Olarenwaju Kayode

Olarenwaju Kayode is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward. Known for his explosive pace and sharp finishing, he made his name in the Austrian Bundesliga before earning a move to Manchester City in 2017. Over a career that has spanned Austria, Spain, Ukraine, Turkey, and Israel, he has won league titles and domestic cups in three different countries.

Kayode currently plays for Mardin 1969 Spor in Turkey, having joined for the 2026-27 season. Off the pitch, he has been in the headlines for a highly public divorce from his estranged wife, Ezinne Dora Kayode, and a N1 billion lawsuit against a pastor. Despite the personal turmoil, he remains a respected figure in Nigerian football, with over 2 million Instagram followers tracking his journey. [edit]

Kayode was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, and grew up playing football on the streets and in local academies. His raw speed and natural goal-scoring instinct quickly set him apart from his peers. He rose through the ranks of Nigerian domestic football, where his performances caught the attention of scouts from Europe.

In 2014, he made the leap to Austria Wien, a move that would define his early career. He adapted quickly to European football, using his pace to terrorize defenders in the Austrian Bundesliga. His breakout came in the 2016-17 season, when he finished as the league's top scorer with 17 goals, earning him the Austrian Player of the Season award. That form propelled him onto the international stage, earning his first caps for the Nigerian national team. [edit]

Kayode's standout 2016-17 season at Austria Wien put him on the radar of Europe's elite. In August 2017, Manchester City signed him, but he was immediately loaned to Girona in La Liga, where he made a handful of appearances. He never played a competitive match for City, and in June 2018, he moved permanently to Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.

At Shakhtar, he won the Ukrainian Premier League and the Ukrainian Cup in 2018-19. He then moved to Turkey, joining Sivasspor, where he lifted the Turkish Cup in 2021-22. After stints with Ümraniyespor and a spell in Israel, he returned to Turkey, playing for Esenler Erokspor before joining Mardin 1969 Spor in 2026. His career has been marked by consistent goal-scoring and adaptability across multiple leagues. [edit]

Kayode's public image has two very different phases. On the pitch, he is seen as a hard-working, pacey striker who punches above his weight, earning respect in Austria, Ukraine, and Turkey. Media coverage of his football career was largely positive, highlighting his goal-scoring exploits and team success.

Off the pitch, his public divorce has transformed his image in Nigerian tabloids, where he is now often portrayed as a controversial figure. His social media voice has become more combative since 2024, and he has used his platform to air personal grievances. Despite this, he retains a loyal fanbase who appreciate his footballing achievements and his candid, unfiltered approach. [edit]

Olarenwaju Kayode occupies a unique space in the football world, defined not by a cult following but by a global footprint that spans multiple leagues without settling into a single national narrative. His audience is composed of dedicated followers across Austria, Turkey, Ukraine, and Israel who track his journeyman career with intense interest, yet no formal fandom name or organized campaign exists to unify these disparate groups. Unlike global superstars who command subway ads or fan-funded projects, Kayode's connection with supporters remains rooted in standard athlete-fan dynamics typical of professional sports. The most enduring story fans retell involves his 2017 transfer saga: a reported deal with Manchester City followed immediately by a loan to Girona and a permanent move to Shakhtar Donetsk, a sequence that marked the peak of his market visibility. While his recent legal battles have generated tabloid headlines, they have not translated into viral folklore or extraordinary crowd reactions. Despite this lack of a structured fanbase, his reach is significant enough for iFANN to evaluate his standing globally. As of August 2026, Olarenwaju Kayode is currently the EVALUATED_UNRANKED person in the world, holding no placement in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list.[edit]

Known affectionately as 'Larry' in German-speaking media, a nod to his middle name, Kayode signed for Manchester City in 2017 but never played a competitive match for the club, being loaned out immediately. He has achieved the rare feat of winning league or cup titles in Ukraine, Turkey, and Israel, cementing his status as a decorated journeyman striker. His digital presence is robust, boasting over 2 million followers on Instagram, though his Wikipedia page exists in 14 languages with the highest readership in English, Turkish, and Hebrew. In 2024, he filed for divorce from his wife of 11 years, Ezinne Dora, publicly claiming none of their three children were biologically his, a statement she strongly denied. A widely retold chapter of his career legend involves the dramatic 2017 transfer saga where he agreed to join Manchester City only to be loaned to Girona before permanently moving to Shakhtar Donetsk. Another defining moment in his public biography occurred in July 2024 when news broke regarding his divorce and a N1 billion lawsuit against Pastor Adegboyega, shifting his profile from purely athletic to a figure of intense media scrutiny.[edit]

Kayode married Ezinne Dora Okoro, also known as Dora Kayode, and the couple had three children together. Their marriage lasted around 11 years before Kayode filed for divorce in July 2024, citing infidelity and irredeemable marital issues. The split turned acrimonious, with Kayode publicly disputing paternity of their children, a claim his wife denied.

As of 2026, the divorce proceedings are ongoing, and Kayode has also filed a N1 billion lawsuit against Pastor Adegboyega, alleging his involvement in the marital breakdown. There are no reports of him having a new partner, and his focus appears to be on his football career in Turkey. [edit]

Kayode's career has intersected with several notable figures and clubs. He was signed by Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, though he never played for the first team. At Shakhtar Donetsk, he was part of a squad that competed in the Champions League. His most significant personal association is with his estranged wife, Ezinne Dora Kayode, and the ongoing legal battle involving Pastor Adegboyega. [edit]

Kayode's most significant relationship was with Ezinne Dora Okoro, whom he married after a period of dating. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony and went on to have three children. Their marriage lasted approximately 11 years before Kayode filed for divorce in July 2024, citing infidelity and irredeemable marital issues.

The divorce became public and contentious, with Kayode accusing his wife of fraud and claiming that none of the children were biologically his. His wife denied these allegations, and the legal battle has been ongoing. As of 2026, Kayode is separated and there are no reports of a new partner. His focus remains on his football career and the divorce proceedings. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Olarenwaju Kayode's net worth is estimated at $5 Million as of 2026. This financial standing stems primarily from his extensive career earnings derived from club salaries, signing bonuses, and transfer fees rather than major endorsement deals. His career trajectory saw a significant boost in 2017 when his move to Manchester City reportedly involved a fee in the region of £3 million, although he was loaned out immediately. His subsequent permanent transfer to Shakhtar Donetsk further elevated his earning potential during his time with the Champions League club. Additional wealth accumulation occurred during his tenure in Turkey with clubs like Sivasspor and Mardin 1969 Spor. While exact figures remain private, the stated total reflects a solid and lucrative career spanning multiple top-flight leagues.[edit]

Kayode has won several significant honours in his career. He was the Austrian Bundesliga top scorer in 2016-17 and was voted Player of the Season in Austria. At Shakhtar Donetsk, he won the Ukrainian Premier League and the Ukrainian Cup. He also lifted the Turkish Cup with Sivasspor and won the Israeli second-tier championship. [edit]