Tani Oluwaseyi Bio
Tanitoluwa Oluwatimilehin Oluwaseyi is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Spanish La Liga side Villarreal. Born in Nigeria, he represents the Canada national team. Standing at 188 cm, Oluwaseyi has built his reputation as a clinical goal scorer across college soccer, Major League Soccer, and European competition.
Oluwaseyi began his senior career in the lower divisions of American soccer before being drafted by Minnesota United in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. After record-breaking loan form in the USL Championship and a strong spell with Minnesota, he completed a move to Villarreal in 2025, where he has quickly made an impact in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Early Life and Background
Tanitoluwa Oluwatimilehin Oluwaseyi was born on May 15, 2000, in Abuja, Nigeria. He moved to Mississauga, Canada, at age 10, settling with his family and beginning a new chapter that would shape his future in the sport. The transition from Nigeria to Canada introduced him to organized youth soccer in a new environment.
In Canada, Oluwaseyi played youth soccer with Erin Mills SC and the GPS Academy, two well-regarded development programs in the Ontario region. These early experiences allowed him to refine his attacking instincts and build the technical foundation that would later carry him to the college and professional ranks. He attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School, where he captained the Angels to a 17–0 record and a Provincial High School Championship during his senior year.
During his senior season at St. Joan of Arc, Oluwaseyi scored 30 goals and added 10 assists while serving as team captain. He was also a three-time MVP of the boys soccer team, finishing his high school career with 68 total goals over four seasons. While in high school, he also played club soccer for the GPS Academy, where he won the Golden Boot Award at the 2017 SuperCupNI and helped his team claim the Vase Cup.
Path to Soccer
Oluwaseyi’s path to professional soccer ran through the American college system. In 2018, he committed to playing college soccer at St. John’s University in New York. Over a four-year college career, he made 49 appearances for the Red Storm, scoring 20 goals and tallying 10 assists. His development at St. John’s was interrupted when he missed nearly all of his senior season, and his sophomore campaign was also truncated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the disruptions, Oluwaseyi earned numerous college accolades. He was named to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team in 2018, followed by BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-BIG EAST, and United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Atlantic Region honors in 2019. He added another First Team All-BIG EAST selection and a United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Second Team nod in the 2020–21 season.
Outside of his college commitments, Oluwaseyi gained senior experience in the amateur ranks. In 2021, he appeared for Manhattan SC in USL League Two, scoring once in two appearances. He also played with New York Pancyprian-Freedoms in the fifth-tier EPSL and was named to the roster of NPSL side FC Golden State. These experiences helped bridge the gap between college soccer and the professional ranks.
Tani Oluwaseyi Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Oluwaseyi’s early professional career was rooted in the lower tiers of North American soccer. His stint with Manhattan SC and the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms gave him valuable senior minutes away from the college spotlight. These appearances, though limited, allowed him to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of adult competition.
In January 2022, Oluwaseyi declared for the MLS SuperDraft and was selected 17th overall by Minnesota United. On February 25, 2022, he signed a one-year deal with the club. During the 2022 season, he split time between the first team and Minnesota United 2 in MLS Next Pro, continuing his development under the MLS umbrella. In November 2022, Minnesota exercised his contract option, keeping him at the club through 2023.
San Antonio FC Breakthrough (2023)
In April 2023, Minnesota United sent Oluwaseyi on loan to USL Championship side San Antonio FC for the remainder of the season. The move proved transformative. On his debut on May 7, 2023, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Las Vegas Lights, announcing himself as a clinical finisher in the second tier of American soccer.
Oluwaseyi’s form escalated quickly. On May 14, 2023, he scored a hat-trick against the Charleston Battery in a 7-0 rout, and he added a second hat-trick on July 7 against Memphis 901 in a 4-0 victory. Three weeks later, on July 29, he scored four goals against Hartford Athletic in a 5-2 win, reaching 13 goals on the season and breaking San Antonio’s single-season scoring record. The loan established him as one of the most dangerous young strikers in North America.
Minnesota United Era (2022–2025)
After returning from San Antonio, Oluwaseyi carved out a larger role with Minnesota United. On March 2, 2024, he scored his first MLS goal, a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew. The strike marked a turning point in his top-flight career. He finished the 2024 season with 8 goals and 6 assists across all competitions.
His contributions earned him a contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028. Oluwaseyi continued to develop as a central figure in Minnesota’s attack before his eventual departure to Europe. His progress with the Loons laid the groundwork for a high-profile move abroad.
Villarreal Era (2025–Present)
On August 29, 2025, Spanish La Liga side Villarreal announced the acquisition of Oluwaseyi from Minnesota United, with the forward signing a deal until 2030. The transfer marked a major step up in competition, moving from MLS to one of Europe’s traditional top leagues. Two days later, on August 31, he made his Villarreal debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo.
Oluwaseyi’s adjustment to Spanish football was swift. He scored his first La Liga goal for Villarreal on September 23, 2025, against Sevilla, just three days after earning his first assist for the club. The quick impact suggested he would be a regular contributor as the season progressed in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues.
Playing Style and Strengths
Oluwaseyi is recognized for his finishing instincts, movement off the ball, and composure in front of goal. His college and USL record demonstrate an ability to score in bunches, including multiple hat-tricks and a four-goal outing. He combines physical presence with sharp anticipation in the penalty area, allowing him to thrive as a central forward in varied attacking systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Oluwaseyi’s most memorable achievements is breaking San Antonio FC’s single-season scoring record during his 2023 loan spell. He also scored his first MLS goal in stoppage time against the Columbus Crew and opened his La Liga account with Villarreal against Sevilla. On the international stage, he scored his debut goal for Canada on March 23, 2025, the opener in a 2-1 win over the United States in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals third place match.
Tani Oluwaseyi Career Wins
Tanitoluwa Oluwatimilehin Oluwaseyi’s win record spans the college, lower-division, MLS, and La Liga levels. While exact professional win totals vary by competition, his goalscoring consistency has been a defining feature of his career. From breaking records in the USL Championship to scoring in La Liga, his attacking output has remained steady throughout.
USL Championship and Lower Division Highlights
During his 2023 loan at San Antonio FC, Oluwaseyi scored 13 goals and broke the club’s single-season scoring record. He opened his San Antonio account with a game-winning goal on debut and went on to record two hat-tricks and a four-goal performance. Earlier, he scored his first senior goal with Manhattan SC in USL League Two during 2021.
MLS and La Liga Highlights
Oluwaseyi scored 8 goals and added 6 assists for Minnesota United during the 2024 MLS season, a campaign that earned him a contract extension. After moving to Villarreal, he scored his first La Liga goal against Sevilla in September 2025. His transition to European football added another layer to a goalscoring resume built across multiple competitions.
Tani Oluwaseyi Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Tanitoluwa Oluwatimilehin Oluwaseyi was born in Abuja, Nigeria, and relocated to Mississauga, Canada, at age 10. Limited public details are available about his parents or extended family. His Nigerian heritage and Canadian upbringing have shaped a dual-identity background that mirrors his choice to represent Canada at the international level.
Personal Life
Oluwaseyi maintains an active presence on social media, including his verified account on X (formerly Twitter). He has been linked professionally to the Ontario soccer community through his high school and club years, and he continues to represent Canada internationally after being cap-tied during the 2024 Copa América. There is no public record of a spouse or children at this stage of his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year for Tanitoluwa Oluwatimilehin Oluwaseyi. He began the year with Minnesota United before completing a high-profile transfer to Villarreal on August 29, 2025. His contract runs through 2030, signaling long-term confidence from the Spanish club in his potential. The move followed a 2024 MLS campaign in which he recorded 8 goals and 6 assists for Minnesota.
At the international level, Oluwaseyi scored his first goal for Canada on March 23, 2025, opening the scoring in a 2-1 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals third place match. The strike reinforced his growing importance to the Canadian national team after earning his debut in June 2024 against France. His performances have positioned him as a key attacking option for Canada heading into future tournaments.
Following his move to Villarreal, Oluwaseyi registered a debut La Liga goal against Sevilla on September 23, 2025. His early contributions in Spain suggest a smooth adjustment to one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. With a long-term contract in place and momentum from both club and international duty, Oluwaseyi enters the latter part of 2025 with a clear path to continued growth at the top level.