Height: 5’11″
Weight: 160
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigeria
Birthdate: 12/05/05
Last Club: FK Ekranas (Lithuania)
LAST SEASON
Adewale Obalola had a solid breakout year in the USL Championship with the Green & Blue. At just 20 years old, he made 23 appearances with 10 starts and logged 906 minutes over the course of the 2025 regular season. Coming in to bolster Hartford’s front line, Obalola added one assist and two goals to his stat sheet. He also contributed 10 key passes, 15 crosses, six shots and three shots on goal to help power the Green & Blue offense. Defensively, Obalola provided six clearances and five interceptions, while winning 14 of 19 tackles, 85 of 159 duels and 17 of 39 aerial duels.
Obalola made four appearances – with three starts – during Athletic’s quest for the crown in the USL Jägermeister Cup, logging 203 minutes over the course of the tournament. The 5’11” forward fired off five shots and placed three on target, while also adding five successful dribbles to his stat sheet. Additionally, Obalola completed 27 passes for a 73% passing accuracy. On the defensive side of the ball, the Lagos, Nigeria native won one tackle and contributed three interceptions. In the final versus Sacramento Republic, Obalola was extremely close to finding the back of the net, posting an individual xG of 0.97.
USL EXPERIENCE
The 2025 season was Obalola’s first season in the USL Championship. His stellar performance earned him a Final Four spot for the club’s Offensive Player of the Year award.
OUTSIDE THE USL
The Nigerian forward spent two seasons with FK Ekranas of the Pirma Lyga, Lithuania’s second tier, from 2023-24. The 20-year-old proved to be a dynamic playmaker and goalscorer for Ekranas, netting 15 goals and dishing out 11 assists across 30 appearances.
HONORS & AWARDS
- Nominated for Hartford Athletic Fans’ Choice Offensive Player of the Year (2025)
