Queens are Ayo Obileye first Scottish club but the six foot four central defender says he already feels right at home.  The 26 year old is an East End lad, born in Hackney, East London.  He describes himself as African British born with Nigerian nationality.

Starting at Chelsea as a youngster, he has played his football in England until now.  A scholarship took him from Stamford Bridge to Sheffield Wednesday where he signed his first professional contact at 16.   “When I moved to Sheffield I made my debut within two months when I played against Bradford in the Football League Trophy.  It was a big moment for me, it was just two days before my birthday and I had just moved away from home for the first time. At 16 I was still a bit young and had just starting to take football seriously, playing football every day.  My debut was live on TV on Sky Sports and I played the whole game, we drew one – one before losing on penalties, so as a defender playing centre back at a young age and not losing the game was a good feeling.  There was a lot of pressure but I was grateful to be given the opportunity”. 

Ayo believes playing in such a big game at a young age helped his development “obviously players who start at a young age remember what they achieved when they are kids so you have the confidence. You realise it’s no different in any other game that you play so yes it helped me down the line”.

Asked how he would describe himself as a player he said “I am a ball playing centre half who is commanding and likes to lead.  I am predominately right footed but I can also use my left really well.  I like to defend, I like to help the team, I like to lead from the back and I like to be a leader in the team so I can help and be an example to other players.  I’m also a goal-scorer; I do get a fair amount of goals too”. 

With his height and stature you would expect him to score those goals from set-pieces but the big centre back says his goals came from elsewhere “I do get some from set-pieces but I was taking penalties at my previous club and I haven’t missed a penalty since I started taking them.  I have reassured the Gaffer that if there is a penalty and someone needs to take it then I can be that player because I haven’t missed and I am confident in myself that I won’t miss and I’m confident that I can score at any time in the game even under pressure”. 

So does he see himself as a bit of competition for our current penalty taker, Stephen Dobbie?

“He is the senior pro and the skipper so it’s all down to him to be honest but if that is a conversation he feels he needs to have then that’s fine with me.  He is a striker so I will more focus on the defending but if he wants to give me the job of taking penalties then I’m all his, I’m happy with that but my focus is on keeping clean-sheets and making sure that we defend properly as a team”.

Despite playing his entire professional career down south, Ayo has taken a keen interest in Queens “I’ve heard about Queen of the South many times down south and I know they have history and are a big club in Scotland and they do well.  I know I am coming to an old club that has history and are still pushing to get into the Premier league.  Players do come from Queen of the South, Stephen Dobbie and Lyndon Dykes are examples of players who have been with the club and have pushed on so it’s another base for me to go and showcase my ability and to prove to people who maybe think I haven’t fulfilled my potential that I am still trying.  I want to prove that I have the potential and talent to play at a higher level”.

Having the chance to be in the shop window was one attraction but not the only thing that brought him to Dumfries “the fact the Manager believes in me as a player and the team spirit was appealing.  There is a good team bond, the players get on well and believe in themselves as a team, they work hard and are confident which all helps”.

Ayo impressed the manager during training but the player has also been impressed during that time “training has been great, it’s been high intensity and the players have been buzzing about.  The fitness levels are good so it’s been a good time.  I feel I have fitted in like a glove, they are a great bunch who have really welcomed me properly, I think it’s going to be a good year for me and the team can do really well.  It’s obviously my first time in Scotland but I have the belief that we can finish in the top end, that’s our push and I’m going to give it all I can to make sure that we do finish or at least try to finish in the top end”.