Former Arsenal defender Ryan Alebiosu has returned to British football, signing for St Mirren on loan from KV Kortrijk.
The 23-year-old is back in Scotland after a previous spell with Kilmarnock.
Ryan Alebiosu has returned to British football, signing for St Mirren on loan from KV Kortrijk until the end of the season. The former Arsenal academy graduate, now 23, is no stranger to Scottish football, having made 29 appearances for Kilmarnock during a loan spell two seasons ago when he was still at Arsenal.
Alebiosu’s career has been one of steady progression, with the English full-back first catching the eye in Arsenal’s youth system. A product of Hale End, he signed his first professional contract with the club in 2020 and featured regularly for the Under-23s, developing a reputation for his pace and ability to deliver in the final third.
His first taste of senior football came in early 2022, when he joined Crewe Alexandra on loan in League One. Though injuries limited him to six appearances, the spell provided valuable first-team experience. The following season, he moved north to Kilmarnock, where he played a key role in their campaign, featuring regularly and adapting well to the demands of the Scottish Premiership.
His performances in Scotland earned him a move from Arsenal to Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League, signing for KV Kortrijk in September 2023 for an unknown fee. Over two seasons, Alebiosu made 25 appearances for the Belgian side, including 13 league outings this term (with two assists), before opting to return to the UK in search of more playing time.
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson, who had previously attempted to sign Alebiosu during his time at Arsenal, was delighted to finally secure his services. “We tried to get him previously when he was at Arsenal,” Robinson said. “It’s a chance for him to put himself in the shop window and for us to benefit from a different type of right-sided player in certain games.
“He has experienced the league before. It was important to get someone who knows the league. It can be a shock to people’s system sometimes and it can surprise people.
“Ryan has experienced it before with Kilmarnock and he went abroad for a different experience.”
Described as a player with “electric pace and an end product in terms of crosses,” Alebiosu is expected to offer St Mirren a more attacking option on the right flank, particularly in games where they require greater width and offensive thrust. His arrival comes at a crucial time as the club pushes for a strong finish to the season. They are currently seven points above the relegation spot.
While Alebiosu’s long-term future remains uncertain, this latest move represents another opportunity for the former Arsenal prospect to prove himself in British football and potentially earn a permanent return to the UK after his time abroad.