Bolu Akinyode

Boluwatife Akinyode (born 30 May 1994) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for El Paso Locomotive in the USL Championship.

Youth and college
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Akinyode moved to the United States and joined the New York Red Bulls Academy. He captained the U-16 Academy team and was a member of the under-18 and under-23 squads. Akinyode also played college soccer for Seton Hall University from 2011 to 2014. While with the Pirates the holding midfielder played in 63 matches scoring 5 goals and recording 4 assists.

He also played in the Premier Development League for NJ-LUSO Parma.

Professional
Akinyode signed with New York Red Bulls II on April 18, 2015. He made his debut for the club on the same day, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw against the Charleston Battery. On September 5, 2015 Akinyode scored his goal as a professional, scoring the winning goal on a late header in a 3-2 victory over Louisville City FC.

On December 11, 2015, Akinyode signed with Bethlehem Steel FC.

On January 30, 2017, North Carolina FC announced they had signed Akinyode.

On January 4, 2018, Akinyode signed with USL side Nashville SC.

On December 17, 2019, Akinyode joined Birmingham Legion FC.

On January 15, 2021, Akinyode signed with USL Championship side Miami FC.

Akinyode signed with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive on 6 November 2023 ahead of their 2024 season.

International
Akinyode has represented Nigeria at the U-14 national team level. In 2012 Akinyode was called up for a United States men's national under-20 soccer team training camp by Tab Ramos.