Young striker thanks O’s after competing move to Championship club following successful trial period
Former Leyton Orient forward Victor Adeboyejo has thanked his old club following the completion of his move to Barnsley last weekend.
The 19-year-old agreed a three-year contract with the Championship side on Saturday after an impressive trial period.
Adeboyejo said: “I want to say a massive thanks to everyone involved with Leyton Orient – the staff, players and fans.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity they gave me to play so early in my career and I can only thank them for where I am now.
“I’m happy to have signed for Barnsley. Thanks for all the support and messages. The hard work starts now.”
After joining Orient’s academy in the summer of 2014, it didn’t take Adeboyejo long before he earned his first-team debut.
The teenage forward came on for O’s during their 2-1 defeat at home to Peterborough United on December 13 2014 – Fabio Liverani’s first game in charge of the club.
It would prove to be his only appearance of the 2014/15 campaign and the youngster spent the rest of the season with the youth-team.
Adeboyejo earned more opportunities under Ian Hendon, however, making three more cameo roles off the bench in the 2015/16 campaign.
Having impressed during the season, the forward was offered a third-year scholar deal and enjoyed chances to impress during a tumultuous 2016/17 term.
Alberto Cavasin gave him two opportunities in November before Andy Edwards put his faith in him at the start of 2017.
Danny Webb handed Adeboyejo his full debut in February and the forward went on to make 14 appearances overall for O’s in the 2016/17 season.
The powerful striker scored his first and only goal for the club in the 2-1 win over Hartlepool United in April and flourished under the management of Omer Riza.
But with Orient’s future uncertain come the end of the campaign, Adeboyejo turned down a new contract and has spent the last few months on trial at various teams.
He spent some time with Chelsea’s under-23s and with Barnsley while he also had a stint with Portsmouth’s first-team.
Adeboyejo has now decided to link up with the Reds and although he will initially be part of their under-23 team, he’ll hope to force his way into Paul Heckingbottom’s first-team plans.
Orient can expect to receive some type of compensation after offering Adeboyejo a professional contract last summer in addition to spending three years coaching him at Brisbane Road.
“Victor is a player we have all really pushed to get into the club so we’re delighted he’s chosen to join us,” Barnsley’s under-23 coach Paul Harsley told the official club website.
“He’s full of pace, power and most importantly determination to do well. He’s a handful for defenders and has shown that during the games he was on trial with us.
“Those matches have helped immensely in the fact he’s coming back into a group he has already managed to meet and play with.
“My role now is to ensure I don’t see Victor much longer, as we want to progress him into the first team at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom added: “Victor has seen a clear pathway at the club which is a compliment to what we are doing here and from his point of view, really exciting.
“He had multiple offers on the table, but he always stated how much he wanted to join us which was impressive. He’s got a real chance to work hard and impress now, we want to see him pushing for the first team.”
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