Name: TJ Eyoma
Position: Right Back, Centre Back
Born: 29 January 2000, Hackney, London
Previous Club: Spurs
Contract Expires: ‘Multi Year’ deal signed August 2021
Lincoln Appearances:
2020/21: Appearance 49 (5)
Achievements
UEFA Under 17 European Championship Runner Up – 2017
FIFA Under 17 World Cup Winner – 2017
Stacey West Young Player of the Year – 2020/21
Timothy ‘TJ’ Eyoma started his career with local Hackney youth sides Clissold Rangers and Crown and Manor, before being snapped up by Spurs at the age of 15. After appearing in the Checkatrade Trophy for Spurs U21s in 2017/18, he signed a professional deal in September 2018, originally set to run through to the summer of 2021. That led to him appearing in the senior side during a pre-season tour of the U.S, and he featured on the bench for Spurs’ trip to West Ham in the Carabao Cup in October. He repeated that at home to Burnley in the Premier League two months later, again an unused sub.
His first-team chance arrived in January 2019 as he came off the bench for Spurs as they beat Tranmere 7-0 in the FA Cup. He entered the fray on 79 minutes, replacing Davison Sanchez in his only first-team appearance for them to date. The following season he appeared in all three of their Under 21 matches in the Leasing.com Trophy, and captained their Under 23 side, before finding his way to Sincil Bank in the winter window.
In addition to his domestic appearances, Eyoma has also featured regularly for his country at youth level, playing from Under 16 to Under 19. In 2017, he was a member of the England squad which won the Under 17 World Cup, featuring in the final as an unused substitute as Spain were thrashed 5-2. He was also a member of the same Under 17 squad that finished as runner up to Spain in the European Championship earlier in the same year.
Eyoma initially joined the Imps in January 2020, on the same day as Akeem Hinds. He was excited to get a stab at first-team football, saying on his arrival: “I’m delighted to have joined Lincoln and I am looking forward to getting started. The club like to play young players and I like the style they play. The manager seems like someone who will get the best out of me.”
Sadly, he was unable to get a first-team chance, with the early curtailment and he returned to Spurs without fans having a chance to watch him in action. Michael was impressed enough to go back for him over the summer, and despite not being given the chance in his first spell, TJ was equally as happy to come back to Sincil Bank. He penned a new three-year deal with Spurs before joining the Imps, and again he spoke of the club’s ability to develop players. “Michael likes to develop young players, and this is a reason why I wanted to return,” he said. “I feel like I’ll play games which will develop me further as a player, and hopefully my ability can contribute towards the team. I can’t wait to get going.”
He finally made his first competitive start in professional football as the Imps beat Crewe 2-1 in the League Cup, making his full Football League debut a week later as we beat Oxford United 2-0. He has gone on to establish himself as a key member of the first-team squad, equally as comfortable at right-back or centre back, although playing the bulk of his games on the flank.
Upon completion of the 20/21 season, he was rated as the SW Young Player of the Year. He ended up playing centre back in the absence of key players, holding on to the position when others returned to fitness.
On August 17, 2021, he was unveiled as a Lincoln City player after months of speculation, rejoining on a multi-year permanent deal.
These profiles will evolve into a full set of squad profiles which can be found here. When a player arrives at Sincil Bank, or departs the club, we will update their profiles and move them to our former player’s pages. We will also update any major absences, injuries or events as they happen on the player’s page.
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