// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's James Debayo? A bay-o utiful singer?
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Boluwatife Debayo[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 July 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Hillingdon, London, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.89 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Swindon Town (on loan from Hull City) | ||
| Number | 18 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2021 | Watford | ||
| 2021–2025 | Leeds United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2025 | Leeds United | 1 | (0) |
| 2026– | Hull City | 0 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Swindon Town | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2022 | England U17 | 2 | (0) |
| 2023 | England U18 | 6 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:51, 2 July 2026 (UTC) | |||
James Boluwatife Debayo (born 11 July 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League Two club Swindon Town on loan from Premier League club Hull City.
Club career
[edit]A product of the Watford academy, Debayo signed a two year scholarship deal with Leeds United in July 2021.[3] He made his English Football League debut for Leeds on 24 November 2024 in the 4–3 EFL Championship away win against Swansea City as an 89th-minute substitute for Dan James.[4] He was offered a new contract by the club in May 2025,[5] but ultimately left the club that summer.[6]
In January 2026 Debayo signed for Hull City.[6][7]
On 2 July 2026, Debayo joined Swindon Town on a season-long loan spell.[8]
International career
[edit]Born in England, Debayo is of Nigerian descent.[9] In June 2022 he started for England U17 in a defeat against USA.[10] The following year saw him represent England U18.[11]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 24 November 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leeds United | 2024–25[12] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
References
[edit]- ↑ "EFL – Squad List 2025/26: Hull City – Under 21 Contract players" (PDF). English Football League. February 2026. p. 15. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ James Debayo at Soccerway. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ↑ Scott, Craig (8 July 2021). "Leeds United complete James Debayo signing from Watford". MOT Leeds News. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ↑ Butcher, Will (3 November 2024). "Daniel Farke shares what he noticed about Sam Chambers and Josuha Guilavogui after making Leeds United debuts". Leeds United News. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ↑ "Leeds United 2025/26 Retained List - Leeds United". www.leedsunited.com. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- 1 2 "James Debayo: Hull City sign ex-Leeds United defender on free transfer". BBC Sport. 4 January 2026. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ Coates, Tom (4 January 2026). "Hull City confirm signing of defender after Leeds United exit". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ↑ "Debayo joins Swindon Town on loan". Hull City A.F.C. 2 July 2026. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ "Photo : Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs target Debayo completes move to Leeds from Watford academy | All Nigeria Soccer". www.allnigeriasoccer.com. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ↑ "England 1–2 USA". WorldFootball. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
- ↑ Sobot, Lee (11 June 2023). "Leeds United youngster continues stellar progress with big role in England youth triumph". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ↑ "Games played by James Debayo in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- 2005 births
- Living people
- Footballers from the London Borough of Hillingdon
- English men's footballers
- England men's youth international footballers
- English people of Nigerian descent
- Black British sportsmen
- 21st-century Black British people
- Men's association football defenders
- English Football League players
- Leeds United F.C. players
- Watford F.C. players
- Hull City A.F.C. players
- Swindon Town F.C. players
- People from Hillingdon
- 21st-century English sportsmen