Torquay recruit former Liverpool U21 defender Oludare Olufunwa

Oludare Olufunwa, the England and Nigeria centre-back, has joined Torquay after a spell without a club. The 25-year-old defender completed the move on 5 September 2026, arriving at the National League South side after leaving Al-Salt SC earlier in the summer.

Olufunwa spent the first half of 2026 with Jordanian Pro League club Al-Salt, where he made 14 appearances and provided one assist. He joined Al-Salt from Finnish side IF Gnistan in January 2026, having moved there from Scottish club St Johnstone the previous year.

The Southampton-born defender began his career in the Southampton academy before progressing through the club’s under-18 and under-23 teams. He moved to Southampton’s under-21 side in 2022 and joined Liverpool U21 on a free transfer that August.

Olufunwa subsequently left Liverpool’s under-21 set-up for St Johnstone in August 2023. He made 11 appearances in the Premiership during his time in Scotland before spending part of the 2024-25 season on loan with Hamilton Academical. That loan ended in January 2025, when he returned to St Johnstone.

The centre-back then joined IF Gnistan on a free transfer in April 2025. During his time in Finland, he played in both the Veikkausliiga and its Championship Group, as well as the Suomen Cup, where he scored twice in three appearances.

Olufunwa has also featured in English development competitions, making 31 appearances for Premier League 2 sides and scoring twice. He added a further goal in seven appearances in the Premier League International Cup, while also playing in the Championship and EFL Trophy during his career.

Standing 1.86m tall and favouring his right foot, Olufunwa gives Torquay a defender with experience across English, Scottish, Finnish and Jordanian football. His arrival adds a centre-back to the club’s squad for the 2026-27 campaign.

The move to Torquay was completed on 5 September 2026.