ANIMASAHUN STAYS AT ORIEL!
Dundalk FC are delighted to announce that Mayowa Animasahun has penned a deal to keep him at Oriel Park, with the defender remaining at his hometown club despite Premier Division interest.
The 21-year-old’s performances were a bright spot last season, as the centre-half racked up 19 appearances in the top flight including 16 from the start, with his signature a significant boost to Ciarán Kilduff and the club’s promotion hopes in 2025.
Animasahun arrived at Oriel at 17, making his first-team debut just three weeks after his 18th birthday in August 2021. He has remained at the club since, spending the 2022/23 season on loan with Dungannon Swifts in the North where he was a regular.
Mayowa’s development continued last season as he made over 20 outings in all competitions for Dundalk and he has become a favourite with the Lilywhites supporters, with the hometown boy thrilled to be extending his stay on the Carrick Road.
“I’m delighted, it’s good to be back for next season,” he told DFCTV, after becoming the 10th confirmed signing for 2025.
“It’s difficult to say (if there was ever any doubt about staying) because obviously the club was in a bit of trouble. I was keeping my eye on it to see if we got the licence or not, but once the club got the licence and you could see the direction the club was going, it was an easy decision to make.”
Animasahun understandably wants to test himself at the top level but says he is committed to bringing Dundalk back to the Premier Division, and is only looking to the future.
“I feel I’ve made a few strides, but I always just want to make more. I never really look back at what I’ve done, I always look forward and I’m hoping to progress more,” he said.
“Ciarán is a great guy. It was nice to meet him. I watched him playing when I was younger. I’m looking forward to the year ahead. I’m really excited.
“Him coming into the building, seeing the direction the club was going, all of that, everything added together. The aim is automatic promotion, hopefully – that’s what we’re working towards now.”
Player Profile
Animasahun, born and bred in the town, is a product of Dundalk Schoolboys League club Glenmuir United.
Having spent time in Dublin with Saint Kevin’s Boys and Bohemians, where he stayed for three years, he arrived at Oriel Park as a 17-year-old ahead of the 2021 season, signing his first professional contract that August.
Mayowa made his first-team debut in the FAI Cup win over Saint Mochta’s later that month, and in early September tasted Premier Division football for the first time when coming off the bench in Waterford. His first start was in the Cup at home to Finn Harps on 21 September 2021.
Animasahun switched to Dungannon Swifts in a loan deal for the 2022/23 season in the North, and made over 30 appearances in all competitions under former Dundalk midfielder Dean Shiels.
The defender returned to Oriel Park in the summer of 2023 and was part of the squad for the European games against Magpies and KA, although did not feature.
Animasahun made 21 appearances in all competitions for Dundalk in 2024, between the league, FAI Cup and Leinster Senior Cup.
2025 Dundalk FC Squad
Enda Minogue
Conor O’Keeffe
Mayowa Animasahun
Seán Keogh
Aodh Dervin
Harry Groome
Daryl Horgan
Gbemi Arubi
Dean Ebbe
Leo Gaxha
Video by Chris Clarke, photos by Gerry Scully.
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