Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a box-to-box midfielder who left Manchester City’s academy to forge his own path through England, Turkey and Italy. Energetic and increasingly productive, the Lagos-born Nigerian earned a move to Serie A with Lazio and has become a Super Eagles international, adding goals and drive from midfield at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Oluwafisayo Faruq Dele-Bashiru |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Date of Birth | 6 February 2001 |
| Latest club | SS Lazio |
| League | Serie A (ITA) |
| Position | Central midfielder |
| Market value | €6.00m |
Playing style: A driving, goal-getting midfielder
A mobile 1.76m midfielder, Dele-Bashiru can operate as a box-to-box runner or an advanced playmaker.
- 🚀 Forward drive: Loves to carry the ball through midfield and burst into the box.
- 🎯 Goal threat: Arrives late in the area and finishes well for a midfielder.
- 🏃 Engine: Covers ground in both directions with a strong work rate.
- 🅰️ Creativity: Can play as a shadow striker or deep-lying playmaker when needed.
- 💥 Versatility: Comfortable across several central and attacking midfield roles.
Career: From Manchester City’s academy to Serie A
Dele-Bashiru’s journey took him from a decade at Manchester City to senior football at Sheffield Wednesday, a breakout spell in Turkey and, ultimately, a move to Lazio.
England beginnings and a Turkish breakout
A long-serving Manchester City academy player, Dele-Bashiru never featured for the first team and joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2020. Over three seasons he made 86 appearances and helped the Owls win promotion from League One in 2023.
A free transfer to Hatayspor in 2023 transformed his career. He scored nine goals in his debut Turkish season, finishing as the club’s joint-top scorer and netting a decisive strike to help them avoid relegation.
Establishing himself at Lazio
Lazio signed Dele-Bashiru in 2024, initially on loan, and made the deal permanent after triggering their option. He has settled into Serie A as a useful squad option, chipping in with goals and midfield energy.
Wearing the number seven in Rome, he has continued to develop against high-level opposition in Serie A and European competition. His rise mirrors the Danish-schooled path of compatriot Frank Onyeka, whom he assisted on his own international debut.
| Team (Appea.) | Goals |
|---|---|
| Sheffield Wednesday (86) | 6 |
| Hatayspor (39) | 9 |
| SS Lazio (45) | 4 |
Super Eagles: A rising midfield talent
Dele-Bashiru made his Nigeria debut in October 2023 against Mozambique, marking the occasion with an assist. He has since become a regular call-up for the Super Eagles.
He was part of Nigeria’s squad at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, adding legs and forward thrust to the midfield as the team fought its way to a third-place finish. At 25, he is firmly in the national-team picture heading into a new cycle.
| Competition (Stage) | MP (Goal) |
|---|---|
| AFCON 2025 (Third place) | 4 (0) |
Clubs journey: England, Turkey and Italy
Dele-Bashiru’s career has spanned three countries in barely five years, with the Hatayspor spell serving as the springboard to Serie A and international recognition.
Now settled at Lazio on a contract to 2028, the Lagos-born midfielder has turned an early release from Manchester City into a genuine top-five-league career.
| Years | Club |
|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | Sheffield Wednesday |
| 2023–2024 | Hatayspor |
| 2024–2025 | SS Lazio (loan) |
| 2025–Present | SS Lazio |