Gavin Bazunu

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Gavin Bazunu
Gavin Bazunu 22112025 (9).jpg
Bazunu in 2025
Personal information
Full name Gavin Okeroghene Bazunu [1]
Date of birth (2002-02-20) 20 February 2002 (age 24) [2]
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) [2]
Position Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Bolton Wanderers
Number 31
Youth career
–2018 Shamrock Rovers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018 Shamrock Rovers 4 (0)
2019–2022 Manchester City 0 (0)
2020–2021 → Rochdale (loan) 29 (0)
2021–2022 → Portsmouth (loan) 44 (0)
2022–2026 Southampton 92 (0)
2025 → Standard Liège (loan) 8 (0)
2026 → Stoke City (loan) 6 (0)
2026– Bolton Wanderers 5 (0)
International career‡
2019 Republic of Ireland U17 2 (0)
2019 Republic of Ireland U21 3 (0)
2021– Republic of Ireland 22 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:43, 13 October 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 06:20, 27 March 2024 (UTC)

Gavin Okeroghene Bazunu (born 20 February 2002) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Bolton Wanderers and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Contents

Bazunu started his career at Shamrock Rovers, making his first team debut in June 2018 at the age of 16, before joining Manchester City in February 2019. He had loan spells at Rochdale and Portsmouth. In 2022, Bazunu permanently joined Southampton. He spent half of the 2024–25 season on loan at Standard Liège and half of the 2025–26 season on loan at Stoke City. He left Southampton in August 2026 and subsequently signed for Bolton Wanderers.

An Irish youth international, he made his senior international debut in 2021.

Early and personal life

Born in Dublin, [2] Bazunu was raised in Firhouse, a suburb of the city. [3] He is of Irish and Nigerian descent, [4] with his father being Nigerian. [5] His younger brother, Todd, is also a goalkeeper and plays at youth level for Shamrock Rovers. [6]

Club career

Shamrock Rovers

Having come through the academy at Shamrock Rovers, [7] Bazunu made his debut for Rovers' first team on 9 June 2018 in a 5–0 win at home to Bray Wanderers, at the age of 16. [2] [8] Manager Stephen Bradley stated that despite not wanting to 'throw [young goalkeepers] in that early', Bazunu was 'ready' for his first-team debut. [8] He made three further appearances for Shamrock Rovers in the 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division. [2] These included a penalty save at Cork City which meant he kept four clean sheets out of four in the league. [9] Bazunu also made two appearances in the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League. [10]

Manchester City

On 6 September 2018, it was announced that Bazunu had joined Premier League club Manchester City for an undisclosed fee reported to be £420,000, though a joining date had not been set, with Bazunu wishing to complete his education in the Irish education system. [11] [12] The following month, it was announced he has signed a pre-contract agreement with Manchester City, [13] with it initially agreed he would join the club in summer 2019, before it was moved forward to February 2019. [14] He made his debut for Manchester City's under-18 side on 9 February 2019 against Stoke City U18. [14]

Bazunu was named in Manchester City's UEFA Champions League squad for a Round of 16 second leg match against Real Madrid in August 2020. [15]

Loans to Rochdale and Portsmouth

He signed a contract extension with Manchester City until 2024 and joined League One side Rochdale on a season-long loan later that month. [16] [17] He started and kept a clean sheet on his debut for Rochdale on 5 September 2020 in a 1–0 EFL Cup victory away to Huddersfield Town, [18] and made his first league appearance the following week in a 3–1 defeat at Swindon Town. [19]

On 1 July 2021, he moved on loan to Portsmouth for the 2021–22 season. [20] [21] He was named as the club's Players' Player and Player of the Season. [22]

Southampton

Bazunu with Southampton in 2025 Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy 22112025 (2) (Gavin Bazunu).jpg
Bazunu with Southampton in 2025

On 17 June 2022, Bazunu joined Southampton on a five-year contract [23] for a reported fee of £12 million. [24] On 6 August 2022, he made his first Premier League appearance for Southampton in a 4–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. [25] Bazunu got his first clean sheet in the Premier League and for Southampton on 19 October 2022 in a 0–1 victory against Bournemouth. [26]

Ahead of a match against Preston North End on 16 April 2024, he suffered an achilles injury during the warm-up. [27] Manager Russell Martin subsequently confirmed that Bazunu would be sidelined for nine to ten months. [28] [29] On 10 January 2025, he played for the under-21 side in a 5–0 victory over Fulham in Premier League 2. [30]

Standard Liège (loan)

On 3 February 2025, he joined Belgian Pro League club Standard Liège on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. [31] [32] On 24 April 2025, it was announced that Bazunu's loan was cut short due to a knee injury and he would be returning to Southampton. [33]

Stoke City (loan)

On 13 January 2026, Bazunu joined Stoke City on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. [34] [35] Injuries restricted Bazunu to just six appearances for Stoke. [36]

Bolton Wanderers

On 28 August 2026, Bazunu joined Bolton Wanderers on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. [37] [38]

He made his debut for Bolton on 8 September 2026 in a 3–2 defeat against West Ham United at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. West Ham's winner came from a Bazunu mistake. [39] Four days later he kept a clean sheet in a Man of the match performance against Cardiff City, with Bolton winning 1–0. [40]

International career

Bazunu has played for the Republic of Ireland at under-17 and under-21 youth levels. [2] [41] He played for the under-17s at the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. [42]

In March 2021, he was called into the senior Republic of Ireland team for the first time, for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. [43] He made his senior debut in a 1–0 defeat on 27 March 2021 against Luxembourg. [44]

In September 2026, Bazunu withdrew from the Irish squad ahead of UEFA Nations League games against Israel in protest against the Gaza genocide. [45] The rest of the squad voted by a majority to play the fixtures. [46]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 13 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [a] League cup [b] OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shamrock Rovers 2018 [2] League of Ireland Premier Division 4000002 [c] 060
Manchester City 2018–19 [47] Premier League 0000000000
2019–20 [48] Premier League0000000000
2020–21 [49] Premier League0000000000
2021–22 [50] Premier League0000000000
Total0000000000
Rochdale (loan) 2020–21 [49] League One 290102000320
Portsmouth (loan) 2021–22 [50] League One440200000460
Southampton 2022–23 [51] Premier League3201040—370
2023–24 [52] Championship 410000000410
2024–25 [53] Premier League000000—00
2025–26 [54] Championship1900000—190
Total920104000970
Standard Liège (loan) 2024–25 [2] Belgian Pro League 80———80
Stoke City (loan) 2025–26 [54] Championship6000——60
Bolton Wanderers 2026–27 [55] Championship500000—50
Career total18804060202000
  1. ↑ Includes FA Cup
  2. ↑ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 26 March 2024 [2]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Republic of Ireland 2021100
202230
202380
202410
Total220

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of shirt numbers: Rochdale" (PDF). English Football League. p. 59. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "G. Bazunu". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Malone, Emmet. "So far so good as Bazunu finds his feet at Manchester City". The Irish Times.
  4. ↑ "Gavin Bazunu's Mum Cara Farrelly on The Ray D'Arcy Show". 8 September 2021 – via www.rte.ie.
  5. ↑ Pyne, Anthony (8 July 2020). "Young, black and Irish — the generation ready to rise". www.rte.ie. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  6. ↑ "Todd Bazunu". shamrockrovers.ie. Shamrock Rovers F.C. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Bray, Joe (4 October 2018). "Who is Gavin Bazunu? New Man City signing in profile". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  8. 1 2 Quinn, Gavin (11 June 2018). "16-year-old Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper 'ready' for the big stage, claims Bradley". The42. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Cork City denied by 16-year-old sensation Gavin Bazunu". www.irishtimes.com.
  10. ↑ "AIK-Shamrock Rovers".
  11. ↑ "Manchester City complete deal to sign Gavin Bazunu from Shamrock Rovers". Sky Sports. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "Manchester City beat Chelsea and Tottenham to sign 16-year-old Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in record deal". Irish Independent. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Sherlock, Harry (4 October 2018). "Manchester City transfer news: Man City agree record deal to sign teenage goalkeeper". Goal. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  14. 1 2 Bray, Joe (9 February 2019). "New Man City signing makes debut after move brought forward". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  15. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Aidan (4 August 2020). "Irish teenager Gavin Bazunu included in Manchester City's Champions League squad". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Academy contracts update". www.mancity.com. Manchester City F.C. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  17. ↑ "Gavin Bazunu: Manchester City loan goalkeeper to Rochdale for 2020–21 season". BBC Sport. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  18. ↑ Cooney, Gavin (12 September 2020). "6 young Irish players to watch in England this season". The42. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  19. ↑ Connaughton, Gary (14 September 2020). "Irish Player Ratings: In-Depth Roundup Of Our Footballers Abroad". Balls.ie. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  20. ↑ Cummiskey, Gavin. "Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu joins Portsmouth on loan". The Irish Times.
  21. ↑ "Man City keeper Bazunu agrees Pompey loan". BBC Sport.
  22. 1 2 "Bazunu Named Players' Player Of The Season". www.portsmouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  23. ↑ "Saints complete Bazunu signing". Southampton FC. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  24. ↑ "Southampton sign Man City keeper Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis". BBC Sport. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  25. ↑ Bysouth, Alex (6 August 2022). "Tottenham Hotspur 4–1 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  26. ↑ Matthews, Callum (19 October 2022). "Bournemouth 0–1 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  27. ↑ House, Alfie (16 April 2024). "Martin on decision to start McCarthy as Bazunu expected to miss season". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  28. ↑ "Bazunu to be out for "nine to ten months"". Southampton FC. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  29. ↑ House, Alfie (19 April 2024). "Bazunu ruled out for 9-10 months through ruptured Achilles injury". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  30. ↑ "U21 Report: Saints 5–0 Fulham". Southampton FC. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  31. ↑ "Gavin Bazunu heads to Standard Liege for rest of season". RTÉ News. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  32. ↑ "Bazunu loaned to Standard Liège". Southampton FC. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  33. ↑ "Gavin Bazunu's Standard Liege loan spell cut short due to injury". RTE.ie. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  34. ↑ "Saints stopper Bazunu signs for Stoke City on loan". Stoke City FC. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  35. ↑ "Gavin Bazunu: Southampton goalkeeper joins Stoke City on loan". BBC Sport. 13 January 2026.
  36. ↑ "Stoke City loan over for keeper after disrupted three months". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  37. ↑ "Bazunu signs for Wanderers". Bolton Wanderers FC. 28 August 2026. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
  38. ↑ "Bolton Wanderers: Gavin Bazunu and Atsuki Ito join Championship club". BBC Sport. 28 August 2026.
  39. ↑ Bolton Wanderers 2 West Ham United 3, BBC Sport, 8 September 2026
  40. ↑ ]https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c6y4znek19y4t Bolton Wanderers 1 Cardiff City 0], BBC Sport, 12 September 2026
  41. ↑ Gavin Bazunu at Global Sports Archive
  42. ↑ "U17 EURO: Ireland complete squad with Idowu call-up". fai.ie. Football Association of Ireland. 1 May 2019. Archived from the original on 4 May 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  43. ↑ "Teenage goalkeeper Bazunu earns first call-up as Kenny names squad for World Cup qualifiers". The 42. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  44. ↑ Leahy, Ed (27 March 2021). "Teenage dream for Bazunu who makes Ireland debut". RTÉ. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  45. ↑ "Bazunu: 'I feel it would be wrong to participate'". RTE. 26 September 2026. Retrieved 27 September 2026.
  46. ↑ Cummiskey, Gavin; Cooney, Gavin (26 September 2026). "Ireland to fulfil Israel fixtures after player vote as Bazunu tells squad he will not play". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  49. 1 2 "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  50. 1 2 "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  54. 1 2 "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Gavin Bazunu in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
  56. ↑ "Bazunu claims Castrol Save of the Month award". Premier League. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  57. ↑ "The RTÉ Sport Awards 2021 winners revealed". RTÉ. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  58. ↑ "Cullen & McCabe claim Player of the Year awards". Football Association of Ireland. 15 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  59. ↑ "PFA League One Team of the Year". www.thepfa.com. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  60. ↑ "IFFHS Men's World Youth (U20) Team 2022". IFFHS. 12 January 2023.
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