Ife Oni

Ife Oni is a pacey right sided defender/winger of Nigerian descent who grew up in South London.

Growing up Ife always wanted to be a footballer and his first professional club was Charlton Athletic after he was scouted playing for his dad’s Sunday league team. In his time at Charlton, he played in numerous positions across the right and in midfield excelling in central defensive midfield, breaking up play and distributing the ball. At under 15 level Ife was then offered positions at Stoke City and Birmingham City. Opting for Birmingham he was originally accepted as a midfielder, playing initially as a number eight shining as a box to box midfielder, breaking up play and getting involved in attacks further up the pitch. In his time at Birmingham, Ife played with Jobe Bellingham and Troy Deeney amongst other established players.

In his last year at Birmingham, he evolved into a right back making the most of his defensive attributes along with his ability to beat a man and swing a ball into the box.

After leaving Birmingham, and with his family relocating to Kent to seek a quieter lifestyle away from London, Ife sought a club in the South East to continue his football journey. A few conversations with Kingy later and Ife joined Deal midway through the 23/24 season, signing in November 23.

Ife joined as a right back and played the remainder of the 23/24 season and began 24/25 predominantly in that position. Ife always showed attacking flair and mindset and it wasn’t long before Kingy wanted to exploit it, sticking Ife in at right wing where he duly popped up with goals and assists for his team. One of the most memorable being when he came off the bench to score the third goal in front of a packed Charles Ground in the 3-1 win against Lydd Town. A game and goal which Ife recalls as his greatest moment in a Deal shirt to date. As the win secured the SCEFL League title in Ife’s first season for Deal in the 23/24 season

In the 24/25 season making the step up a division Ife has found himself in this advanced role more often than not with this attacking mindset reflected in Ife reaching double figures on the goals front.