The western province have been rewarded for scouting for promising talents in the Ulster Bank League
Connacht Rugby have announced that Nigerian winger Niyi Adeolokun has signed an improved two-year deal with the club, through the IRFU. The 24-year-old, who was born in Ibadan, moved to Ireland with his family in 2001 and was spotted by Connacht scouts while playing for Dublin University in UBL Division 1B.
Adeolokun played for seasonns with DUFC and helped their Sevens team win back-to-back All-Ireland championships in 2011 and 2012. He has featured eight times for Connacht this season but is currently sidelined with an ankle sprain. The club is hopeful he will be fit for the busy period of league and Challenge Cup games in December.
Adeolokun declares, ‘I’m absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to extend my stay at Connacht. I’m constantly learning in this environment and I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time here since I arrived last summer.
‘There are a lot of very young backs here at Connacht but from working with Pat Lam and the coaching staff it’s clear that if you put in the work you will get your opportunity. It’s a really exciting time for everyone at Connacht and already, I can’t wait to try get back out there again and play my part.’
Lam comments, ‘Niyi is an example of someone who was given an opportunity and took it with both hands. From day one, he has impressed us all, players and coaches, with his work ethic and desire to succeed. He has put on nearly 10 kilos in weight and is the fastest member of our squad. But what is so great about Niyi is that he is an extremely hard-working individual. He has gone from an amateur to a full pro in a year and he fully deserves the recognition.
‘Through his willingness to learn, I have no doubt that, here at Connacht, he will continue to develop his unquestionable talent and fulfil his potential.’
