December 4, 2024...Shola Jimoh returns to The Nine Stripes for 2025 (from York United FC website)

Shola Jimoh returns to The Nine Stripes for 2025

The 16-year-old had an incredible debut season - for club and country.

PUTTING ON A SHO

After a spectacular season for club and country, Shola Jimoh is returning to The Nine Stripes for 2025.

The 16-year-old signed an Exceptional Young Talent contract in June and has blossomed ever since. The phenom made his professional debut in a 2-2 home draw with Vancouver FC and it wasn't long before he capitalized on the opportunities presented to him.

In his third appearance, Jimoh came off the bench away to Cavalry FC and scored a game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory. becoming the second-youngest goalscorer in Canadian Premier League history.

There was plenty more to come as he netted once again at home to Valour FC on his very first professional start, and with his family watching in the stands.

With the team battling for a playoff place, Jimoh conjured a magnificent moment in a crucial home clash with Atletico Ottawa, as he stepped inside and thumped a brilliant right-footed strike past Nathan Ingham for another game-winner.

Jimoh enjoyed facing the club's provincial rivals because he grabbed his fourth goal of the season in a playoff showdown at TD Place in astonishing circumstances. With the home side leading by a goal and 94 minutes on the clock, Jimoh latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and curled an extraordinary shot inside the far post to level affairs and secure extra-time.

Despite a subsequent shootout defeat, Jimoh received a significant boost a few days later when CANMNT Head Coach Jesse Marsch sent him a text inviting him to a Toronto training hub in advance of the Concacaf Nations League games against Suriname.

"He shows some real cleverness on the ball at times, some explosiveness in the way he plays. But also intelligence, in that when I try to give him little things to be thinking about, he’s able to apply them quickly", Marsch told reporters.

After that, Jimoh joined up with the Canada U-17s for two friendly games against Costa Rica and Mexico. In the latter game, he scored his very first goal for his country by tucking away a penalty after being brought down in the area.

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