Abiola Bamijoko
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Abiola "Abi" Bamijoko | ||
| Date of birth | 14 March 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Helsinki, Finland | ||
| Height | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | IFK Helsinki | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2023 | Sampdoria U18 | ||
| 2023– | IFK Helsinki | ||
| International career | |||
| North Macedonia | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Abiola "Abi" Bamijoko (born 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Helsinki IFK and the North Macedonian Youth Team [1]. He was born in Finland to a Nigerian father and a mother of Macedonian and Turkish descent.[2]
Early Life and Background
Bamijoko was born in Helsinki, Finland, to a Nigerian father and a mother from Skopje, of Macedonian and Turkish descent. He speaks Finnish, Macedonian, Serbian, English, and Italian.[2]
Football Career
Bamijoko began his football career at a young age in Finland, joining a youth team at the age of 6. He was called up to the North Macedonia Youth Team after turning 16. Bamijoko's talent was displayed prominently in May 2022 when he delivered an outstanding performance against Austria [2], which further solidified his place on the Macedonian national team. His career then took him to Italy, where he joined Italian club Sampdoria's U18 squad. This stint in Italy was a transformative period for Bamijoko, where he was able to develop further as a player. In 2023, he joined to the Finnish club Helsinki IFK for the 2023 season.[3][4]
Technical Features
Standing at 1.94 m, Bamijoko is a formidable figure on the pitch. As a left-footed defender, he is known for his physical strength and surprising speed similar in style and stature to the Saudi Arabia defender Mohamed Kanno.[2]
Personal Life
Beyond football, Bamijoko embraces his multicultural background, drawing from his Nigerian, Macedonian, Turkish, and Finnish heritage.[2]
References
- ^ "Abiola Bamijoko Joins HIFK, Representing North Macedonian Youth". HIFK Fotboll. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
- ^ a b c d e "Abiola Bamijoko Player Profile". HIFK Fotboll. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
- ^ "Macedonian youth representative Abiola Bamiyoko has signed for Sampdoria". Sloboden Pecat. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
- ^ "Abiola Bamijoko Profile". Transfermarkt. Retrieved 2023-07-22.