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Ben Folami
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Gbenga Tai "Ben" Folami (Yoruba: [ɡbɛ̀ŋɡa táj fòlámì];[3] born 8 June 1999) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Adelaide United and the Australia national team.[4]
Key Information
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Club career
[edit]Ipswich Town
[edit]
Born in Sydney, Folami joined Ipswich Town's academy in 2015, having previously played for the Football NSW Institute and the Sutherland Sharks at youth level.[5] After working his way through the youth system at Portman Road, he went on to make his full senior debut in a 2–1 defeat against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup second round on 22 August 2017.[6] He made his league debut for the club on 2 April 2018 in a 2–2 draw against Millwall.[7] In May 2018, Folami signed a new three-year contract at Ipswich until 2021.[8] On 14 January 2019, Folami tore his achilles tendon during an under-23 match against Cardiff City, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.[9]
Following his recovery from injury Folami appeared for Ipswich's under-23 side before returning to first-team action on 12 November 2019, starting in a 0–1 away loss to Colchester United in an EFL Trophy group stage match.[10]
Stevenage (loan)
[edit]On 31 January 2020, Folami signed for Stevenage on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[11] He made his debut on 8 February, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 loss to Exeter City.[12] He made two substitute appearances for Stevenage before the 2019–20 season was suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak.[13]
Return to Ipswich Town
[edit]He scored his first goal for Ipswich in an EFL Trophy tie against Gillingham on 6 October 2020.[14]
In April 2021, Ipswich announced that Folami would be released at the end of the 2020–21 season following the end of his contract.[15]
Melbourne Victory
[edit]On 28 October 2020, Folami joined Australian A-League side Melbourne Victory on loan until the end of the season.[16] He scored his first goal for Melbourne Victory in a 2–2 draw with Thai side Chiangrai United in the AFC Champions League on 30 November.[17] In July 2021, after being released by Ipswich Town, Folami signed a permanent two-year contract with Melbourne Victory.[18]
International career
[edit]Folami is of Nigerian descent.[19] In October 2018, he was called up to the Australia U19 squad to compete in the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship held in Indonesia.[20] He made 4 appearances during the tournament, scoring one goal, as the Young Socceroos exited the U-19 championships at the quarter-final stage. Folami impressed with his performances during the tournament, with Fox Sports describing him as "an absolute revelation" and stating that he had been "Australia's best player".[21]
Folami made his debut for the Australia U23 team in a 2–1 loss to Iran on 14 October 2019.[22] He scored his first goal for the under-23s while winning his second cap, appearing as a second-half substitute and scoring in a 5–1 victory over China on 15 November 2019.[23]
He debuted with the senior Australia national team in a 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification loss to Japan on 24 March 2022.[24]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 11 November 2022
| Club | Season | Division | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Ipswich Town | 2017–18[25] | Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |
| 2018–19[26] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20[13] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2020–21[27] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | ||
| Stevenage (loan) | 2019–20[13] | League Two | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Melbourne Victory (loan) | 2019–20[13] | A-League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5[b] | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2020–21[27] | A-League | 17 | 3 | — | — | — | 17 | 3 | ||||
| Melbourne Victory | 2021–22[27] | A-League | 24 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 3[c] | 1 | 28 | 4 | |
| 2022–23[27] | A-League | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| Total | 47 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 56 | 8 | ||
| Career total | 53 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 65 | 9 | ||
- ^ a b Appearance in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearances in AFC Champions League
- ^ One appearance and one goal in AFC Champions League, Two appearances in A-League Finals series
International
[edit]- As of match played 24 March 2022[28]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
Honours
[edit]Club
[edit]Melbourne Victory
International
[edit]Australia U23
- AFC U-23 Asian Cup third place: 2020[30]
References
[edit]- ^ "EFL Released and Retained List 2016-17" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ "Ben Folami". Melbourne Victory. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPyDwrxiaCT/?igsh=dXQ0a2R3cjRkem1t
- ^ "Ben Folami". Ipswich Town F.C. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- ^ "Meet the Aussie striker cracking into the Championship". East Anglian Daily Times. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
- ^ "Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ Watson, Stuart (2 April 2018). "'I'm not enjoying it' – McCarthy hints he may not see out his contract". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Three Year Deal for Ben". TWTD. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Chambers to Wear Strapping at Blackburn as Folami Ruled Out for Season". TWTD. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ "EFL Trophy Match Report - Colchester United 1-0 Ipswich Town". Soccerway. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ "Ben Folami joins Boro".
- ^ "Exeter City 2-1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Ben Folami in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Ipswich Town 2 Gillingham 0: Goals from Armando Dobra and Ben Folami settle EFL Trophy match". kentonline.co.uk. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- ^ "No New Deal for Folami and 'Keepers". Ipswich Town F.C. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Folami Makes Loan Move". Ipswich Town F.C. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Folami Nets First Goal For Melbourne Victory". TWTD. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ^ "Melbourne Victory signs Ben Folami". Melbourne Victory. 12 July 2021.
- ^ "Nigerian-Australian Striker Ben Folami Making Inroads At The Blues:: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". www.allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Update to Young Socceroos squad for AFC U19 Championship". Football Federation Australia. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ^ "Folami Wins Cap But Australia Exit AFC U19 Championship". TWTD. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ "Folami in Action for Australian U23s". TWTD. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "Folami Nets as Australia's U23s Hammer China". TWTD. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ "WATCH: Socceroos fall short after Japan strike late". Socceroos. 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Ben Folami in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Ben Folami in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Ben Folami in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ Ben Folami at National-Football-Teams.com
- ^ "Melbourne Victory 2–1 Central Coast Mariners". www.keepup.com. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ "Australia 1–0 Uzbekistan". www.the-afc.com. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
External links
[edit]- Ben Folami at Soccerbase
Ben Folami
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and background
Birth and family heritage
Gbenga Tai Folami, known professionally as Ben Folami, was born on 8 June 1999 in Sydney, Australia.[11] His full name reflects his Nigerian heritage, with "Gbenga" being a common Yoruba name meaning "lift me up."[11] Folami was born to a Nigerian father who immigrated to Australia in his 30s and met his mother, a care worker like his father, shortly thereafter.[12] The family, which includes an older sister, grew up in the Blacktown and Sutherland Shire areas outside Sydney, where Folami's Nigerian descent through his father has shaped aspects of his cultural identity, though he has primarily identified with his Australian upbringing.[12][13] This dual heritage granted him eligibility to represent Nigeria internationally, a connection he has acknowledged but ultimately did not pursue in favor of Australia.[14] While Folami's early interest in football was initially sparked by a best friend at age four or five—rather than direct family involvement—his parents supported his pursuit of the sport over more popular Australian pastimes like rugby league and Australian rules football.[12] Recalling the moment, his parents noted that Folami was drawn to the game after watching his friend play, marking the beginning of his dedication to soccer within a supportive family environment.[12] This foundation later led him into structured youth football programs.Youth development
Ben Folami began his youth football development in Sydney, Australia, starting with Prospect United Dragons before joining the Football NSW Institute and progressing to play for the Sutherland Sharks at a young age.[15][5][10] These early experiences provided foundational training, with Folami training alongside the Western Sydney Wanderers by age 15, honing his skills as a forward in competitive youth environments.[12] At age 16, in July 2015, Folami relocated from Australia to join Ipswich Town's academy in England, signing initial schoolboy forms after successful trials in late 2014 and early 2015.[12] The move marked a significant step in his progression, as his entire family uprooted to Suffolk to support his development, allowing him to focus on academy integration. By October 2016, he advanced to full academy status and signed a scholarship contract, solidifying his place in the youth system.[12] Folami's academy tenure up to 2017 featured notable achievements, including nomination for Ipswich Town's Academy Goal of the Month in May 2017 for a long-range strike in an under-18s match during the previous March.[16] This recognition highlighted his growing impact as a goal-scoring threat in youth leagues, contributing to his rapid progression through the ranks despite early setbacks. The relocation presented several challenges, including adapting to England's colder climate and the 24-hour flight, which Folami described as a "big shock" since he had never left Australia before.[12] Compounding this, he suffered a knee injury just one month into training, sidelining him for 9-12 months and testing his resilience during the initial adjustment period.[12]Club career
Ipswich Town
Folami signed his first professional contract with Ipswich Town in May 2018, agreeing to a three-year deal that ran until June 2021.[17] Prior to this, he had progressed through the club's academy after joining from Australia in 2015 and signing a scholarship in 2017.[18] As a versatile left winger and forward, he earned a place in the senior squad during the 2017–18 season under manager Mick McCarthy, showcasing his pace and direct running style in training and youth matches.[19] He made his senior debut on 22 August 2017, substituting into a 2–1 EFL Cup second-round loss to Crystal Palace at Portman Road. Folami's league debut followed on 2 April 2018 in a 2–2 Championship draw away to Millwall, where he came off the bench and contributed to the attack alongside teammates like Freddie Sears.[19] Across the 2017–18 campaign, he accumulated four Championship appearances and one EFL Cup outing, totaling five senior games without scoring, often as a substitute in competitive fixtures. Folami's development was interrupted by injuries, including a long-term knee issue in his early academy days and a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in February 2019, which sidelined him for eight months.[20] He returned to first-team contention in November 2019, starting in a 1–0 EFL Trophy group-stage defeat to Colchester United and expressing determination to earn regular minutes under new manager Paul Lambert.[21] However, opportunities remained limited in League One during the 2019–20 season, with only sporadic involvement before a January 2020 loan to Stevenage provided further development experience.[22] In October 2020, he scored his maiden senior goal for Ipswich—a composed finish in a 2–0 EFL Trophy victory over Gillingham—before departing on loan to Melbourne Victory later that month amid ongoing restricted playing time.[23]Stevenage (loan)
On 31 January 2020, Ben Folami joined Stevenage on a loan from Ipswich Town until the end of the 2019–20 season, aiming to gain first-team experience in EFL League Two following his development in the Ipswich academy.[24][8] Folami made his debut for Stevenage on 8 February 2020, entering as a 79th-minute substitute for Simeon Jackson in a 2–1 away defeat to Exeter City at St James Park; he played the final 11 minutes in a forward role but could not influence the outcome as Matt Jay scored a late winner for the hosts.[25][26] Three days later, on 11 February, he featured again as a 72nd-minute replacement for David Parkhouse during a 3–1 loss at Bradford City, contributing to the attack in the closing stages amid Stevenage's struggles at the bottom of the table.[27][28] In total, Folami recorded two substitute appearances without scoring, providing limited but valuable minutes in competitive League Two fixtures. The loan was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the EFL suspended all matches on 13 March 2020 until at least 3 April, ultimately resuming behind closed doors in June but without further opportunities for Folami, who returned to Ipswich upon the season's conclusion on 30 May 2020. This brief exposure to English lower-league football offered Folami an introduction to the physical demands and tactical intensity of the division, serving as an early step in his professional adaptation despite the truncated spell.[29]Melbourne Victory
Folami joined Melbourne Victory on loan from Ipswich Town in October 2020, marking his return to Australian football after time in England.[15] The 21-year-old made an immediate impact during the 2020–21 A-League season, appearing in 17 matches and scoring 3 goals, including his first league goal in a 4–1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in April 2021.[1] He also featured in cup competitions and the AFC Champions League, where he scored in a 2–2 draw against Chiangrai United.[15] This period allowed Folami to adapt to the demands of professional play in Australia, transitioning from a substitute role to a more consistent presence on the wing. Following his release from Ipswich, Folami signed permanently with Victory in July 2021 on a two-year contract.[30] The 2021–22 season proved a breakout for the young forward, as he made 24 A-League appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist, while contributing to the team's attacking depth as a versatile winger capable of playing on either flank or centrally.[1] His form earned him an extension in February 2023, adding two more years to his deal through the 2024–25 season.[31] Folami's role evolved into a reliable squad player during the 2022–23 campaign, where he featured in 26 league matches, scoring 1 goal and adding 1 assist, often providing energy and width in midfield transitions.[1] The following year, in 2023–24, he maintained consistency with 26 appearances, 2 goals—including a notable strike against Sydney FC—and 2 assists, solidifying his position as a dynamic option in Victory's forward line.[1] Over his tenure from 2020 to 2024, Folami amassed 108 appearances and 11 goals across all competitions, including contributions in the Australia Cup and AFC tournaments.[9] Folami departed Melbourne Victory in September 2024, concluding a four-year association that established him as a key part of the club's youth development and first-team rotation.[32]Adelaide United
In September 2024, Ben Folami transferred to Adelaide United from Melbourne Victory on a four-year contract expiring in June 2028, marking a mutual agreement that allowed him to seek more playing opportunities in the A-League Men.[33][2] Folami made his debut for Adelaide United on 26 October 2024 against Central Coast Mariners, quickly integrating into the squad as a versatile winger and forward capable of playing on either flank or centrally.[34] His dynamic style, drawing from his prior A-League experience at Melbourne Victory, emphasized pace and direct runs, contributing to the team's attacking transitions. By 11 January 2025, he had recorded 12 appearances without a goal, focusing on building fitness and team chemistry amid early-season adaptation.[1] Throughout the 2024-25 A-League Men season, Folami featured in 22 matches, starting 13 and accumulating 1,068 minutes, while providing 2 assists and scoring 1 goal—his sole strike coming against Perth Glory on 12 April 2025 (Matchday 26).[1] He demonstrated positional versatility, often deployed as a left winger but shifting to forward roles to support Adelaide's pressing game, which helped the team in key fixtures despite disciplinary issues, including a red card that led to a one-match suspension. Folami missed one game due to sore muscles in Matchday 17 and was absent from the squad for Matchday 23, but his overall impact included creating chances that enhanced the Reds' offensive output.[34] As of 2025, Folami's market value stood at €350,000, reflecting his established role in the squad and potential for growth in subsequent seasons.[2] Entering the 2025-26 campaign, expectations remain high for increased goal contributions, building on his assist record and physical presence to aid Adelaide United's push for playoffs.International career
Youth international career
Folami was first called up to the Australia U19 national team in August 2018 for preparations ahead of the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship in Indonesia.[35] The Young Socceroos squad, including Folami, underwent a training camp in Singapore prior to the tournament to build cohesion and tactical familiarity.[36] He made his U19 debut during the group stage of the championship, appearing in matches that helped Australia advance to the quarter-finals before a 1-0 loss to South Korea ended their campaign.[37] Folami scored his sole U19 goal in a 2-1 victory over Vietnam on 22 October 2018, finishing a precise pass from Nathaniel Atkinson with a left-footed shot into the far corner.[38] Over the period from 2018 to 2019, he accumulated 4 caps and 1 goal at this level, gaining exposure to high-pressure continental competition that honed his positioning and finishing in youth setups.[37] Transitioning to the U23 level, known as the Olyroos, Folami received his initial call-up in October 2019 while performing strongly in Ipswich Town's academy, which contributed to his national team consideration.[39] He debuted on 14 October 2019 in a friendly against Iran in Doha, Qatar, entering as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat that served as part of the team's preparation for upcoming qualifiers.[39] Folami earned further experience in friendlies during a November 2019 tour of China, where he came off the bench for his second appearance and scored in a 5-1 win over the hosts on 15 November, tapping in during the second half to contribute to the dominant performance.[40] These matches, alongside training camps focused on Olympic qualification pathways, allowed him to adapt to senior-like tactical demands, such as pressing and wide play integration, across 5 caps and 1 goal from late 2019 onward.[37] By December 2019, he was included in the U23 squad for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup aimed at Tokyo 2020.[41]Senior international career
Folami earned his first senior call-up to the Australia national team on 19 March 2022 for the FIFA World Cup third-round qualifiers in Asia, replacing players Craig Goodwin and Jackson Irvine who were ruled out due to COVID-19.[42] He made his debut two days later on 24 March 2022, substituting into a 0–2 home loss against Japan at CommBank Stadium in Sydney during stoppage time, earning his sole senior cap after just one minute on the pitch.[43] The match, part of Group B, saw Japan secure victory with goals from Junya Ito and Takefusa Kubo, effectively ending Australia's hopes of automatic qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[43] Folami retained his place in the squad for the following qualifier against Saudi Arabia on 29 March 2022 in Jeddah but did not feature in the 1–0 win, remaining an unused substitute on the bench.[3] This appearance marked the extent of his involvement in the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, where he provided limited but opportunistic depth as a forward option amid injuries to key attackers.[44] As of November 2025, Folami has accumulated one senior cap for the Socceroos with no goals, reflecting his transitional role from youth international pathways into the senior setup without further call-ups despite consistent A-League performances.[3]Career statistics
Club statistics
As of the end of the 2024–25 season, Ben Folami has made 124 appearances and scored 10 goals across all club competitions.[1]Ipswich Town
Folami made his professional debut with Ipswich Town during the 2017–18 season in English football's EFL Championship and EFL Cup, with additional appearances in later seasons.| Season | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | EFL Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017–18 | EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | EFL Trophy | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Stevenage (loan)
Folami joined Stevenage on loan in January 2020, featuring in EFL League Two during the 2019–20 season.| Season | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | EFL League Two | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Melbourne Victory
Folami joined Melbourne Victory on loan in October 2020, signing permanently in 2021, and became a key player in the A-League and continental competitions over four seasons.| Season | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | A-League | 17 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | AFC Champions League | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | A-League | 24 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | A-League | 26 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | A-League | 20 | 4 | 1 |
| Various | Australia Cup | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 97 | 9 | 6 |
Adelaide United
Folami signed with Adelaide United in September 2024 ahead of the 2024–25 A-League season.| Season | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | A-League | 22 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 22 | 1 | 2 |
International statistics
Ben Folami has represented Australia at youth and senior international levels, accumulating a total of 10 caps with 2 goals across these categories as of November 2025. His international career began in the youth ranks, where he featured prominently in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tournaments, before earning a brief senior appearance in World Cup qualifying. The following table summarizes Folami's international statistics, broken down by age group, competition, appearances (caps), goals, and notable match dates. Data reflects verified appearances only, with youth totals comprising 4 caps and 1 goal at U19 level, and 5 caps and 1 goal at U23 level; senior totals stand at 1 cap and 0 goals.| Age Group | Competition | Caps | Goals | Key Matches and Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U19 | AFC U-19 Championship 2018 | 4 | 1 | October 7, 2018: vs Indonesia (group stage); October 10, 2018: vs Jordan (group stage); October 18, 2018: vs South Korea (quarter-final, scored in 76th minute during 1-1 draw)[46]; October 2018: Additional group/knockout matches (specific opponent not detailed in primary records) |
| U23 | Friendlies | 2 | 1 | October 14, 2019: vs Iran (2-1 loss, debut appearance); November 15, 2019: vs China (5-1 win, substitute, scored in second half)[47][48] |
| U23 | AFC U-23 Championship 2020 | 3 | 0 | January 10, 2020: vs Thailand (group stage, substitute); January 14, 2020: vs Syria (group stage, substitute); January 2020: Additional group match (substitute appearance, minutes limited to 52 total in tournament)[46] |
| Senior | FIFA World Cup Qualification (AFC) 2022 | 1 | 0 | March 24, 2022: vs Japan (0-2 loss, 1 minute played as substitute)[3] |