Who is Andrew Omobamidele? Meet the Leeds United transfer target that could solve their Pascal Struijk injury problem

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It looks set to be a quiet January transfer window for Leeds United but if they sign anyone it might well be Andrew Omobamidele… but who is he?

Leeds United have been going great guns this season and look destined to finally return to the Premier League providing they don’t let their grip on the top of the Championship table slip.

Daniel Farke is blessed with a squad full of quality in depth, especially in forward areas where he can call on a cavalry of exciting attackers.

However, Leeds don’t have quite as many options in defensive positions and a series of injuries and suspensions have repeatedly left them low on numbers throughout the campaign.

Pascal Struijk is currently out of action for at least three weeks with a tendon injury in a massive blow.

If the Whites were to recruit in any position in January, it would likely be in defence and Andrew Omobamidele has been the strongest link so far.

Here is everything we know about him.

How old is Andrew Omobamidele?

Andrew Abiola Omobamidele was born on June 23, 2002, in Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland.

As of January 2025, he is 22 years old.

Omobamidele height and weight

Omobamidele stands at 6ft 2″ (188cm) tall and weighs in at 74 kg.

X/Twitter and Instagram accounts

Omobamidele has an official X, formerly Twitter, account that can be found @AndrewOmobamid1. He has 17.5k followers.

He can also be found on Instagram, where he has over 40k followers, at the handle @a.omobamidele.

Andrew Omobamidele to Leeds United transfer rumours

Nottingham Forest are enjoying a remarkable Premier League season which has been built on the bedrock of a resolute defence.

Unfortunately for Omobamidele, that means his game time has been severely limited to just a single match in the Carabao Cup.

That comes after he was given just 14 appearances in his first season at the City Ground after signing from Norwich City for a sizeable £11m fee in 2023.

As a result, Forest are reportedly considering allowing Omobamidele to leave in January and Leeds may be tempted due to the injury to Struijk.

Just as they are in the title race, Leeds are competing with Sheffield United for the centre-back’s signature.

However, the latest reports suggest the Blades are instead targeting Everton’s Michael Keane, leaving Leeds free to pursue Omobamidele.

Farke knows the Irishman well after handing him his debut while in charge of Norwich City and, ironically, Omobamidele scored his first professional goal against Leeds.

Is Omobamidele good?

Though Omobamidele has found himself down the pecking order, he was rated highly enough for Forest to spend a big chunk on him and he’s played a healthy number of games at a high level for his age.

Forest’s Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson said upon signing him: “Andrew has attracted considerable attention since his emergence at Norwich City, already experiencing Premier League, Championship and international football.

“He is one of the most exciting young defenders in the country at this time and we are delighted to welcome him to the club.”

Omobamidele earned high praise upon his breakthrough for the Ireland international team, too, with legendary defender Paul McGrath saying in 2021: “Andrew Omobamidele. Take a bow sir. Brilliant Display from this kid. The future looks a little brighter.”

Omobamidele has also been likened to Rio Ferdinand and called ‘outstanding’ by Farke.

Andrew Omobamidele stats

Trophies and honours

Norwich City trophies

• Championship winner – 2020/21