Quick Facts
AquariusBiography
Kareem Omolaja (born February 18, 1990) is a Nigerian footballer, who plays for I-League 2nd Division side Minerva Academy F.C. He played much of his career as central defender but he can also play as defensive/central midfielder or as occasional striker.
Personal life
Kareem was born in a sports loving family. His elder brother was also a footballer and Kareem started playing football getting inspired from his brother. Though, Kareem is a ardent follower of Arsenal F.C. but he is a big admirer of former Real Madrid C.F. defender Fernando Hierro. Kareem has a plan to open a football academy in future for the underprivileged children who are interested in football.
Youth career
Kareem joined Spartan Football Academy of Lagos in 2002, at the age of 12. In 2004, he represented Nigeria in All West African Academical Cup which Nigeria won and he adjudged as the best defender of the tournament.
Club career
Early career
Kareem became a professional at the age of 17 by signing with Lagos-based club Ola Oluwa Asejere FC in 2007, from there he moved to Libyan Premier League club Tersanah where he stayed for a couple of seasons.
Jammu & Kashmir Bank FC
In 2009, Kareem moved to India with Jammu & Kashmir Bank FC, on his debut season he won the 2009-10 J&K Premier League where he also awarded the best defender of the league. Kareem's second silverware of the season was G.V. Raja Football Tournament at Kerala, which Jammu & Kashmir Bank won after beating State Bank of Travancore 4-1 on penalties. Kareem was the joint top scorer of the tournament with 4 goals.
JCT FC
In 2010, Kareem moved to JCT Mills Phagwara. Kareem made his debut for JCT on September 21, 2010 against AIFF XI, later renamed as Pailan Arrows, in the 2010 Indian Federation Cup at Cuttack, where JCT failed to make it to the knock-out round after finishing at the bottom of their group. Kareem made his I-League debut on December 3, 2010 against HAL SC in a 0-1 losing effort. Kareem scored his first goal for JCT in a match against Air India on January 15, 2011 which JCT won 2-0 and Kareem adjudged as the Man of the match. His second goal came against Churchill Brothers SC on February 16, 2011, but this time his team lost 3-1. Though, JCT relegated from the I-League at the end of the season but Kareem was praised for a consistent performance.
Royal Wahingdoh FC
In 2011, Kareem joined Shillong based club Royal Wahingdoh. During Kareem's two year stay at the club, they won back to back Shillong Premier League in 2011-12 & 2012-13 and in both occasions Kareem played a crucial role in his team's triumph. Kareem was adjudged the best defender in the 2012-13 Shillong Premier League. Kareem also lifted Bordoloi Trophy at the club in 2011, he scored twice in the final for his team's 2-1 victory over Langsning F.C.
Southern Samity FC
In 2013 Kareem moved to Southern Samity where he stayed till 2015. From Southern Samity, he was loaned by Green Valley to play I-League 2nd Division 2013-14.
Lonestar Kashmir FC
Kareem joined newly founded Lonestar Kashmir in January 2015 prior to 2014-15 I-League 2nd Division where his team finished runners in its debut season. In May 2015, he was loaned by Assam State Premier League side Karbi Anglong Morning Star F.C. for the inaugural season of ASPL which Morning Star F.C. won after beating Kareem's former club Green Valley F.C. in final.
Mohammedan Sporting Club
In July 2015, Kareem signed for Kolkata giants Mohammedan where he was named Captain for 2015-16 season. He made his debut for Mohammedan in Calcutta Football League on August 9, 2015, against Mohun Bagan. However, He got a red card on his debut match for the club. Kareem scored his first goal for Mohammedan on August 23 against East Bengal. In October Mohammedan participated in the 2015 Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup at Bangladesh under Kareem's leadership, where Mohammedan failed to progress beyond the group stages. In November 2015, Mohammedan released him after he suffered a injury.
Minerva Academy FC
On 19 January 2016, Kareem signed for Minerva Academy F.C. prior to the final round of the 2015–16 I-League 2nd Division. Kareem made his debut for Minerva Academy FC on March 29, 2016 against NEROCA F.C. at Imphal. On April 3, 2016, Kareem captained Minerva against Mohammedan in a match which Minerva won 2-1 at Kolkata. On May 10, 2016, Kareem scored a hat-trick in his team's 3-2 win over Lonestar Kashmir FC at Srinagar, which was also his first in India, in the match Kareem has also captained the side. Kareem has scored another vital goal for his side on 19 May at Chandigarh, which gave Minerva a crucial win over Neroca FC. Minerva, eventually, failed to make it to the I-League after losing 3-1 to Dempo S.C. in the decider - Kareem did not played the match due to suspension – and settled for second spot. However, Kareem did achieve some personal glory as he finished as the top scorer for Minerva with 4 goals.
Tollygunge Agragami FC
Kareem returned to Kolkata next season, and on June 7, 2016, he ink the contractat Tollygunge Agragami to play the Calcutta Football League 2016-17. Kareem made his club debut on 2 August 2016 against George Telegraph S.C. in the Calcutta Premier Division - A 2016/17 coming on as a 89th minute substitute for Joël Sunday. Kareem made his first start for Tollygunge against Mohammedan Sporting on August 9 at Mohammedan Sporting Ground, where he scored one and provided the other to guide his team to a 2-1 victory.
Return to Minerva
Kareem returned to Minerva in November 2016 at DSK Cup in Pune where he scored in the first match against local side Bishops FC in his team's 9-0 victory.
Playing Style
Kareem is known for his solid defending and clean tackles on the ball, who can also play as central midfielder and occasional striker. Kareem is a specialist of dead ball and scored many goals from dead ball situations throughout his career.
Honours
Club
Jammu & Kashmir Bank FC
- J&K Premier League 2009-10
- G.V. Raja Football Tournament 2010
JCT FC
- Durand Cup 2010 (Runners)
Royal Wahingdoh FC
- Shillong Premier League 2011-12 & 2012-13
- Bordoloi Trophy 2011
Lonestar Kashmir FC
- I-League 2nd Division 2014-15 (Runners)
Morning Star FC
- 2015 Assam State Premier League
Minerva Academy FC
- I-League 2nd Division 2015-16 (Runners)