Josh Oluwayemi registered nine appearances during an 18 month-stay at Fratton Park.
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A former Pompey talent’s career is transforming his career in a surprise new destination.
Josh Oluwayemi arrived at Fratton Park in 2022 under Danny Cowley, having departed Tottenham Hotspur looking to establish himself in the EFL.
But after just nine first-team outings for the Blues, the young shot stopper departed PO4 in February 2024, marking a disappointing end to an 18-month stay.
After a stint in Finland’s top flight with FC Lahti, Oluwayemi is now flourishing with A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix.
The ex-Fratton keeper is enjoying an outstanding stay with the Nix and grabbed the headlines over the weekend after his heroics in the New Zealand derby against Auckland.
The ‘exceptional’ ex-Pompey man grabbing headlines Down Under
The Spurs academy graduate came to the rescue for Giancarlo Italiano’s side where he amassed 10 saves as well as two penalty stops.
It continues his fine spell in goal for Wellington, who currently sit seventh in the A-League after the opening seven matches of the campaign.
And the Nix boss has praised Oluwayemi’s contributions this term, branding the former Pompey man as ‘exceptional’.
He said: ‘The one-on-one was exceptional. It was a top save at a crucial moment. The one before half-time I think he should make, but he got down well.
‘Joshy is a good goalkeeper, he’s got big saves in him and he’s very capable of making those saves.’
Following his arrival in August 2024, Oluwayemi has featured 24 times for the Kiwi outfit and signed a new deal, which will keep him with the Nix until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
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John Mousinho on Josh Oluwayemi’s Pompey departure
Having arrived from Spurs after a period on trial under Cowley in 2022, the 24-year-old was second-choice behind Josh Griffiths in the Blues’ goalkeeping department, with his sole outings initially coming in the EFL Trophy.
Oluwayemi would get his chance between the sticks for Pompey in League One during a disappointing 3-0 defeat away at Bolton Wanderers in January 2023 under interim boss Simon Bassey.
The keeper featured just three more times for the Blues under John Mousinho before a frustrating loan stint with Chelmsford at the start of the 2023-24 campaign saw him depart PO4 on a permanent basis on February 1, 2024.
And the head coach admitted at the time a departure from Fratton was the ‘best thing’ for his career.
Mousinho said in January 2024: ‘Nothing is finalised at the moment, we are just working to make sure that both parties are happy with the terms.
‘It is amicable and I think it’s the best thing for Josh. The big game for us at the moment is to make sure he progresses in his career and moves on and I think this is the best possible way to do it.
‘If he has an opportunity to go elsewhere then we’ll do everything we can to make that happen.
‘It’s about opportunities. Josh’s opportunities here this year have been limited with how well Will has done. It’s very difficult for him to see that progression at this football club - and we don’t want to hold anyone’s future up.
‘I am sure Josh will go on and have a great career and that’s what it’s about for us, making sure he progresses down the line and makes a success of himself.’