Three Nigerian-born players are in the news across England’s third and fourth-tiers, as Deji Oshilaja has extended his stay at Mansfield in League One, while Phillip Chinedu and Diallang Jaiyesimi arrive at Barnet in League Two.
Sports247 gathered, while Barnet’s coach, Dean Brennan is celebrating the acquisition of Chinedu and Jaiyesimi, Mansfield Town are happy to retain Oshilaja, after the defender signed a two-year contract extension.
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The 32-year-old Oshilaja, who previously played for Cardiff City, Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic among other clubs, has featured 61 times for Mansfield across 18 months with the Nottinghamshire club.
He has played in 18 games in all competitions this season, including Mansfield’s 4-3 FA Cup third round victory against Championship side, Sheffield United earlier in January.
It’s a new beginning for Oshilaja, who joined The Stags in the summer of 2024 after leaving Burton Albion and was into the final months of his initial deal at One Call Stadium.
On the other hand, Barnet’s coach is happy that he will have Chinedu and Jaiyesimi on loan from Leyton Orient until the end of the season and they become The Bees’ first signings of the January window.
Jaiyesimi is a 27-year-old midfielder, who has scored three goals in 52 appearances for Orient, and has played 12 times for Richie Wellens’ side this season; while Chinedu is a 19-year-old defender.
Chinedu spent the first few months of this season on loan at Wealdstone, where he got 15 appearances in the National League, but will now have to step up his efforts in order to prove Barnet’s coach right.
Brennan told the club’s website, “They’re two great additions to the group, which gives us strength in depth and adds even more quality.
“Phil’s a player we’ve been chasing for a long time and he gives the team balance, which we’ve been crying out for.
“He’ll bring extreme power; extreme physicality and he’s got a huge future in the game.
“We’re also hoping DJ will give us the dribbling flexibility and quality around the box that the team has needed.”
