Malik Owolabi-Belewu Explained

Malik Owolabi-Belewu
Fullname:Abdulmalik Timmy Owolabi-Belewu
Birth Date:3 July 2002
Birth Place:London, England
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Forge FC
Clubnumber:81
Youthclubs1:Junior Red Spartans
Youthclubs2:Whitecaps London SC
Youthyears3:2018–2020
Youthclubs3:Toronto FC
Youthyears4:2020–2021
Youthclubs4:SPAL
Years1:2022–
Clubs1:Forge FC
Caps1:39
Goals1:1
Club-Update:22:57, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

Abdulmalik Timmy Owolabi-Belewu (born 3 July 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League.

Early life

Born in London, England, Owolabi-Belewu began playing youth football with the Junior Red Spartans. When he was 13, he moved to London, Ontario, Canada with his family. He began playing with Whitecaps London SC, later being invited to try out for the official Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy, however, due to an injury, he was unable to make the team.[1] In 2018, he joined the Toronto FC Academy. While with the Toronto FC academy, he converted from striker to defender.[2]

In 2020, he returned to England. In June 2020, he was invited to trial with English club Chelsea,[3] however was unable to attend due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.[4] He also had interest from English clubs Crystal Palace and Sunderland, Italian club AS Roma, German club Hertha Berlin, Belgian club Anderlecht, and French club OGC Nice.[5] [6] In 2020, he had been set to join Phoenix Sports F.C. in the English eighth tier Isthmian League, however, before officially signing, Italian club SPAL invited him for a trial.

Club career

In 2020, he signed for Italian Serie B side SPAL.[7] He spent the majority of the time with the U19 squad, making the bench for the first team for two cup matches, but not making an appearance.[8]

In April 2022, he signed for Canadian Premier League club Forge FC.[9] On 14 May 2022, Owolabi-Belewu made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw with Atlético Ottawa. He scored his first goal on 1 October 2022, against York United.[10] He won the CPL title with the club in 2022.[11] [12] In October 2023, he helped Forge win their fourth league title, following a 2–1 win over Cavalry FC in the play-off final.[13]

International career

At international level, he is eligible to represent England through birth, Canada through residency, and Nigeria through his parents.[14]

In 2017, he attended a camp with the Canada U15 national team.

In 2019, he was invited to a camp with the Nigeria U17 team, but was unable to accept the call-up.[15]

In 2020, he committed to representing Nigeria at international level.[16] [17]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Forge FC2022Canadian Premier League181302[18] 000231
20231602010190
Career total341503000421

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Malik Owolabi-Belewu: Out Of The Blue. Freddie. Lammie. Secret Scout.
  2. Web site: England-Raised Malik Owolabi-Belewu Lives to Defend. 18 April 2024. Forge FC. Steve. Milton.
  3. Web site: Chelsea invited highly-rated Nigerian defender to train with club. 13 June 2020. Olasunkanmi. Ibikunle. Football Flakes.
  4. Web site: 'There was very strong interest' - SPAL CB Owolabi-Belewu opens up on failed Chelsea transfer. All Nigeria Soccer. 9 March 2021. Ifeanyi. Emmanuel.
  5. Web site: Report: Teen set to sign 4-year deal at 2nd tier club after Palace and Sunderland interest. Aiden. Cusick. HITC. 14 September 2020.
  6. Web site: HPA Student Signs 4 Year Contract in Italy. 16 October 2020. Holy Cross Catholic Academy.
  7. Web site: SPAL, in arrivo il difensore Owolabi-Belewu. Era stato in prova al Chelsea. SPAL, the defender Owolabi-Belewu is on the way. He had been on trial at Chelsea. it. Tommaso. Maschio. 14 September 2020.
  8. Web site: Forge FC sign English defender Owolabi-Belewu & development player Caldeira. 8 April 2022. Forge FC.
  9. Web site: Two Teenage Additions Join Forge FC. 8 April 2022. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques.
  10. Web site: Sights & Sounds: Forge FC 2-0 York United. 1 October 2022. Canadian Premier League. Charlie. O'Connor-Clarke.
  11. Web site: "I learned quite a lot": Malik Owolabi-Belewu looking to build on strong debut season. 14 April 2023. Canadian Premier League. Benedict. Rhodes.
  12. Web site: ‘It makes Canada feel more like home’: Familiar faces helping CPL’s Londoners thrive in new environments. 16 May 2023. Benedict. Rhodes. Canadian Premier League.
  13. Web site: Tierney . Mitchell . 28 October 2023 . Highlights + Analysis: Forge wins 2023 North Star Cup, defeating Cavalry to lift fourth playoff crown (Oct. 28, 2023) . 29 October 2023 . OneSoccer.
  14. Web site: SPAL CB reveals why he has committed international future to Nigeria over England. 16 March 2021. Ifeanyi. Emmanuel. All Nigeria Soccer.
  15. Web site: Malik Owolabi Snubs England And Canada And Pledges His International Allegiance To Nigeria. Sports Central Nigeria.
  16. Web site: Owolabi-Belewu: I Want To Make My Parents Proud By Playing For Nigeria. 28 September 2020. Mega Sports Arena.
  17. Web site: Owolabi-Belewu commits international future to Nigeria. 24 September 2020. First News Online.
  18. Includes appearance in the 2020 Canadian Championship final (played in 2022)