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Michael Olabode Kayode (born 10 July 2004) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Premier League club Brentford.

Early life

Born in Italy, Kayode is of Nigerian descent.[2]

Club career

Gozzano

The son of Yoruba parents, Kayode started his youth career at Juventus, where he remained for seven years until 2018.[3][4] He played the 2020–21 season with Serie D club Gozzano, with which he scored two goals and two assists in 34 matches, and gained promotion to Serie C.[3] He cited his experience in Serie D as “a step backwards to make two forwards”.[3]

Fiorentina

Kayode joined Fiorentina after his spell in Serie D in 2021 and was integrated into their youth sector.[3] With Fiorentina, he won one Coppa Italia Primavera and one Supercoppa Italiana Primavera.[4]

On 19 August 2023, Kayode made his Serie A debut for Fiorentina in a 4–1 away victory over Genoa.[5] By the end of the season, Kayode had become a regular in Fiorentina’s first team with his performances reportedly attracting international attention from clubs around Europe,[6][7] featuring heavily in Serie A and in the squad that reached the final of the UEFA Conference League.[8]

Brentford

On 24 January 2025, Brentford announced that they had signed Kayode on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season, with an option to make the deal permanent.[9] Brentford signed Kayode permanently in May 2025, in a deal lasting until 2030.[10]

International career

In July 2023, Kayode’s 19th minute goal decided the final of the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, which Italy won 1–0 to Portugal.[3]

On 17 October 2023 he made his debut with the Italy U21, in the qualifying match won 2–0 against Norway in Bolzano.

Style of play

Predominantly a right-back, at Fiorentina Kayode also played as a left-back or in a double pivot as a third centre-back.[11] He has been noted for his long throws, frequently creating chances from throw-ins.[12][13][14]

Career statistics

As of match played 16 March 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Gozzano 2020–21 Serie D 34 2 — — — — 34 2
Fiorentina 2023–24 Serie A 26 1 4 0 — 6[c] 0 1[d] 0 37 1
2024–25 Serie A 5 0 0 0 — 7[c] 0 — 12 0
Total 31 1 4 0 0 0 13 0 1 0 49 1
Brentford (loan) 2024–25 Premier League 12 0 — — — — 12 0
Brentford 2025–26 Premier League 29 1 3 0 4 0 — — 36 1
Brentford total 41 1 3 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 48 1
Career total 106 4 7 0 4 0 13 0 1 0 131 4
  1. ^ Includes Coppa Italia, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA (Europa) Conference League
  4. ^ Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana

Honours

Fiorentina U19

Fiorentina

Italy U19

Individual

References

  1. ^ “2025/26 Premier League squad lists”. Premier League. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  2. ^ “‘He plays like a veteran’ – Pundit hails 19yo Kayode after Serie A debut for Fiorentina”. allnigeriasoccer.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e “Chi è Kayode, il laterale che ha consegnato gli Europei all’Italia Under 19”. Goal.com (in Italian). 19 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b “La Juve, la Serie D e ora la Viola: chi è Kayode”. sport.sky.it (in Italian). 17 July 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  5. ^ “Genoa vs. Fiorentina – 19 August 2023 – Soccerway”. us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  6. ^ “Michael Kayode: Italy’s Future Starter at Right Back?”. Breaking The Lines. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  7. ^ “Top Premier League club spy on Michael Kayode”. Score Nigeria. 24 June 2024. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b “History: Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina”. UEFA. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  9. ^ “Brentford sign Michael Kayode from Fiorentina”. brentfordfc.com. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  10. ^ “Brentford transfer news: Bees make Michael Kayode deal permanent”. BBC Sport. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  11. ^ “Michael Kayode: Italy’s Future Starter at Right Back? – Breaking The Lines”. Breaking The Lines – Curated Football Opinions. 4 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  12. ^ “Man City analysis: Why Michael Kayode should be Pep Guardiola’s top right-back target this summer”. Squawka. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  13. ^ Dove, Ed (28 October 2025). “Brentford star Michael Kayode’s long throws are becoming a real Premier League problem”. ESPN.com. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  14. ^ Dalling, Sam (26 October 2025). “Brentford vs Liverpool: Michael Kayode’s not-so-secret weapon and Mohamed Salah’s struggles”. FourFourTwo. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  15. ^ “Fiorentina U19 vs. Atalanta U19 – 4 May 2022 – Soccerway”. us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  16. ^ “Fiorentina U19 vs. Torino U19 – 4 April 2024 – Soccerway”. us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  17. ^ “Portugal 0-1 Italy: Kayode heads resilient Azzurrini to second Under-19 title”. UEFA. 16 July 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.