Wikipedia

Jordan Obita

Jordan John Obita (born 8 December 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership side Hibernian.

Jordan Obita
Personal information
Full name Jordan John Obita[1]
Date of birth (1993-12-08) 8 December 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth Oxford, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Left back, Winger
Team information
Current team
 Hibernian
Number 21
Youth career
2001–2010 Reading
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2020 Reading 163 (5)
2012 → Barnet (loan) 5 (0)
2012 → Gillingham (loan) 6 (3)
2012 → Portsmouth (loan) 8 (1)
2013 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 8 (0)
2020–2021 Oxford United 12 (1)
2021–2023 Wycombe Wanderers 79 (5)
2023– Hibernian 33 (1)
International career
2010 England U18 1 (1)
2011 England U19 6 (0)
2014 England U20 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 05:43, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Reading

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Early career and loans

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Born in Oxford,[3] Obita had trials with his hometown club,[4] but chose instead to sign for Reading, joining their Academy at the age of seven.[5] He played initially as a central midfielder but competition for places and his abundance of pace meant he was moved out to the wing.[6] He made his first team debut for Reading aged 16 in the first round of the League Cup against Torquay United on 11 August 2010, coming on as a 113th-minute substitute for Michail Antonio.[7] He travelled with the first team squad for Reading's pre-season trip to Slovenia prior to the 2011–12 season and made his first senior start in a League Cup game against Charlton Athletic in August that season.[8][9]

On 27 January 2012 he signed for League Two side Barnet on loan, making his debut for the club the following day against Crewe Alexandra.[10][11] After one month with Barnet he joined Gillingham on a similar arrangement and scored his first professional goal against his former loan side.[12][13] He scored twice in the next game against Cheltenham Town and made a further three appearances before returning to Reading in April after turning down the chance to extend his stay.[14][15] During his loan spell he was also nominated for 2011–12 Football League Championship Apprentice of the Year though he ultimately lost out to Coventry City's Gael Bigirimana.[16]

In August Obita signed for League One club Portsmouth on a one-month loan,[17] adding that he "didn't have to think twice" about joining the club.[18] Later that evening he made his debut against Colchester United and scored a late equaliser with his first touch.[19] His loan was extended for a second month in September though he eventually returned to Reading a few days early following a death in his family.[20][21] He left on loan again in January 2013, signing a one-month agreement with Oldham Athletic.[22] He scored his first goal for the club in their televised FA Cup fifth round tie against Everton the following month.[23] After expressing an interest in extending his stay with the club,[24] his loan was renewed for a second month after which he returned to Reading.[25][26] Despite the option of remaining at Oldham, Obita ended his spell early with a view to impressing incoming Reading manager Nigel Adkins and breaking into the first team.[3]

First team breakthrough and departure

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He made his first Reading appearance for two years in their heavy 6–0 League Cup defeat to Peterborough United in August 2013 before making his league debut a month later at Derby County.[27][28][29] After securing his place in first team squad for the following games he expressed his desire to play in a central midfield role, a position he played in during his formative Academy years.[6] In November, he scored his first goal for the club with the winner in a 3–2 victory away at Nottingham Forest and the following month signed a new contract until the summer of 2017.[30][31] In the second half of the season, the absence of Wayne Bridge through long-term injury,[32] and the inability of Stephen Kelly and Shaun Cummings to cement their place in his stead,[33][34] saw Obita move to left-back for the game against Watford. He helped the team keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 win and provided the assist for Kaspars Gorkšs' early winner.[35] He retained his place for the next game, a 7–1 win against Bolton Wanderers, and from then on was a regular in the team, making 22 of his 36 appearances after his move to full-back.[36] He was praised by club captain Jobi McAnuff who described his adaptation to the left-back role as "fantastic",[37] and was voted as the club's Player of the Season for 2013–14 by the fans.[38] Obita signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2018, on 30 July 2015.[39] On 30 August 2017, Reading announced that Obita had signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2020.[40]

With his contract with Reading due to expire on 30 June 2020, and due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2019–20 season, Obita signed a short-term extension with Reading until the end of the season on 26 June 2020.[41] Following the completion of the 2019–20 season, Reading announced that Obita would leave the club at the end of July 2020.[42]

Oxford United

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On 9 November, he signed for League One club Oxford United, his hometown club.[43]

Wycombe Wanderers

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On 29 January 2021, Obita joined Championship side Wycombe Wanderers on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[44] He left Wycombe during the 2023 close season after rejecting a new contract offer.[45]

Hibernian

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On 22 June 2023, Hibernian announced the signing of Obita to a two-year contract, with the option for a third year.[45][46] On 19 March 2024 Hibernian announced that Obita had signed a new contract with the club until 30 June 2026.[47]

International career

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Obita was born in England and is of Ugandan descent.[48][49] Obita has represented England at under-18 and under-19 level.[50]

In May 2014 he was called up by the England under-20s and under-21s for the Toulon Tournament and a game against Wales.[51] He was an unused substitute for the game against Wales but started the first game of the Toulon Tournament and scored the opener in a 3–0 win over Qatar.[52]

Career statistics

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As of match played on 15 May 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Reading 2010–11[53] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 — 0 0 1 0
2011–12[54] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 — — 1 0
2012–13[55] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2013–14[56] Championship 34 1 1 0 1 0 — — 36 1
2014–15[57] Championship 43 0 6 0 2 0 — — 51 0
2015–16[58] Championship 26 0 3 0 1 0 — — 30 0
2016–17[59] Championship 37 2 1 0 3 0 — 2[c] 1 43 3
2017–18[60] Championship 2 0 0 0 1 0 — — 3 0
2018–19[61] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2019–20[62] Championship 21 2 4 1 1 0 — — 26 3
Total 163 5 15 1 11 0 — 2 1 191 7
Barnet (loan) 2011–12[54] League Two 5 0 0 0 0 0 — 1[d] 0 6 0
Gillingham (loan) 2011–12[54] League Two 6 3 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 6 3
Portsmouth (loan) 2012–13[55] League One 8 1 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 8 1
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2012–13[55] League One 8 0 2 1 0 0 — 0 0 10 1
Oxford United 2020–21[63] League One 12 1 0 0 0 0 — 3[e] 0 15 1
Wycombe Wanderers 2020–21[63] Championship 9 0 0 0 0 0 — — 9 0
2021–22[64] League One 41 5 2 0 3 0 — 6[f] 0 52 5
2022–23[65] League One 29 0 1 0 2 0 — 2[e] 0 34 0
Total 79 5 3 0 5 0 — 8 0 95 5
Hibernian 2023–24[66] Scottish Premiership 33 1 3 0 3 0 5[g] 1 — 44 2
Career total 314 16 23 2 19 0 5 1 14 1 375 20
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
  4. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  5. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
  6. ^ Three appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances in League One play-offs
  7. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Jordan Obita - Defender - Reading FC". www.readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b Watts, Charles (14 October 2013). "Bold move pays off for Royals starlet Obita". Reading Post. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Jordan Obita", The Royal: Reading V Doncaster Rovers, Reading F.C., 19 October 2013
  5. ^ a b "Reading | News | Latest News | Latest News | Four youngsters given awards". www.readingfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Obita urges Reading FC boss to play him down the middle". Reading Chronicle. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  7. ^ "Torquay 0–1 Reading (aet)". BBC Sport. 11 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  8. ^ "Reading FC squad feel benefit of pre-season tour". Reading Post. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  9. ^ "Charlton Athletic 2–1 Reading". BBC Sport. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Reading prospect Jordan Obita joins Barnet on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Barnet 2–0 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Gills make Obita loan swoop". Sky Sports. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  13. ^ "Gillingham 3–1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  14. ^ "Cheltenham 0–3 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  15. ^ "Hess: We've Given Them A Bit Of A Rest". Gillingham F.C. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Bigirimana is Kitbag.com Apprentice of the Year for the Championship". The Football League. 11 March 2012. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  17. ^ "Obita joins Portsmouth on loan". Reading Chronicle. Archived from the original on 9 May 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Obita happy with Pompey loan". Sky Sports. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  19. ^ "Colchester United 2–2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  20. ^ "Loan update". Reading F.C. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  21. ^ "Obita quits Pompey after family tragedy". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  22. ^ "Latics sign Obita". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  23. ^ "Oldham 2–2 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  24. ^ "Obita set to stay". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  25. ^ "Obita extends stay". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  26. ^ "Obita back at Reading". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  27. ^ "Adkins shuffles pack for Peterborough clash". Reading F.C. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  28. ^ "Peterborough United 6–0 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  29. ^ "Obita and Baird start". Reading F.C. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  30. ^ "Nigel Adkins delighted as Jordan Obita's first goal for Reading seals victory over Forest". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  31. ^ "Obita puts pen to paper". Reading F.C. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  32. ^ "Bridge & Morro injury update". Reading F.C. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  33. ^ Smith, Anthony (16 November 2013). "Reading FC defender Kelly aims to Bridge the defensive gap". Reading Chronicle. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  34. ^ "Games played by Shaun Cummings in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  35. ^ "Watford 0–1 Reading". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  36. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  37. ^ Watts, Charles (29 January 2014). "Reading FC skipper hails the 'scary' form of Jordan Obita". Reading Post. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  38. ^ a b "Obita wins Player of the Season". Reading F.C. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  39. ^ "Obita signs new Royals contract". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  40. ^ "Obita signs new three-year deal". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  41. ^ "Adam, Blackett, Gunter, McCleary, Obita and Osho all agree contract extensions to the end of July". readingfc.co.uk/. Reading F.C. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  42. ^ "Royals bid farewell to five first team players out of contract". readingfc.co.uk/. Reading F.C. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  43. ^ "Jordan Obita Joins Oxford United". www.oufc.co.uk. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  44. ^ "Jordan Obita: Wycombe Wanderers sign Oxford United's ex-Reading man". BBC Sport. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  45. ^ a b "Jordan Obita: Hibernian sign wide man after he rejects Wycombe Wanderers extension". BBC Sport. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  46. ^ "Jordan Obita Signs For Hibs!". hibernianfc.co.uk. Hibernian F.C. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  47. ^ "JORDAN OBITA SIGNS NEW DEAL!". hibernianfc.co.uk. Hibernian F.C. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  48. ^ "Jordan Obita :: Jordan John Obita :: Wycombe Wanderers".
  49. ^ "Jordan Obita on Twitter".
  50. ^ "Jordan Obita". The Football Association. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  51. ^ Watts, May (6 May 2014). "Reading FC star Jordan Obita to receive England call-up". Reading Post. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  52. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (22 May 2014). "England U21s breeze past Qatar to start Toulon in style". The Football Association. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  53. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  54. ^ a b c "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  55. ^ a b c "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  56. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  57. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  58. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  59. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  60. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  61. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  62. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  63. ^ a b "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  64. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  65. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  66. ^ "Games played by Jordan Obita in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
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