Everything to know about Ola Aina, exploring the versatile Super Eagles star’s remarkable journey, his parents’ sacrifices to see him succeed, his honours, cracking goals and net worth.
Who is Ola Aina?
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina (Credit: Imago)
Ola Aina is a professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Aina’s versatility means he is adept at right and left-back and wing-back on both flanks. He represents the Nigeria national team despite being born in England.
How old is Ola Aina (Ola Aina Age)
Ola Aina is 28 years old (as of February 2025). He was born on October 8, 1996.
Ola Aina Height
Ola Aina is 1.84m tall. This is equivalent to 6 feet.
Where is Ola Aina from?
Although Ola Aina was born in Southwark, South London, his parents are from Ijebu Ikenne, a town in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Ola Aina Biography
Ola Aina’s footballing journey began at Chelsea’s esteemed academy, which he joined as an under-11 player.
He quickly progressed through the youth ranks, showcasing his talent and determination before making his youth team debut in the 2012-13 season, and was part of the group to win consecutive FA Youth Cups in 2014 and 2015 and back-to-back UEFA Youth League titles in 2015 and 2016.
Ola Aina celebrates winning the 2015 UEFA Youth League with Chelsea (Credit: Instagram)
Aina’s impressive performances earned him opportunities with the U-18s, U-19s and U-21s, demonstrating his adaptability and potential.
In 2014, Aina got his first taste of senior football, making his debut in a pre-season friendly against AFC Wimbledon on July 19.
The youngster continued to impress then-manager Jose Mourinho, earning a spot in the first-team squad for the 2015-16 season. However, first-team opportunities remained limited, leading to a contract standoff with the club.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Aina signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea in 2016.
He made his professional debut under Antonio Conte in a 3-2 League Cup victory over Bristol Rovers on August 23, 2016. He also made his Premier League debut that season, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Leicester City on October 15, 2016.
Ola Aina after his Premier League debut for Chelsea in 2016 (Credit: Instagram)
Seeking more playing time, Aina embarked on a loan spell to Hull City in the Championship during the 2017-18 season. He became a regular starter for the Tigers, showcasing his defensive solidity and attacking contributions.
The wide defender even scored his first professional goal in an FA Cup third-round tie against Blackburn Rovers on January 6, 2018.
Aina’s impressive performances at Hull City caught the attention of Italian club Torino, who signed him on loan for the 2018-19 season. He adapted seamlessly to Serie A, becoming a key player for Torino and helping them secure a Europa League qualifying spot.
His performances convinced Torino to make the transfer permanent for a rumoured £9 million fee in the summer of 2019.
Ola Aina in action for Torino in 2021 (Credit: Instagram)
After two successful seasons in Italy, Aina returned to the Premier League in 2020, joining Fulham on loan, and continued to demonstrate his versatility, playing on both the left and right sides of defence.
The defender scored twice for Fulham, including a memorable Goal of the Month strike against West Bromwich Albion on November 4, 2020.
Ola Aina won the the Premier League Goal of the Month for November 2020 (Credit: Instagram)
Following his release from Torino in the summer of 2023, Aina joined Nottingham Forest on a one-year contract and has since established himself as a first-team regular.
His consistent performances earned him a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the City Ground until 2025, as the Tricky Trees push for Champions League qualification. Aina has played a pivotal role for Forest, who sit third in the table as of February 2025 behind title-contending Liverpool and Arsenal.
Ola Aina’s Nottingham Forest are currently third in the Premier League table, guaranteeing Champions League participation next season (Credit: Imago)
On the international stage, Aina represented England at various youth levels. However, in May 2017, he pledged his allegiance to Nigeria, the country of his parents’ birth.
He has since become a regular for the Super Eagles, representing them at the Africa Cup of Nations and playing a key role in their qualification campaigns.
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Ola Aina Position
While Ola Aina is primarily a right-back, he is adept at playing on the opposite flank in both wing-back roles and even at right centre-back in back-three formations.
Is Ola Aina left or right-footed?
Ola Aina is primarily a right-footed player. However, he is known for his versatility and has often played at left-back or left wing-back throughout his career.
Ola Aina International Career
Although Ola Aina played for the England youth sides, making six appearances for the U16s, 13 for the U19s and featuring four times for the U20 side, he switched allegiance to the Nigerian national team in 2017.
Since making his debut in a World Cup qualifier against Zambia in October 2017, Aina has played 44 times (as of February 2025) for the Super Eagles.
Ola Aina on his Super Eagles debut in 2017 (Credit: Instagram)
According to Transfermarkt, 15 of the defender’s appearances have been at the Africa Cup of Nations (2019, 2021 and 2023), 13 in AFCON qualifying, eight in World Cup qualifying and eight in international friendly games.
Aina was part of the Super Eagles side that advanced to a final at AFCON 2023, making the Team of the Tournament.
Ola Aina in action for Nigeria at AFCON 2023 (Credit: Instagram)
Ola Aina Salary
According to Capology, Ola Aina earns £40,000 per week at Nottingham Forest.
Given the full-back’s performances in Forest’s push for Champions League football, Aina could be set for a bump in earnings at Forest or elsewhere with his current deal with the Tricky Trees expiring on June 30, 2025.
Ola Aina Market Value
According to Transfermarkt, Ola Aina’s market value is €14 million (as of February 2025).
This places him 13th in the Nottingham Forest squad, 13th among all players from Nigeria and 293rd in the Premier League.
The current value is the defender’s peak on the website since 2017.
Ola Aina Stats
According to Transfermarkt, Ola Aina has played 331 youth and senior games (as of February 20, 2025). Considering senior club appearances alone, the wide defender has played 245 times, with the most coming at Torino (113).
The Nigerian defender has featured more times in Serie A than any other competition, with his 81 Premier League games behind 102 Serie A matches.
Completing Aina’s overall senior appearances are 44 games in the Championship, eight in the Coppa Italia, four in the FA Cup and three each in the EFL Cup and Europa League qualifying.
Five of Aina’s eight senior club goals (10 overall) have come in the Premier League, with two netted in Serie A and one in the FA Cup.
Ola Aina Honours
Ola Aina played three times in Chelsea’s title-winning season in 2016-17 (Credit: Instagram)
Chelsea
Premier League: 2016-17
Chelsea Youth
Barclays U21 Premier League: 2013–14
FA Youth Cup: 2013–14, 2014–15
UEFA Youth League: 2014–15, 2015–16
Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2023
Individual
Premier League Goal of the Month: November 2020
Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2023
Orders
Member of the Order of the Niger
Ola Aina Parents
Ola Aina with with father, Olufemi (Credit: Colour Me Digital/YouTube)
Ola Aina’s parents, Olufemi and Esther, were Nigerian immigrants in London who made immense sacrifices to support his football aspirations.
Despite financial struggles and multiple jobs, they ensured Ola attended training sessions and matches. Olufemi’s unwavering belief in Ola’s talent and Esther’s eventual support played a pivotal role in his development.
Their sacrifices, including the loss of their home and a memorable car breakdown incident, fuelled Ola’s determination to succeed and give back to his family.
Ola Aina Brothers
Ola Aina is the second of four children. The defender has three brothers — Michael, Jordan and Benjamin.
Ola Aina Girlfriend
While information about Ola Aina’s girlfriend is not publicly available, the defender was rumoured to be dating YouTuber Layos Choice; however, neither party confirmed nor denied the reports.
Aina recently received flowers from an admirer — Nikki — on Valentine’s Day in 2025, sparking fresh speculation about the football player.
Ola Aina Net Worth
Several sources place Ola Aina’s net worth in the range of £4 million to £10 million ($5m-10m). This would include his earnings from football contracts, as well as potential endorsements and sponsorships.
The defender is also an investor in Sokito, a growing boot brand with plans to disrupt Nike, Adidas and Puma in that territory.
Ola Aina Social Media
Ola Aina on his 27th birthday (Credit: Instagram)
Ola Aina is active on social media, with Snapchat being the footballer’s most utilised platform.
His posts on the multimedia and instant messaging app range from training photos with club and country to events in his personal life. He can be found @Ola_Aina.
The defender has accounts on Instagram (@olaaina) and X (@Aina2Ola).
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