up on the final day of the season and finishing in 20th place, after being firmly in the relegation places upon Ajose's initial arrival at the club. Crewe Manager Steve Davis praised Ajose's impact in helping keep the club in the division.[36]

Return to Leeds

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During the 2014–15 pre-season, incoming Leeds head coach Uwe Rösler said on his arrival at the club that all players had a clean slate, and he singled out Ajose as a player who had impressed him in training. On 10 July 2015, Ajose started Leeds' first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2015–16 season in a 1–1 draw against Harrogate Town.[37] On 15 July, Ajose made a second appearance in Leeds' 1–1 friendly draw against York City,[38] but he was left out of the squad for the club's tour of Austria and Norway.[39]

Swindon Town

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After not being assigned a squad number for the 2015–16 season,[40] Ajose's contract with Leeds United was terminated by mutual consent on 2 September 2015.[41] Later that day, he signed a three-year contract with Swindon Town, where he had spent six months on loan in 2013. He later scored on his debut in a 3–1 win against Crewe Alexandra [42]

Ajose scored 24 League goals during the 2015/16 season for Swindon and finished as League 1's 2nd Top Goal Scorer just behind Will Grigg.[43]

Charlton Athletic

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On 16 June 2016, it was announced that Charlton Athletic were targeting Ajose from Swindon Town for a fee in the region of £800,000.[44] He scored his first goals for Charlton when he scored twice in a 2–1 win over Walsall on 20 August 2016.[45]

On 31 January 2017, it was announced that Ajose would return to former club Swindon Town on loan for the rest of the 2016/17 season.

Ajose scored his first two goals away at a struggling Coventry City side, where the match ended 3–1 to Swindon Town.

On 14 July 2017, Ajose returned to former club Bury on a season long loan deal.[46]

On 1 February 2018, Ajose returned to his parent club Charlton Athletic after cutting his loan at Bury short.[47]

On 14 January 2019, Ajose joined Mansfield Town on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[48]

He was released by Charlton at the end of the 2018–19 season.[49]

Exeter City

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He joined Exeter City on a free transfer on 3 July 2019.[50] He scored his first goal for Exeter when he scored in an EFL Trophy tie against Cheltenham Town on 3 September 2019.[51] In October 2019 it was announced he would undergo surgery for an ankle injury, having missed the last month of play.[52] He scored his first league goal for the Grecians in a 3–1 away defeat against Port Vale. On 12 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Exeter at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.[53]

Coaching career

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Ajose became Under 18s coach at Exeter City in September 2021.[54]

In October 2024, he left his role at Exeter to pursue an opportunity with Manchester City Women's club.[55]

International career

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Ajose was capped by England four times at under-16 level and once at under-17 level.[56]

He is also eligible to play for Nigeria and was called up by Nigeria under-20s for the 2009 African Youth Championship.[57]

Career statistics

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As of match played 9 January 2021[58]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bury (loan) 2010–11[59] League Two 28 13 2 0 0 0 2[a] 0 32 13
Peterborough United 2011–12[60] Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2012–13[61] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
2013–14[62] League One 22 7 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 24 7
Total 24 7 1 0 0 0 2 0 27 7
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2011–12[60] League One 7 0 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 9 0
Chesterfield (loan) 2011–12[60] League One 12 1 — 0 0 — 12 1
Crawley Town (loan) 2012–13[61] League One 19 2 0 0 2 1 1[a] 0 22 3
Bury (loan) 2012–13[61] League One 19 4 0 0 — — 19 4
Swindon Town (loan) 2013–14[62] League One 16 6 1 0 1 0 3[a] 4 21 10
Leeds United 2014–15[63] Championship 3 0 0 0 1 0 — 4 0
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2014–15[63] League One 27 8 0 0 — 0 0 27 8
Swindon Town 2015–16[64] League One 38 24 1 1 0 0 1[a] 0 40 25
Charlton Athletic 2016–17[65] League One 21 6 3 0 1 0 3[c] 1 28 7
2017–18[66] League One 12 1 — — 2[d] 0 14 1
2018–19[67] League One 9 1 3 1 1 0 3[e] 1 16 3
Total 42 8 6 1 2 0 8 2 58 11
Swindon Town (loan) 2016–17[65] League One 15 5 — — — 15 5
Bury (loan) 2017–18[66] League One 9 1 1 0 1 0 3[e] 3 14 4
Mansfield Town (loan) 2018–19[67] League Two 10 2 — — 1[f] 0 11 2
Exeter City 2019–20[68] League Two 13 2 0 0 0 0 3[g] 3 16 5
2020–21[69] League Two 4 0 1 0 0 0 4[h] 1 9 1
Total 17 2 1 0 0 0 7 4 25 6
Career totals 286 83 14 2 7 1 29 13 336 99
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in League One play-offs
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Two appearances in the League One play-offs
  5. ^ a b Three appearances in the EFL Trophy
  6. ^ One appearance in the League Two play-offs
  7. ^ Three appearances in the EFL Trophy
  8. ^ Four appearances in the EFL Trophy

Honours

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Bury

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Exeter City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 26. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Nick Ajose". leedsunited.com. Leeds United FC. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Career History". UpThePosh!. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Player profile: Nicky Ajose". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  5. ^ "United youngster on loan". buryfc.co.uk. Bury F.C. 25 September 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Cheltenham 0–2 Bury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 25 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  7. ^ "Bury 3–0 Accrington". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 October 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  8. ^ "Torquay 3–4 Bury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  9. ^ "Bury extend loan of Manchester United's Nicky Ajose". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  10. ^ "Aldershot 1–3 Bury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  11. ^ "Burton Albion 1–3 Bury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  12. ^ "Lincoln City 0–5 Bury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2010.
  13. ^ "Nicky stays at Gigg Lane". buryfc.co.uk. Bury FC. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  14. ^ "Ajose returns to Old Trafford for treatment". buryfc.co.uk. Bury FC. 8 February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Nicky Ajose returns to Bury from Man Utd after injury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  16. ^ "Macclesfield 2–4 Bury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  17. ^ "Bury 3–0 Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 April 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  18. ^ "Northampton 2–4 Bury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  19. ^ "Peterborough land Manchester United's Nicky Ajose". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  20. ^ "Spireites issue retained list". Chesterfield FC. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  21. ^ "JPT final preview". Sky Sports. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Bury 2–0 Doncaster". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  23. ^ "Ajose back with Posh". Sky Sports. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  24. ^ "Nicky Ajose: Swindon agree loan deal for Peterborough striker". BBC Sport. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Ajose named Player of the Month". football-league.co.uk (The Football League). 7 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  26. ^ "Posh v Colchester Match Preview". The Posh. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  27. ^ "League One latest: Ex Manchester United striker Nicky Ajose is transfer-listed by Peterborough United". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Local World. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  28. ^ "Nicky Ajose: Leeds United sign Peterborough United striker". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 5 August 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  29. ^ Hay, Phil (8 August 2014). "Ajose: I've earned my chance at Leeds United". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  30. ^ "Millwall v Leeds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  31. ^ "AJOSE MAKES LOAN MOVE". Leeds United AFC. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  32. ^ Rich Sharpe (7 January 2015). "Crewe Alexandra: Steve Davis hopeful Jamie Ness and Nicky Ajose will return". The Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  33. ^ "Ajose: "I've Got Unfinished Business"". Crewe Alexandra FC. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  34. ^ "REDFEARN GIVES TRANSFER UPDATE". Leeds United AFC. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  35. ^ Phil Hay (9 January 2015). "Leeds United: Redfearn wants signings now". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  36. ^ Rich Sharp (29 April 2015). "Crewe Alexandra: Nicky Ajose's contribution shouldn't be overlooked – Steve Davis". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  37. ^ "United held in Harrogate friendly". leedsunited.com. Leeds United FC. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  38. ^ "Byram on target in York draw". leedsunited.com. Leeds United FC. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  39. ^ "Pre-season: United touch down in Austria". leedsunited.com. Leeds United FC. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  40. ^ "2015/16 squad numbers announced". leedsunited.com. Leeds United FC. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  41. ^ "Ajose free to exit Elland Road". leedsunited.com. Leeds United FC. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  42. ^ "Nicky Ajose: Swindon Town sign former Leeds United striker". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 2 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  43. ^ "League One Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  44. ^ "Nicky Ajose: Charlton Athletic agree deal to sign Swindon Town top scorer". BBC Sport. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  45. ^ "Walsall 1–2 Charlton". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  46. ^ "Nicky Ajose joins Bury on season-long loan deal". cafc.co.uk. Charlton Athletic FC. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  47. ^ "Charlton recall Nicky Ajose". cafc.co.uk. Charlton Athletic FC. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  48. ^ "Charlton striker Nicky Ajose joins League Two club on loan". Charlton Athletic. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  49. ^ "Charlton Athletic offer Patrick Bauer and Joe Aribo new contracts". BBC Sport. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  50. ^ "Nicky Ajose: Exeter City sign former Charlton Athletic striker". BBC Sport. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  51. ^ "Exeter City 1 Cheltenham 0: Nicky Ajose scores his first goal in Grecians' victory". devonlive.com. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  52. ^ "Nicky Ajose: Exeter City striker to undergo knee surgery". BBC Sport. 3 October 2019.
  53. ^ "📝 Retained List announced".
  54. ^ "Nicky Ajose rejoins Exeter City as part of coaching team". Devon Live. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  55. ^ https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/nicky-ajose-departs-exeter-citys-academy, Nicky Ajose Departs Exeter City's Academy, Exeter City FC, 29 October 2024
  56. ^ "Nicky Ajose". TheFA.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  57. ^ "Country Call up Man Utd Youngster". Kick Off Magazine. 14 December 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  58. ^ "Nicky Ajose". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  59. ^ "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  60. ^ a b c "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  61. ^ a b c "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  62. ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  63. ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  64. ^ "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  65. ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  66. ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  67. ^ a b "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  68. ^ "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  69. ^ "Games played by Nicky Ajose in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  70. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 39, 124–125. ISBN 978-0-7553-6231-8.
  71. ^ "The Football League Awards 2016: Winners". EFL.com. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
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