Orient sign centre back Tunji Akinola on loan from West Ham for season

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

Who is Akinola?

[Real Al]

West Ham U23, ball-playing centre back, can play right back.

To be fair, their U23s gave us a tonking, so may be pretty good. Probably got more speed than the rest of the CBs added together

[Tom Chance]

Was it really necessary to start a separate thread for this news?

[Real Al]

Was it really necessary to start a separate thread for this news?

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

Was it really necessary to start a separate thread for this news?

Possibly not. Thing is in 15 mins after lots of discussion some old lazy wally would have started a new one anyway. This at least avoids the same things being discussed again in two places because it announced something new.

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

From the Leyton Orient website



LEYTON ORIENT ARE DELIGHTED TO CONFIRM THAT WEST HAM DEFENDER OLATUNJI AKINOLA HAS SIGNED FOR THE CLUB ON A SEASON LONG LOAN.
The 21-year-old ball playing centre-back has made over 50 appearances for West ham U23’s and played 90 minutes against Orient in pre-season.

Head Coach Ross Embleton is delighted to have Akinola for the season, having spent a long time monitoring the player:

“He’s a player that we have been following and talking to West Ham about for a long time now. There were plenty of things we had to make sure were right for Tunji and right for us. We’re delighted to have him, and we look forward to working with him.”

The highly rated defender, who has been with the Hammers since the age of 9, is eager to get started for Orient.

“I’m a defender first and foremost, I like to make tackles and blocks, and get clean sheets – it’s what I pride myself on.”

“I feel like this is the perfect opportunity for me to kick on to the next level.”


“We’ve played about 4 or 5 games in our league and in the EFL Trophy, so I’m fit and raring to go.”

“I’ve played under 23 football for a while, but this is the challenge I need, challenging every Tuesday and Saturday for three points.”

‘Akinola is the third new recruit of the summer, following the permanent signing of Ouss Cissè and the temporary capture of Jordan Thomas from Norwich.

Olatunji will take the number 18 jersey and will train with his new team for the first-time tomorrow morning, ahead of the weekend’s clash with Barrow.

“He will train with the group tomorrow,” said Ross Embleton. “As far as I’m concerned, he is a big part of the squad but like any player he will have to play his way into the team, so we will see how the week pans out in regard to the weekend.”

[BiggsyMalone]

Hopefully he’s a good player. Looking forward to seeing him play

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

Hopefully he’s a good player. Looking forward to seeing him play

Hope so too. Pretty sure West Ham won't want him coming here to warm the seats in the stand.

[Chicken Dhansak]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

Just like other players, right?

[Chicken Dhansak]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

Just like other players, right?

Exactly!!

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

If he’s an upgrade on Coulson then play him. If he’s not why bring him in?

[Disoriented]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

If he’s an upgrade on Coulson then play him. If he’s not why bring him in?

Exactly.

[BIGRON]

Bench warmer Saturday

[RedDwarf 1881]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

Although Ross said that I would be surprised if he doesn't start the game on Saturday.

[greyhound]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

If he’s an upgrade on Coulson then play him. If he’s not why bring him in?

spot on AP how many clubs do that sign a player saying
this is the one we been waiting for then he warms the seat. 🛋

[Story of O]

Mansfield had a few loan players on Saturday, wonder how long they took to play their way into the team.

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

Mansfield had a few loan players on Saturday, wonder how long they took to play their way into the team.

Who cares. Different teams loan different players for different reasons.

[moonwalk19]

Boss says he will have play his way into the team, so that's anytime after mid-November then.

If he’s an upgrade on Coulson then play him. If he’s not why bring him in?

Exactly.

I don’t think Coulson will be able to last the season with so many games in a short period of time. He has been brought in as cover. If he is good enough then we will see a lot of him.

[BiggsyMalone]

I can’t remember a loan player Orient had that went straight into the team. It took them until mid-December to start Marsh every week.

[spen666]

I can’t remember a loan player Orient had that went straight into the team. It took them until mid-December to start Marsh every week.

Harry Kane?

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Good move to give Happe the armband last night, just to let everyone know where he stands in the squad.

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

If he’s an upgrade on Coulson then play him. If he’s not why bring him in?

Exactly.

I don’t think Coulson will be able to last the season with so many games in a short period of time. He has been brought in as cover. If he is good enough then we will see a lot of him.

For this reason the ideal situation was to go out and get an improved centre back on a permanent deal, integrate him into the team and then in effect you're succession planning for when Coulson needs to be put out to pasture or his contract expires next summer, whichever comes first.

Unless Akinola is someone who is potentially available next year and we're giving him a chance to show he can be that person that is, but no guarantees with a loanee.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Was never going to happen.

Marvin would have been on relatively low wages. We'll only bring in the expensive, experienced pro when Coulson goes, especially in the current economic climate.