Tottenham duo's advice led to A-League move for Phoenix signing

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi said moving to the Isuzu UTE A-League was a “no-brainer” after hearing advice from a trio of A-Leagues graduates. He also discussed the influence of Tottenham legend Hugo Lloris and Joe Hart.

Oluwayemi is Wellington’s new number one goalkeeper after arriving from Finnish club FC Lahti for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, replacing Alex Paulsen in Wellington.

The 23-year-old English-Nigerian goalkeeper arrives having spent 11 years at Premier League giants Tottenham, where he played for their Under-18 and U23 teams before leaving for Portsmouth in 2022.

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Upon confirmation of his move to 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League semi-finalists Wellington, Oluwayemi explained how the move eventuated after talking with former Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United star Kusini Yengi, who now plays for Portsmouth in the EFL Championship.

He also mentioned Lahti’s Australian pair Dylan Fox (Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners) and Luka Ivanovic (Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory).

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“There was a scout that got in contact with me, asking me whether I’m interested in an A-League opportunity,” Oluwayemi told reporters.

“When I heard that, I was intrigued because I played with some boys (who came from) the A-League; Kusini Yengi, Dylan Fox, Luke Jovanovic and these guys gave me some good reviews about the A-League, and got me thinking about it.

“It’s funny how the world works but yeah, and then I now got into it, and the rest was history.”

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Oluwayemi left Portsmouth after four League One appearances in two years and joined Lahti permanently in 2024, playing 13 games following a loan stint at Chelmsford City last year.

He has represented England at U15 level, while he was also called up by Nigeria’s senior national team for a friendly against Mexico in 2021.

During Jose Mourinho’s tenure as Tottenham boss, he frequently included Oluwayemi in Spurs’ first-team training, where he learned from the likes of FIFA Men’s World Cup winner Lloris and Celtic legend Joe Hart.

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“For me, the blueprint was that after working with some top keepers at Tottenham, a lot of advice they gave me was going out to play,” Oluwayemi said.

“So when you ask the best in your industry what the best advice is and they will say the same thing, it’s a no brainer for me what I had to go and do.

“I didn’t waste any time; every move and thing I’ve done has been in the pursuit to play and in the pursuit to better my skills and make a better all round goalkeeper.

“Even from Tottenham, like they understood we were on the same page. And, luckily, all the clubs have done what’s best for my development and career.

“I applaud them for that because they could easily do something else but after good discussions, they were able to do that, and for me, it’s benefited my career so far.”

Asked about learning from Lloris and Hart at Tottenham, Oluwayemi said: “It was top, absolutely top.

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“They gave me bundles of information. Joe Hart, top professional, top guy, you know, Hugo, top professional, top guy as well.

“They’ve given me so much advice and they still continue to here and there. So for me it’s been a pleasure to work with them, and it’s what you need as a young keeper in your career to hear from the best of the best, what the standard is, and how they how they act and they live their life.”

Oluwayemi is the 19th player contracted to Wellington’s Isuzu UTE A-League squad for the 2024-25 campaign, and joins Luke Brooke-Smith, Marco Rojas and Paulo Retre as new faces at the Phoenix.

But Wellington’s new no.1 still harbours aspirations of playing in Europe and takes heart from Paulsen’s transfer to Premier League side Bournemouth from the Phoenix.

“I have big aspirations to play in the top five leagues in the world, in Europe as well. At some point in my career, I would say nationally as well,” he insisted.

“I want to hit heights, many heights nationally, for Nigeria and things like that, but I try to just take it day by day, step by step, and focus on doing what I need to do and where I’m at.

“But this league definitely does have a big, big pool in terms of people and clubs that are looking around the world, you know? So, the long-term goal is to play as high as possible and just get the most out of my career.”