Forward Daniel Oyetunde, a 19-year-old product of Arsenal’s famed academy system, has signed with Fort Wayne Football Club for its first season in USL League One.
Oyetunde’s addition Friday is pending league and federation approval.
“I’d been at Arsenal for the past five years and played throughout the age groups there from under-15 to under-21,” Oyetunde said. “I’ve chosen Fort Wayne because I believe it’s the right next step for my career as it’s men’s football in a good league. This new project is exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Oyetunde, who hails from London, England, is the 17th player added to the roster with Fort Wayne FC’s first professional match coming March 7 against FC Naples in Naples, Florida.
“Daniel Oyetunde is an exciting young player who is ready to make his mark in senior-level professional soccer,” Fort Wayne FC head coach Mike Avery said. “At Arsenal, he was exposed to some of the best coaching and most talented players anywhere in the world, and now he has an opportunity to lean on that experience as he embarks on a new journey in America with Fort Wayne FC.”
After signing his first professional contract last year with Arsenal of the Premier League, Oyetunde was loaned to St Albans City of the Isthmian League and played in an FA Cup match. He then scored one minute into his first league appearance for St Albans City before returning to Arsenal.
He also appeared in a Premier League 2 match last year for Arsenal’s U-21 team, the highest level squad within the Arsenal academy programs. Arsenal’s Hale End Academy has produced a bevy of international stars throughout its history, such as Tony Adams, Ashley Cole, Bukayo Saka and Cesc Fàbregas.
In 2024-25, Oyetunde had two goals and two assists in 13 matches for Arsenal’s U-18 squad.
“At just 19 years old, Daniel has his best years ahead of him,” Avery said. “He is a quick and tricky attacking player who can glide past defenders. We plan to deploy him on the wing, and he has already shown ability to be goal-dangerous from either side. This next year will be an exciting time of growth for Daniel, both on the field and off it.”
Fort Wayne FC’s first five matches will be on the road before the home opener, March 2, at Fort Wayne FC Park against the Charlotte Independence. Season tickets are on sale for fans to see the club play at the largest outdoor venue in Northeast Indiana, being built at Bass Road and I-69.
Fort Wayne Football Club roster
Javier Armas, midfielder, 26 years old
Clarence Awoudor, midfielder, 22 years old
Ryan Becher, midfielder, 24 years old
Aurie Briscoe, goalkeeper, 24 years old
Tiago Dias, defender, 24 years old
Jeremy Garay, midfielder, 22 years old
Taig Healy, midfielder, 22 years old
Anthony Hernandez, defender, 22 years old
JP Jordan, midfielder, 23 years old
James Musa, midfielder, 33 years old
Daniel Oyetunde, forward, 19 years old
Michael Rempel, defender, 24 years old
Lilian Ricol, attacker, 23 years old
Bernd Schipmann, goalkeeper, 31 years old
Jayden Smith, defender, 19 years old
Juan Solís, defender, 21 years old
Reid Sproat, defender, 24 years old
About Fort Wayne Football Club
Fort Wayne Football Club, founded in 2019, is a professional soccer club playing its first season in USL League One in 2026. The club is building a state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium, Fort Wayne FC Park, that will open at Bass Road and I-69 in 2026. In pre-professional USL League Two, Fort Wayne Football Club won division titles in 2023, 2024 and 2025. For more information, visit FortWayneFC.com.
About United Soccer League
Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes four men’s leagues: the newly announced, top-tier professional Division I league, the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth platform.