Ahmed Adebayo: Nigerian striker joins FC KTP from IK Start

Nigerian centre-forward Ahmed Adebayo has joined Finnish side FC KTP from IK Start in Norway’s top flight. The 24-year-old moves to the Ykkosliiga club after a productive campaign on loan in Malta last season.

Adebayo, who stands at 1.88m and is right-footed, arrives in Kotka looking to convert his recent form into goals in Finland’s second tier. He becomes the latest attacking addition to FC KTP’s squad as they strengthen their options through the middle of the frontline.

The Lagos-born forward spent the 2025-26 season split between IK Start and Valletta, initially moving to the Maltese club on loan in January before returning to Norway at the end of the campaign. During the Maltese Premier League closing round he scored five goals and recorded one assist in 15 appearances, adding another goal in the domestic cup.

That contribution helped Valletta lift the Maltese Cup in 2025-26, the first major honour of Adebayo’s senior career. Across league, cup and play-off fixtures last season he showed an ability to influence games despite not always starting, featuring in every closing-round league fixture and both cup ties available to him.

Adebayo’s path to Scandinavia began with youth football at FC Ebedei in Nigeria and a move to Midtjylland’s under-19 set-up, before senior spells in Latvia and Estonia paved the way for his switch to IK Start in 2025. His transfer to FC KTP marks his first move into Finnish football as he continues his career in the Nordic region.