Olayinka Swaps Blue for Red & White

Derry City have confirmed the signing of James Olayinka at a press conference today; the 25-year-old joining on a two-year deal having spent last season at Waterford FC.

The London-born midfielder is a product of the Arsenal Youth Academy and started his senior career with loan spells at Northampton Town and Southend United.

Olayinka then spent two seasons at Cheltenham Town where he made a total of 38 appearances, before arriving at the RSC ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Speaking to the club website this afternoon, manager Tiernan Lynch welcomed his third signing of the close season to the club and outlined what he sees in the new recruit:

“A number of aspects that James impressed me with last year. His legs and his energy and he’s also a good footballer. Technically he’s good, stays on the ball and also the fact that he knows the league.”

“When we chatted, he talked about how impressed he was with Derry last year so he’s definitely somebody that we were very keen to get on board. He’s ticks a lot of boxes as far as age and, as I say, legs, energy, good footballer. And I think there’s probably so much more in him and hopefully we can bring that out.”

“I think James is one of those types of players that is gonna come in and give us that energy and give us that box-to-box that he talks about. A really good lad, wants to improve, wants to get better. We’re excited about him.”

New signing James Olayinka is looking forward to the challenge after a year with Waterford:

“Really excited to be here. Obviously this will be my second season here [in the LOI] now. Got a taste of it last year and managed to play a lot of games. Played Derry four times. One wasn’t the best so I know what the club’s like.”

“It’s a good club with a lot of good players, a good manager. Play really good football, so really excited to get going.”

On coming through the Arsenal academy:

“I was there for 16 years, so until I was 22. So most of my life has been Arsenal. Yeah, it was good. Grew up around a lot of good players in and around the first team. Played with a lot of them, got a lot of good learning. So it’s stood me in good stead.”

On what to expect from him:

“I would say I’m a box-to-box midfielder who likes to get forward, likes to join the attack. Hopefully score some goals this year and also help defensively when I need to. Just exciting football, going past players, linking up with the forward players and trying to make things happen.”

On a getting used to a winter pre-season today for a summer league:

“It didn’t feel like summer but I had it last year. Probably a bit later, I think I got there in January last year but it was cold. It was good, it’s what pre-season is about. It was a tough day today. Getting us ready for the season. We know it’s going to be a long season. We’re going to have even more games this year than last year with Europe so just about us all getting fit and getting ready.”

On what stood out to him about Derry:

“I think one of the first things the manager said to me is we’re looking to go one step further this year. And that was one of the big things for me.”

“A club with ambition, manager with ambition, aiming to win the league.”

“It’s just about us as a group, us as a team, our unity together and then working hard every day to achieve our goal.”

Photo: Event Images Derry