Biography
Tall midfield powerhouse Olofinjana came to Hull City in July 2009, transferring from Stoke City. He slotted into Phil Brown’s Premier League first team and scored his first (and only) City goal against his previous club. Seyi drifted out of the first team as relegation loomed, and he spent 2010/11 on loan at Cardiff City (scoring for the Bluebirds against City). He returned to the KC Stadium for 2011/12 but a knee injury limited his game-time severely. He had a bigger role in 2012/13 but spent the latter part of this, his last season at City, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olofinjana played for local Nigerian sides up to the age of 23 as he completed a degree on Chemical Engineering. In 2003 he headed a long way north, signing for Swedish side Brann Bergen. Within two years he was snapped up by Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he consolidated his reputation as an elegant midfield operator. When Stoke City and Hull City were both promoted to the Premier League in May 2008, but Wolves were not, Olofinjana joined the Potteries side. He played half the Premier League games during his sole season at Stoke, before joining the Tigers.
Olofinjana signed a short term contract for Sheffield Wednesday in October 2013, four months after his City contract expired. He left the Owls at the end of 2013, and it was midway through 2014 before Olofinjana reappeared in Norway, signing for Start. After a few games in Kristianstad, Seyi’s playing career drew to a close. Olofinjana returned to Wolves in 2015, joining the coaching staff and fulfilling various roles over the next four years including Under-23s coach and Loans Pathway Manager. In April 2021 Seyi was appointed Sporting Director as Swiss top flight side Grasshoppers Zurich, a post he left in June 2022. In June 2024 Seyi was appointed to Chelsea’s scouting network, leading on acquiring talent from across Africa.
Olofinjana was awarded 52 senior caps for Nigeria, making his debut in 2000 while playing in the Nigerian league.
Details
Nationality: Nigeria
Date/Place of Birth: 30 June 1980, Lagos (Nigeria)
Hull City First Game: 15 August 2009, Chelsea A (Premier League), 29 years, 46 days old
Hull City Final Game: 19 February 2013, Blackburn Rovers H (Championship), 32 years, 234 days old
Clubs
Crown (1998-1999), Kwara United (1999-2003), Brann Bergen (2003-2004), Wolverhampton Wanderers (2004-2008), Stoke City (2008-2009), Hull City (2009-2013), Cardiff City (2010-2011, loan), Sheffield Wednesday (2013, loan), Sheffield Wednesday (2013), Start (2014)
Hull City Record
Career: 40 apps, 1 goals
Seyi Olofinjana| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009/10 | 11 (8) | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2010/11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2011/12 | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2012/13 | 9 (3) | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |