Former Gunner signs to play under his old manager again

Former Gunner Joseph Olowu has completed a move to Leyton Orient, signing to play under the same manager he left Arsenal for.

Leyton Orient confirmed the signing of former Arsenal academy defender Joseph Olowu this week, revealing they’ve agreed a three-year contract with the 26-year-old.

Olowu had spent the 2025/26 season with Stockport County, and he’s set to remain in League One with Leyton Orient.

“This move feels so right for me and I am very excited to get started,” Olowu said. “I want to be an influence on the team on and off the pitch and be a positive character around the place.”

Part of the appeal of joining the O’s was presumably the opportunity to play under Richie Wellens again. The current Leyton Orient manager was also the man who brought Olowu to Doncaster Rovers, the player’s first club after leaving Arsenal permanently.

Olowu and Wellens only spent a brief period together in Doncaster, with the former Gunner signing in September and Wellens departing the club in December. But the manager clearly liked what he saw.

“Jo is someone I signed from Arsenal and gave him his league debut,” Wellens recalled. “He’s won a promotion with Doncaster and been part of a team, in Stockport, that was successful last season.

“He is a good size and his data on duels is very good, both aerially and on the ground. He is quick and allows us to be very aggressive when we want to win possession back. We feel like we can leave Jo 1-vs-1 and, at 26, he is still on an upwards curve in terms of his career.

“On a personal note, he is a brilliant lad and a great character who will come in and be one of our leaders. This is a really good signing for us.”

Olowu will be particularly keen to get out onto the pitch given the way his season with Stockport ended, as an injury in April prevented him from playing any part in the season run-in.

Stockport were still in contention for promotion when Olowu got injured, but they finished third and lost the play-off final in his absence.

Leyton Orient were competing at the other end of the table, avoiding relegation by three points. Olowu will hope to help to change their fortunes and push them up the league this season.

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