Adebayo Adeleye is the Hapoel Jerusalem goalkeeper who has given the Super Eagles fans hope of finally finding a replacement for Vincent Enyeama.
Since the retirement of the former Lille and Super Eagles goalkeeper, the Nigeria national team has struggled to fill the big shoes he left behind.
After several tryouts for different goalkeepers, Nigeria may have found the answer in Adebayo Adeleye.
There is not much information in the public domain about Adebayo Adeleye, who has drawn comparisons with Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana.
However, in this piece, we will try to unveil the man behind the mask.
Adebayo Adeleye Biography
Adebayo Adeleye was born in Warri, Delta State of Nigeria, on May 17, 2000. The former Nigeria U-17 and U-20 goalkeeper has little background information in the public domain.
However, his career path has been filled with favour. Adeleye did not feature in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) before finding himself in Israel.
Born and bred in Warri, one can imagine the arduous road to where he is now, but he can be proud of his modest achievements.
Club career
Adebayo Adeleye started his football career at a young age.
He started at B-United Football Academy in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. He hoped to get a contract with any NPFL side, but fate had a different career path for him.
He joined Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem in 2018 straight from the football academy.
Adeleye joined the Israeli club academy before promotion came a year later. In 2019, he got his chance for a senior debut for the club when he was between the sticks against Hapoel Rishon LeZion.
When Adeleye joined the Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem, they were in the Liga Leumit (Division 2).
Adeleye made massive contributions to the club and helped them gain promotion to the Israeli Premier League.
With 19 clean sheets, Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem finished as runners-up in the Liga Leumit.
He made his first Israeli Premier League debut in August 2021, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw with Hapoel Nof HaGalil.
Adeleye also finished the 2022/23 season as a nominee for the best goalkeeper in the league.
Following his brilliant performance for his side, the club rewarded him with a three-year contract extension till 2026.
International career
Adeleye has featured for Nigeria at the youth level. He was part of the Nigeria U17 in 2017 and the 2018 Nigeria national under-20 football team.
The U-17 team failed to qualify for the AFCON, while he did not the squad to the AFCON in Niger in 2019. The coach, Paul Aigbogun, preferred other goalkeepers ahead of him.
After several calls from Nigerians to give the young goalkeeper a look in, Adeleye got his first call-up to the Super Eagles in June 2022.
He also made his senior international debut in a 3–2 win over Sierra Leone on 18 June 2023.
Salary
Adebayo Adeleye is one of the goalkeepers with the highest value in the Israel Premier League. He has a current market value of around €400,000.
It feels good to be back. 💪🏾
Can’t wait for the new season to begin. 🇳🇬🧤 pic.twitter.com/HpYsUM5JNa
— ADEBAYO ADELEYE (@GAdebayoAdeleye) July 26, 2023
The salary of the Nigerian goalkeeper is unknown, but with his recent contract extension and increase in salary, Adeleye could be earning between $25,000 – $30,000 per week.
Networth and Cars
The finances of Adeleye are wrapped in a secret veil, with little information on the goalkeeper, but from the little in the public domain, his worth should be between $500,000 and $1 million.
Girlfriend
Adebayo Adeleye has succeeded in keeping his marital profile from the public domain. As far as we can tell, he is not married, and if there is any woman in his life, Adeleye is not telling.
Adeleye joined Twitter in March 2022. He is following 24 people and has 8,536 Followers.
Twitter handle: @GAdebayoAdeleye
Dream debut done ✅ and dusted. 🇳🇬🦅 🧤
Thank you to everyone for believing in me & for the support. 🙏🏾💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/BQVk4b8jPb
— ADEBAYO ADELEYE (@GAdebayoAdeleye) June 19, 2023
Honours and Statistics
| Year | Team | Matches Played | Goals conceded | Clean sheets | Yellow | Red |
| 2023/2024 | Hapoel Jerusalem | 2 | 3 | – | – | – |
| 2022/2023 | Hapoel Jerusalem | 31 | 38 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021/2022 | Hapoel Jerusalem | 26 | 35 | 7 | 2 | – |
| 2020/2021 | Hapoel Jerusalem | 32 | 17 | 19 | 3 | – |
| 2019/2020 | Hapoel Jerusalem | 33 | 29 | 15 | 2 | – |
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
