Wor Shola | Canadian Soccer's Next Big Export?

Canadian soccer’s next big export has Geordie genes

It’s fair to say that Shola Jimoh has raised a few eyebrows since making his debut at 16 years old. Taking the field as a substitute for then-named York United against Vancouver in June 2024, the social media scouts were already out in force to herald the arrival of the next new superstar. 

And who could blame them? Within a month, Jimoh had featured in four games and consistently showed an exciting blend of explosive pace and impressive movement that saw him score his first professional against Cavalry FC after coming inside from his wide role. 

All viz courtesy of WT Analysis

But we’ve been here before - a diminutive winger bursting on to the scene with huge fanfare and utilising youthful exuberance to weave their way through the physicality of professional football. Karamoko Dembele is one such example, rapidly progressing through the ranks at Celtic in the glare of media excitement - only to amass ten games in four seasons.  

To be fair to Dembele, now 22 and accumulating regular minutes at Queens Park Rangers in the Championship, it’s not as if his career has fallen off a cliff. But finding his feet at Brest in Ligue 1 following his departure from Glasgow was probably the move he needed to develop away from those heralding him in his formative years. 

And for Jimoh, playing in the Canadian Premier League and largely away from the mainstream football narrative, the impact has probably been similar. Now approaching 50 professional appearances, Jimoh has progressed from an impact sub to a first-team pick, learning to maintain his levels of performance but also understanding when and where to demonstrate his undeniable explosiveness. Speaking of his selection in Canada’s training camp in 2024, Jesse Marsch set targets for him that he has clearly listened to. Marsch believed Jimoh needed consistent playing time at club level to reach his full potential, stating that players of Jimoh's age and quality can develop rapidly and attract attention from larger clubs while emphasising the need for domestic opportunities like those Canadian Premier League offer. 

Shot assist trails (Assists in blue)

Just how long Jimoh will stay in Canada remains to be seen. And although the US, France and Germany are common destinations for players leaving Canada on progressive moves, the fact Jimoh was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne must increase his appeal to clubs in England given some of the existing challenges around recruitment outside the UK.

Attacking actions (yellow) and defensive actions (blue)

This might sound a simplistic solution based on convenience, but it is under-pinned by undeniable qualities that make sense in the intensity of English football. With increased minutes has come a widening skillset. A willingness to press with a pace and intensity that unsettles full backs. A confidence to deliver into the box in a range of ways, utilising his left foot to play a progressive through ball or to waft in a well-weighted cross from a range of areas around the box. Now more alert to rotations, Jimoh looks far less one-dimensional than his earlier cameos and is able to release others - knowing and exploiting the increased scrutiny he is under.  

It’s unclear where Shola goes next. But what is clear is he is more than ready…

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Written by Colin Sisson | @colin_sisson

Editor: Richard Ogando | @notts_stats

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