Wellington Phoenix FC has secured a key player for the next two seasons as Tottenham Hotspur academy product Josh Oluwayemi signed an extension, committing his future to the A-League side until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

The London-born goalkeeper joined the Phoenix in September 2023 and has quickly established himself as a crucial figure in the team, earning the number one spot and helping Phoenix maintain an unbeaten start to the season.

Oluwayemi’s road to New Zealand began in the English capital, where he spent over a decade with Tottenham Hotspur’s youth ranks before joining Portsmouth in 2022. His journey took a new turn when he signed a one-year deal with Wellington Phoenix, where his solid performances immediately caught the eye of head coach Giancarlo Italiano. Praising Oluwayemi’s impact, Italiano described the contract extension as a “good piece of business,” underscoring the young keeper’s value to the squad.

Reflecting on his move, the 23-year-old noted the fresh experience he’s enjoying with Phoenix, contrasting it with previous stints in England and Finland. While Oluwayemi remains pleased with his performance, he’s mindful of areas he wants to refine.

Oluwayemi’s international experience includes representing England at youth levels and earning a call-up to Nigeria’s senior national team in 2021 as a backup to Stanley Nwabali for a friendly against Mexico.