Jonathan Afolabi

Jonathan Afolabi (born 14 January 2000) is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League. His previous clubs include Celtic, Dunfermline Athletic, Dundee, Ayr United, Airdrieonians and Bohemians.

Early career
Born and raised in Tallaght, Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland, Afolabi played his youth football with Mark Celtic, Shamrock Rovers, Lourdes Celtic, and St Joseph's Boys before earning a move to the Academy of Premier League club Southampton.

Celtic
On 21 August 2019, Afolabi joined Scottish Premiership Champions Celtic.

After various loan spells, his contract was not renewed on expiry at the end of June 2022.

Dunfermline Athletic (loan)
On 27 January 2020, Afolabi signed for Dunfermline Athletic of the Scottish Championship on loan until the end of the season. His debut in senior football came on 1 February 2020, in a 3–2 win away to Queen of the South. He made six appearances for the club, scoring twice, before the season was ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dundee (loan)
On 29 September 2020, Afolabi joined Dundee on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for the club at home in the league against Greenock Morton. He scored against Hearts and Ayr United in crucial games for Dundee as they won the promotion playoffs in the 2020–21 season.

Ayr United (loan)
On 2 August 2021, Afolabi signed for Ayr United on loan until the end of the season.

Airdrieonians (loan)
On 11 February 2022, Afolabi was recalled from Ayr and was immediately sent on loan to Scottish League One side Airdrieonians for the rest of the season.

Bohemians
On 5 August 2022, Afolabi returned home to Dublin, signing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemians. Afolabi was awarded the League of Ireland Player of the Month award for July 2023, after scoring nine total goals over seven consecutive games. He finished the 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division season as the joint-top league goalscorer and was named in the PFAI Team of the Year. He opened the scoring in the 2023 FAI Cup final but the Bohs lost the game to St Patrick's Athletic.

Kortrijk
On 29 December 2023, it was announced that Afolabi would be joining Belgian Pro League side Kortrijk for an undisclosed fee, from 1 January 2024 on a contract until June 2026. Afolabi made his debut on 20 January 2024, coming on as a substitute in a league victory away to Standard Liège. Afolabi scored his first goal for De Kerels in a league draw away to Club Brugge.

International career
Afolabi was born in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Afolabi has played for the Republic of Ireland right up to under-21 level. On 31 July 2019 he was named in the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament, alongside Ferran Torres and Félix Correia in the forward positions. He scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland U21s on 26 March 2021 in a 2–1 friendly win over Wales U21 in Wrexham.

On 8 September 2023, he received his first call up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad when he was included in the extended squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier at home to the Netherlands, but did not make the final squad.

Honours
Dundee
 * Scottish Premiership play-offs: 2021

Bohemians
 * Leinster Senior Cup: 2022–23

Individual
 * UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2019


 * League of Ireland Premier Division Top Goalscorer: 2023 (15 goals)


 * FAI Cup Top Scorer: 2023
 * PFAI Team of the Year: 2023


 * League of Ireland Player of the Month: July 2023