Who is Damola Ajayi? Get to know the forward who scored on his Tottenham debut
Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 win against IF Elfsborg in the final matchday of the Europa League phase was a victory made in Tottenham, as three academy products got on the scoresheet. The scorer of the second goal, Damola Ajayi, might be a new name to many – but who is he? Let us find out.
Early years and rise through Tottenham’s academy
20-year-old Damola Ajayi’s footballing journey began at Bromley FC before he was scouted and brought into the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, where his talent was nurtured in a highly competitive environment, allowing him to develop at a club with a strong reputation for producing young talent.
While still a schoolboy at Haberdashers’ Aske School, he was given early exposure to under-18 football, making two appearances during the 2021/22 season, a sign that Tottenham’s coaching staff recognised his potential and sought to accelerate his development at Hotspur Way.
Damola Ajayi’s first professional contract
His progression within the academy became more structured in July 2022 when he signed on as a full-time scholar, committing himself to a professional pathway within the club while gaining invaluable experience at youth level.
The forward continued to improve, showing the technical ability and attacking instincts required to stand out, and on 18 January 2024, he reached a major milestone when he signed his first professional contract, confirming his standing as one of Tottenham’s most promising young forwards and earning a promotion to the under-21 squad.
Training with the first team
By the summer of 2024, Ajayi had begun training with the senior squad during pre-season, an opportunity that allowed him to experience the intensity and demands of Ange Postecoglou’s system, where he would have been exposed to the tactical expectations, pressing requirements, and technical standards demanded at first-team level.
This period of integration was crucial in his development, as it provided him with the chance to work alongside experienced professionals, improve his physicality, and adapt to the tempo of senior football.
First appearance in the senior matchday squad
His progress did not go unnoticed, and he was rewarded when he was named in a Tottenham first-team squad for the first time on 3 October 2024, making the bench for a UEFA Europa League fixture against Ferencvárosi TC.
While he did not make an appearance in that match, his inclusion in the squad reflected the growing confidence the coaching staff had in his abilities, suggesting that he was not far from making his competitive debut.
Signing a new contract and committing his future to Tottenham
Tottenham’s faith in Ajayi was reinforced when he signed a new contract extension in January 2025, a deal that ties him to the club until 2028, securing his long-term future and providing him with a clear development pathway.
The decision to extend his deal at this stage of his career highlights how highly he is rated within the club’s structure, and with his contract situation resolved, the focus has shifted entirely to his continued progress on the pitch.
Scoring on his senior Spurs debut in European competition
Ajayi’s breakthrough moment came on 30 January 2025, when he made his senior and professional debut for Tottenham as a substitute in a UEFA Europa League fixture against Swedish side IF Elfsborg, an occasion made even more memorable by the fact that he found the net in his first senior appearance, scoring Tottenham’s second goal in a 3-0 victory.
What comes next for Ajayi at Tottenham?
With his first senior appearance and goal now behind him, the challenge for Ajayi will be to continue proving himself and earning further minutes, especially in cup competitions or European fixtures where rotation is more likely.
Tottenham’s attacking options remain strong, but Ange Postecoglou has demonstrated a willingness to integrate young talent when they are ready, meaning Ajayi’s continued performances in training and youth-level matches will be key in determining his immediate future.
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