Olarenwaju Kayode has made headlines for a recent personal controversy. Kayode claimed that DNA tests had revealed he was not the biological father of his three children, a statement that his wife, Dora Kayode, vehemently denies.
This revelation has added a layer of complexity to his life, intertwining his football career with a highly publicised domestic dispute. This article therefore explores Kayode’s professional journey and the ongoing paternity issue that has captivated public attention.
Table of Content hide 1 Olarenwaju Kayode biography 2 Olarenwaju Kayode career 2.1 International career 2.2 Honours 3 Olarenwaju Kayode stats 3.1 For club 3.2 For Nigeria 4 Olarenwaju Kayode’s net worth 5 Olarenwaju Kayode family 5.1 Dora Kayode 6 Olarenwaju Kayode age 7 Olarenwaju Kayode NowOlarenwaju Kayode biography
Olarenwaju Ayobami Kayode, born on May 8, 1993, is a Nigerian international. Kayode’s football career took root in Nigeria, where he developed his abilities before gaining international attention in 2010.
His professional path commenced internationally when he signed a contract at Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire. He then moved to Europe where he showcased his talent on loan in Austria, Switzerland, Israel and Ukraine before eventually establishing himself in Turkey.
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Olarenwaju Kayode career
Olarenwaju Ayobami Kayode began his football journey with Marvelous FC in Ibadan before moving to Ghana to join Red Bull FC. In February 2010, he signed with the Ivorian club, ASEC Mimosas.
On February 2, 2012, Kayode went on loan to Swiss club FC Luzern until 30 November 2012. He subsequently joined the Israeli club, Maccabi Netanya, on a one-year contract on October 10, 2013. His success at Netanya, where he scored 13 goals and provided six assists, led to a four-year contract with FK Austria Wien. He marked his debut for Austria Wien on August 2, 2015, with a goal against SC Rheindorf Altach.
On August 17, 2017, Kayode was signed by Manchester City on a four-year deal and was immediately loaned to Girona for the 2017–18 season. He debuted in La Liga on 19 August 2017 in a 2–2 draw with Atlético Madrid.
On March 2, 2018, after terminating his loan at Girona, Kayode was loaned to Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine. Following a successful loan period, Shakhtar signed him permanently on June 8, 2018, for an undisclosed fee, securing him a five-year contract.
Kayode was loaned to the Turkish Süper Lig club, Gaziantep F.K., on 9 August 2019. The following year, on September 17, 2020, he was loaned to another Turkish side, Sivasspor, where he scored his first goal for the club in a Europa League match against Villarreal and netted another in a subsequent game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
After returning from Sivasspor, Kayode did not play for Shakhtar in the first half of the 2022–23 season. He was loaned to Ümraniyespor on 30 January 2023 until the end of that season.
In September 2023, Kayode joined Gençlerbirliği, a Turkish second-tier club, on a two-year deal. He expressed his excitement about the new challenge and promised to create “magical moments” for the club.
However, his time at Gençlerbirliği was short-lived. In March 2024, after just seven months, the club announced the termination of his contract by mutual consent. The official statement cited “family reasons” as the reason for Kayode’s departure.
International career
Kayode’s talent was spotted in Ghana, leading to his recommendation to the then Nigeria’s Under-17 coach, John Obuh. Following successful tryouts, he was selected for the U-17 World Cup squad.
In 2009, Kayode was part of Nigeria’s Under-17 team, playing in every match though never completing a full game or scoring. His teammates included Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo and Ramon Azeez.
He also played in the Under-20 World Cups in 2011 and 2013, netting five goals in total. Notably, he scored in consecutive group-stage matches during the 2011 tournament in Colombia.
Kayode made his senior debut for Nigeria on March 23, 2017, in a 1–1 draw with Senegal.
Honours
Kayode has achieved several honours throughout his career:
- With ASEC Mimosas, he won the Ligue 1 title in 2010.
- At Maccabi Netanya, he secured the Liga Leumit title in the 2013–14 season.
- He won the Ukrainian Premier League in 2017–18 and 2018–19, as well as the Ukrainian Cup in both those seasons.
- At Sivasspor, he claimed the Turkish Cup in the 2021–22 season.
Olarenwaju Kayode stats
Kayode’s career statistics, according to Transfer Market, are as follows.
For club
- For Austria Wien, he made 85 appearances, scored 37 goals, and provided 18 assists.
- With Sivasspor, he made 84 appearances, scored 19 goals, and provided 6 assists.
- For Maccabi Netanya, he appeared 33 times, scored 14 goals, and assisted 5 times.
- For Gaziantep FK, he made 29 appearances, scoring 10 goals and having 7 assists.
- At Shakhtar Donetsk, he played 24 matches, scored 4 goals, and had 2 assists.
- At Gençlerbirliği, he also had 20 appearances 3 goals, and 1 assist.
- For Girona, he had 13 appearances having 0 goals and 2 assists.
- At Ümraniyespor, he had 11 appearances, scoring 3 goals and having 0 assists.
- At Luzern U21, he made 11 appearances, scoring 4 goals, and 0 assists.
- At FC Luzern, he made just an appearance having 0 goals and 0 assists.
- At Çaykur Rizespor, he had 20 appearances, 5 goals, and 2 assists.
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For Nigeria
- For the Super Eagles, he has made just 4 appearances having no goal and assist.
- For Nigeria U-23, he made 3 appearances having no goal or assist.
- For Nigeria U-20, he made 18 appearances, having 6 goals, and no assist.
- For Nigeria U-17, he made 5 appearances having no goal and assists.
Olarenwaju Kayode’s net worth
According to reports, Kayode has an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Olarenwaju Kayode family
Kayode is married to Dora Kayode and they reportedly have three children together. However, in May 2024, Kayode claimed that DNA tests had confirmed he was not the biological father of his three children.
His wife, Dora, disputed her husband’s claims regarding a recent DNA test on their children conducted at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lagos.
Reports suggest that the children are fathered by a pastor with whom Dora allegedly had an affair.
Dora has vehemently denied these allegations, branding her husband a liar and demanding that he make the DNA test results public. She urged Kayode to provide the DNA test results to the public and the hospital where it was conducted, asserting her willingness to undergo the test again.
She accused her husband of traumatising their children by detaining them in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), sarcastically questioning his actions as a father.
In a letter posted on her Instagram page and written by her lawyer, Dora denied the allegations of paternity fraud and stated that no DNA tests had been conducted. She demanded that her husband issue an immediate retraction and threatened to take the matter to court if he failed to comply. The letter from her lawyers stated that since May 24, 2024, various blogs and online platforms had been spreading stories alleging that DNA tests revealed Kayode was not the biological father of the three children.
These accusations, according to the letter, have caused significant embarrassment to her and her children. She believes these allegations were intentionally planted by Kayode to damage her reputation and harm their children.
The letter demanded that within 24 hours, Kayode publicly disclaim the DNA test results on all his social media platforms, stating that no such test was conducted and that the purported results were false. The disclaimer is to be prominently displayed to ensure maximum visibility. Failure to comply, the letter warned, would lead her to seek full custody of the children in the ongoing divorce proceedings.
On her Instagram page, Dora also accused her husband of repeatedly humiliating her and the children. She recounted an incident where Kayode allegedly threatened her with a knife and criticised him for spreading false rumours that have impacted their children.
She denied ever selling her properties or cars to give proceeds to any religious leader, calling all the allegations against her baseless and false.
Dora Kayode
Dora Olanrewaju Kayode, an FA-licensed female football agent in Nigeria, is the wife and representative of Kayode. In 2020, she successfully arranged a loan move for her husband from Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk to Sivasspor in Turkey.
She completed her secondary education at the Federal Government Girls’ College in Umuahia, Abia State. A trained lawyer, Kayode studied at Madonna University in Okija, Anambra State, before attending the Nigerian Law School.
Dora Kayode has become a leading figure among football agents in Africa. She has leveraged her extensive experience to assist her husband and other footballers, helping them navigate the complexities of contractual agreements and providing crucial guidance to African players on off-pitch matters.
She has been recognised for her remarkable achievements and contributions to football. She was honoured as the “Outstanding Female Football Agent” of 2021 at the 11th Diamond Special Recognition Awards Worldwide held in Lagos.
Olarenwaju Kayode age
Kayode was born on May 8, 1993. He is 31 years old as of 2024.
Olarenwaju Kayode Now
Olanrewaju Kayode has recently been in the spotlight due to reports concerning a DNA test. The test allegedly revealed that he is not the biological father of his three children, a claim which has sparked significant controversy and debate.
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