Solomon Taiwo

Solomon Oladiran Taiwo Date of Birth: Apr 29, 1985

Moving to London from Nigeria at just 18 months, Solomon Oladiran Taiwo was a product of the Millwall academy until 2004. Taiwo spent the next few years of his career in non-league; turning out for various clubs including Bromley, Maidenhead, Chesham United and Sutton United. His talent was spotted by Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still and was taken on loan at the League Two side in October 2007, before making the move from Sutton permanent a month later. Taiwo became a fan favourite with the Daggers faithful and was voted player of the year in 2008-09. Taiwo joined Cardiff City in 2009 for £250,000, but his appearances were limited and he found himself out of the Football League once again after three years in South Wales.

Taiwo later reunited himself with John Still, now manager of Luton Town, in March 2013. On signing, Still described Taiwo as “a bright boy” and a “strong and good passing footballer”. Taiwo was a bit-part player in the Hatters’ record-breaking Skrill Premier title win in 2013-14. In all, Taiwo made 16 appearances for the Town - scoring two goals.

Taiwo left Luton in January 2015 on a permanent deal to Dover Athletic following a short loan. Taiwo would not reach the heights of the Football League again, spending the rest of his career in non-league football in the south of England - hanging up his boots at the age of 34 following a turn with Faversham Town. In this period,Taiwo spent a few years as an academy manager for Millwall's Community Trust, before leaving football altogether in 2021 - moving into the world of recruitment.

In a surprising turn of events, Taiwo made a cameo on BBC's cooking competition MasterChef in 2017 - however he was eliminated in the first round after his spicy chicken and pasta dish didn't impress the judges.