Isaac Tanitoluwaloba Aduraoluwatimileyin Olaofe (born 21 November 1999), also known as "Tanto",[2] is an English professional footballer who plays for EFL League One club Stockport County as a striker.

Olaofe came through the youth system of Millwall, and spent time on loan with Sutton United and St Johnstone. He returned to Sutton on loan for the 2020–21 season, and was the club's top scorer that season with 16 goals, helping them win the league to be promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history. He was once again loaned to Sutton the following season. After making his Millwall debut in 2022, he signed for Stockport County in 2023. He was the top scorer for Stockport with 20 goals in the 2023–24 season as they were crowned champions of League Two.

Career

Millwall

Early career

Raised in Dartford, Olaofe played county football for Kent.[3] He had trials with Crystal Palace and Millwall.[3] He signed for Millwall after impressing in his six-week trial, joining at the age of 14.[3][4][5] He signed his first professional contract in May 2018.[6] He extended his contract in May 2019.[7]

2019–20 season: First loan to Sutton United

He moved on loan to Sutton United in February 2020.[8] He made his debut on 22 February in a 2–2 home draw with Barrow, and scored his first goal in his final game for the club, a 1–1 draw with Hartlepool United on 14 March.[9] He scored 1 goal in 5 league games for the club, although the season was ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11]

Loan to St Johnstone

After extending his contract with Millwall in June 2020,[12] he moved on loan to Scottish club St Johnstone in July.[13][14] He said he was looking forward to working with St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson, who had previously been the assistant manager at Millwall.[15][16] He made his debut for the club in a 0–3 defeat away at Rangers on 12 August.[17] On 5 October, Olaofe's loan was terminated by mutual consent, having only made two substitute appearances for the club, 41 minutes in total.[18][19] St Johnstone captain Liam Gordon later said of him, "Maybe we didn’t get the best out of Tanto but I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s a great lad – a proper, genuine boy who gave everything. It’s just wasn’t the right place at the right time."[19]

Second loan to Sutton United

Later that month he returned to Sutton United on loan, initially until January 2021.[20][21] On 10 October, he made his debut in a 1–0 win over Weymouth.[17] He scored his first goals back at the club with a hat-trick in a 5–1 defeat of King's Lynn Town on 14 November 2020.[22] His loan was extended to the end of the season in January 2021, after scoring 5 goals in 14 games for Sutton.[23] At the end of the season, Sutton were crowned champions and promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history.[24] Olaofe was Sutton's top scorer for the season with 16 goals in all competitions, and won the Young Player of the Year award.[25]

2021–22 season: Third loan to Sutton United

In June 2021, Olaofe signed a new contract with Millwall.[26] He returned to Sutton United on loan for the rest of the season on 31 August 2021.[27] After sustaining a hip flexor injury in pre-season, he made his Football League debut on 25 September in a 4–0 win over Carlisle United.[28][29] He scored his first goal in his second loan spell in a 2–0 victory over Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy on 12 October.[30] His first league goal came on 16 October, scoring the winner in a 1–0 win over Crawley Town.[31] He made a substitute appearance in the 2022 EFL Trophy final against Rotherham United on 3 April 2022, which ended in a 4–2 defeat.[32] He ended the season with 9 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.[33] In total, he made 80 appearances and scored 26 times across his three loans for Sutton.[34]

2022–23 season: Final season with Millwall

In the summer of 2022, Olaofe was set to join League One club Barnsley on loan. However, Barnsley were unable to complete the paperwork in time, and the move fell through.[35] He signed a new contract on 5 September 2022, stating he would remain at Millwall for the "foreseeable future".[36][37] He made his competitive debut for Millwall on 2 August in a 1–0 defeat against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup.[38][39] He made his Championship debut on 13 August in a 3–2 win over Coventry City.[40] By December, Olaofe had only made two Championship appearances for Millwall and, with competition from Tom Bradshaw and Benik Afobe, manager Gary Rowett said Olaofe was free to leave in January 2023.[41]

Stockport County

2022–23 season

On 30 December 2022, it was announced that Olaofe would join Stockport County once the transfer window opened on 1 January 2023, for an undisclosed fee.[42] He made his debut on 8 January in an FA Cup match against Walsall, which Stockport lost 2–1.[43] His league debut came on 14 January in a 2–0 win over Northampton Town.[44] On 11 February, he scored his first goal in a 3–1 win over Harrogate Town.[45] At the end of the season, Olaofe started the play-off final on 28 May against Carlisle United, but lost 5–4 on penalties.[46] He finished his debut season with Stockport with 3 goals in 22 appearances.[47]

2023–24 season

Olaofe started the season opener, a 1–0 defeat to Gillingham on 5 August 2023.[48] His first goal of the season came on 15 August, in a 1–1 draw against Bradford City.[49] On 23 September 2023, he scored his first Football League hat-trick in a 5–0 win over Wrexham.[50] This also made him the first Stockport player to score a hat-trick in the Football League since Carl Baker in 2009.[51] At the end of the season, Stockport were announced as League Two champions.[52] Olaofe was Stockport's top scorer with 20 goals in 43 games, which also made him the first Stockport player since Luke Beckett in the 2002–03 season to score 20 goals in a Football League campaign.[52]

2024–25 season

Olaofe extended his contract by three years in June 2024.[2] After going through a minor surgery, he scored in his first appearance of the season on 17 August in a 3–0 win over Blackpool.[53]

Personal life

Olaofe attended Wilmington Grammar School. While at Millwall, Olaofe was also studying for a Business Management degree at the Open University.[54] His nickname "Tanto" is an abbreviated form of his middle name.[55]

Career statistics

As of match played 8 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Millwall 2019–20[9] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020–21[17] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021–22[33] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022–23[47] Championship 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Total 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Sutton United (loan) 2019–20[56] National League 5 1 0 0 — — 5 1
St Johnstone (loan) 2020–21[17] Scottish Premiership 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Sutton United (loan) 2020–21[56] National League 37 14 1 0 — 3[a] 2 41 16
Sutton United (loan) 2021–22[33] League Two 27 8 2 0 0 0 5[b] 1 34 9
Stockport County 2022–23[47] League Two 18 2 1 0 0 0 3[c] 1 22 3
2023–24[49] League Two 43 20 2 0 1 0 2[b] 1 48 21
2024–25[57] League One 32 5 3 1 0 0 4[b] 2 39 8
Total 93 27 6 1 1 0 9 4 109 32
Career total 166 50 9 1 2 0 17 7 194 58
  1. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs

Honours

Sutton United

Stockport County

Individual

  • Sutton United Young Player of the Season: 2020–21[25]

References

  1. ^ "EFL Squad Numbering" (PDF). English Football League. p. 43. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Olaofe signs three-year Stockport deal". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Richard Cawley (28 May 2021). "Millwall striker Isaac Olaofe on Sutton United title win and his plan to capture all of the celebrations". South London Press. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Isaac Olaofe". www.millwallfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Isaac Olaofe departs Millwall". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Millwall announce retained list". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  7. ^ "Millwall announce retained list". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Isaac Olaofe joins Sutton United on loan". www.millwallfc.co.uk.
  9. ^ a b "Games played by Isaac Olaofe in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Isaac Olaofe".
  11. ^ "From The Boardroom – 7". Sutton United F.C. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Millwall Football Club Retained List 2019/20". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  13. ^ "St Johnstone: Millwall's Isaac Olaofe and Danny McNamara sign on loan". BBC Sport. 14 July 2020.
  14. ^ Nicolson, Eric (14 July 2020). "St Johnstone complete loan signing double from Millwall".
  15. ^ Bannerman, Gordon (24 July 2020). "St Johnstone new boy Isaac 'Tanto' Olaofe opens up on furthering his football education in Scotland and working with Callum Davidson again".
  16. ^ Gallagher, Matthew (23 July 2020). "Isaac Olaofe ready to learn as Millwall loanee looks to shine for St Johnstone". Daily Record.
  17. ^ a b c d "Games played by Isaac Olaofe in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Olaofe returns to Lions". www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  19. ^ a b Eric Nicolson (24 November 2023). "Striker who lasted just 2 months at St Johnstone now key man at record-breaking EFL side". The Courier. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  20. ^ "Millwall boss on future of National League striker – and it could be extra incentive for Sutton United". Southwark News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  21. ^ "Isaac Oloafe returns ahead of Weymouth trip". 9 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Sutton United 5–1 King's Lynn Town". BBC Sport. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Promising Millwall centre-forward has loan deal extended until the end of the season". Southwark News. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  24. ^ "Sutton United 3–0 Hartlepool United: Us win National League title". BBC Sport. 23 May 2021.
  25. ^ a b @suttonunited (30 May 2021). "Our end of season awards took place at GGL last night. 🏆 Club player of the year - Craig Eastmond 🏆 Players play…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "Millwall academy graduates extend Lions stay". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Sutton re-sign Millwall striker Olaofe". BBC Sport.
  28. ^ Richard Cawley (3 September 2021). "Isaac Olaofe: I know I'll get a chance to impress at Millwall". South London Press. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  29. ^ "Millwall loan watch: Forward makes Football League debut as Sutton United continue good start". Southwark News. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  30. ^ Richard Cawley (14 October 2021). "Loan watch: Millwall striker is back on the goal trail as centre-back has to settle for substitute role". South London Press. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  31. ^ Kai Bennett (18 October 2021). "Loan watch: Lions striker grateful for patience as he nets late winner for Sutton United". South London Press. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  32. ^ "Match report for Rotherham United 4 Sutton United 2". Sutton United F.C. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  33. ^ a b c "Games played by Isaac Olaofe in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Black History Month – player memories part 2". Sutton United F.C. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  35. ^ Richard Cawley (6 January 2023). "Isaac Olaofe opens up on failed summer loan move to Barnsley, exit from Millwall and signing for Stockport County". South London Press. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  36. ^ "Isaac Olaofe: Millwall striker signs new contract for 'foreseeable future'". BBC Sport. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  37. ^ "Millwall's Isaac Olaofe signs new contract". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  38. ^ "Millwall exit Carabao Cup at Cambridge United". Millwall F.C. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  39. ^ Alex Jones (3 August 2022). "Gary Rowett praises Millwall striker on debut". Southwark News. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  40. ^ "Millwall beat Coventry City in comeback win". Millwall F.C. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  41. ^ Alex Jones (27 December 2022). "Isaac Olaofe given exit option as Millwall accept offers". Southwark News. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  42. ^ "Stockport County sign Millwall striker Olaofe". BBC Sport. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  43. ^ "Stockport County 1-2 Walsall: Saddlers set up FA Cup fourth round tie against Leicester City". BBC Sport. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  44. ^ "Match Report: County 2-0 Northampton Town". Stockport County. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  45. ^ "Harrogate Town 1-3 Stockport County". BBC Sport. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  46. ^ "League Two Play-Off Final Match Report: County 1-1 Carlisle United (Carlisle win 5-4 on penalties)". Stockport County. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  47. ^ a b c "Games played by Isaac Olaofe in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Match Report: County 0-1 Gillingham". Stockport County. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  49. ^ a b "Games played by Isaac Olaofe in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  50. ^ "Match Report: County 5-0 Wrexham AFC". Stockport County. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  51. ^ "Sky Bet League Two: Post-match stat pack". EFL. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  52. ^ a b "Our title-winning season in numbers…". Stockport County. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  53. ^ "Match Report: Blackpool 0-3 County". Stockport County. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  54. ^ John Kelly (22 October 2021). "Isaac Olaofe interview: Studying for a degree, inspiring others and making history with Sutton". Southwark News. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  55. ^ "Tanto excited about "huge opportunity"". St Johnstone. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  56. ^ a b Isaac Olaofe at Soccerway
  57. ^ "Games played by Isaac Olaofe in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  58. ^ Phillips, Owen (23 May 2021). "Sutton win National League to reach EFL". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  59. ^ Chris Peddy (3 April 2022). "Rotherham beat Sutton after extra time to win EFL Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  60. ^ "Join us in League One next season". Stockport County. 7 May 2024.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Olaofe
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