Chelsea FC has announced the appointment of former Nigerian international Seyi Olofinjana to a talent management role, focusing on Africa.
Olofinjana, 44, will be responsible for recruitment recommendations across the region, working alongside a newly-appointed scout.
His extensive experience and expertise will help build on Chelsea’s connections in Africa, streamlining the pathway for players to join the London club and its sister operation, Strasbourg in France.
Olofinjana’s impressive football career spanned 147 matches and 18 goals for Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as spells at Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City, and Hull City.
After retiring in 2014, he transitioned into coaching and development roles at Wolves and later became Sporting Director at Grasshoppers Zurich.
He holds a UEFA Pro coaching license and has a strong track record in talent identification and development.
In his new role, Olofinjana will not only identify top talent in Africa but also work closely with players to improve their experience and aid their settling-in process at Chelsea.
His expertise will be invaluable in building a robust scouting network and uncovering hidden gems in the region.
Seyi Olofinjana, who holds degrees in chemical engineering and sports directorship, also serves as the executive director of Imperial FC, a Nigerian third-division club based in Lagos, his hometown.
In this role, he has successfully developed the club’s academy and talent identification programs, discovering promising young players like Taiwo Awoniyi, who was later signed by Liverpool in 2015 and currently plays for Nottingham Forest.
This appointment marks a significant step in Chelsea’s commitment to expanding its reach in Africa, following in the footsteps of successful African players like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, and Mikel Jon Obi. By establishing a dedicated operation in the region, Chelsea aims to procure talent earlier in their journeys, fostering a stronger connection with African football.
