Afeez Aremu is a Nigerian professional footballer whose journey from Ibadan to European football has been strongly shaped by his family. The defensive midfielder, whose full name is Afeez Aremu Olalekan, developed his career in Nigeria before playing in Norway, Germany and Scotland.
Unlike many footballers who reveal little about their relatives, Aremu has spoken openly about the people who helped him pursue his career. He is the youngest of six children and has two brothers and three sisters. His older brothers were themselves footballers and played a particularly important role in introducing him to the sport.
Aremu is also married to his longtime partner Joy. The couple have children together, including a publicly named daughter called Brielle. By 2026, Aremu was referring publicly to his young children in the plural when discussing why his move to Aberdeen was important for his family.
Who Are Afeez Aremu’s Parents?
The names of Afeez Aremu’s parents have not been reliably published in established football coverage, but the midfielder has provided significant information about their influence on his upbringing.
Aremu grew up in Ibadan, Nigeria, as the youngest child in a large family. He revealed that his father had two wives and that altogether he grew up with two brothers and three sisters.
His mother and father initially had concerns about Afeez pursuing football professionally. Their hesitation was influenced by the experiences of his older brothers, who had also attempted to build careers in the sport without ultimately establishing themselves in European football.
Because of those experiences, his parents wanted their youngest son to concentrate more heavily on education and potentially continue his studies rather than depend entirely on football.
Aremu, however, had already decided from a young age that becoming a professional footballer was his ambition.
Who Was Afeez Aremu’s Father?
Afeez Aremu’s father has not been publicly identified by name in reliable mainstream sources.
Aremu has nevertheless shared several important details about him. His father was the head of a large family and had married two women, with Afeez growing up as the youngest of six children.
Although his father initially questioned whether football was the safest future for his son, he eventually supported Afeez financially when it became clear how determined the youngster was to pursue the sport.
One particularly important contribution came when Aremu needed his first international passport. His father provided the money required to obtain it, helping create the possibility for his son eventually to pursue football opportunities outside Nigeria.
That support became significant because Aremu would later leave Nigeria to continue his career in Europe.
What Happened to Afeez Aremu’s Father?
Afeez Aremu lost his father while he was still young. By the time the midfielder moved to FC St. Pauli in Germany in 2020, he had publicly revealed that his father had already been gone for approximately a decade.
His father therefore did not live to see many of the biggest achievements of Aremu’s European career.
Nevertheless, Aremu has remembered the practical support his father provided during the early stages of his journey, particularly helping him obtain the documentation needed to pursue opportunities outside Nigeria.
After establishing himself professionally, Aremu also made supporting the relatives he still had at home one of his priorities.
Who Is Afeez Aremu’s Mother?
Afeez Aremu’s mother has not been publicly identified by name in reliable football reporting.
She raised Aremu in Ibadan and initially hoped her youngest son would place greater emphasis on his education.
At one stage, the family considered the possibility of Aremu travelling to the United States to continue his studies because his mother had a brother living there.
Aremu, however, remained determined to pursue football.
His mother eventually began supporting that ambition more directly. Aremu has recalled that she bought football boots for him, something he interpreted as evidence that his parents were becoming proud of the progress he was making.
His mother remained an important part of his family in Nigeria after he moved abroad and began earning a living as a professional footballer.
How Did Afeez Aremu’s Parents Support His Football Career?
Afeez Aremu’s parents initially viewed education as the safer path for their youngest child, but their attitude gradually changed as his football ability became increasingly obvious.
His father provided money for his first international passport, while his mother bought football boots for him.
Those gestures were particularly meaningful because Aremu did not grow up with the financial advantages available to many academy footballers in Europe.
His family had already experienced the challenges associated with trying to build a football career through his older brothers, making his parents understandably cautious.
Once Afeez began making progress, however, they helped provide the practical support he needed to continue.
Does Afeez Aremu Have Brothers and Sisters?
Yes. Afeez Aremu has five siblings.
He has publicly stated that he grew up with two brothers and three sisters, making him the youngest of six children.
Aremu has described himself as the youngest member of the family and recalled that his older relatives looked after him closely while he was growing up in Ibadan.
His brothers were especially important to his football journey because both played the sport before him.
His sisters have remained much more private, and their names and personal backgrounds have not been reliably published.
Who Are Afeez Aremu’s Brothers?
The names of Afeez Aremu’s two brothers have not been reliably documented in major football sources, but both played football when they were younger.
Aremu has credited them as the people who first made him interested in the sport.
His brothers regularly took him to football training sessions and matches when he was a small child. Aremu recalled that his eldest brother would sometimes carry him on his shoulders and take him wherever he was going.
While watching his brothers and their friends playing, young Afeez began spending more time with a football himself.
That exposure eventually led him into an academy and helped transform football from something his brothers played into his own ambition.
Did Afeez Aremu’s Brothers Play Football?
Yes. Both of Afeez Aremu’s brothers played football.
One of his brothers reached a particularly promising level and was involved with a Nigerian representative team connected to the UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup during the same era as John Obi Mikel.
However, changes within the coaching setup affected his progress, and he did not ultimately establish the international or European career he had hoped for.
Both brothers eventually stopped pursuing football seriously after experiencing difficulties trying to progress in the sport.
Rather than allowing those setbacks to discourage Afeez, they became determined to help their younger brother reach the level they had been unable to achieve themselves.
How Afeez Aremu’s Brothers Helped His Career
Afeez Aremu has repeatedly credited his two brothers with making enormous sacrifices to support his football career.
They bought him football boots, clothing and other equipment when he could not afford those things himself.
When Aremu needed money during difficult stages of his early development, his brothers and friends would send him financial support so that he did not have to abandon his ambitions.
One brother also helped Aremu enter the Joseph Dosu Football Academy, an important step in his development.
Aremu initially struggled to establish himself there, but he returned after an unsuccessful trial period and eventually earned a place.
His older brother continued helping with food, clothes and other necessities while Afeez attempted to establish himself.
Aremu has made clear that the sacrifices of his brothers were among the biggest reasons he managed to turn professional.
Does Afeez Aremu Have Sisters?
Yes. Afeez Aremu has three sisters.
Their names have not been reliably disclosed publicly, and they have maintained private lives away from their brother’s football career.
Aremu has nevertheless mentioned them when discussing his early professional years.
When he began earning his own salary as a young footballer in Nigeria, one of the things that made him happiest was finally having enough money to help his sisters financially.
That experience reflected the importance Aremu has consistently placed on supporting his family after beginning his professional career.
Is Afeez Aremu the Youngest in His Family?
Yes. Afeez Aremu is the youngest of six children.
He grew up with two older brothers and three sisters in Ibadan.
Being the youngest meant that Aremu received considerable attention from his siblings. He has recalled that everyone wanted to look after him and protect him when he was a child.
His older brothers were particularly influential because their interest in football introduced him to the sport that would eventually become his profession.
Who Is Afeez Aremu’s Wife?
Afeez Aremu’s wife is named Joy.
Joy and Aremu were already in a long-term relationship before he joined German club FC St. Pauli in 2020.
At that stage, Aremu revealed that they had been together for more than two years. Joy remained in Nigeria while Aremu pursued his career in Europe, creating a long-distance relationship.
Aremu described Joy as an extremely important source of motivation in his life and made clear that he intended to marry her.
That plan eventually became reality in 2021.
When Did Afeez Aremu Marry Joy?
Afeez Aremu married Joy in Nigeria in 2021.
The wedding took place after Aremu returned home during the closing stages of the 2020/21 season while playing for FC St. Pauli.
Before that journey, he had spent a long period separated from both Joy and his wider family because his career was based in Europe.
Returning to Nigeria gave the couple an opportunity to marry and begin the next stage of their relationship.
Aremu subsequently returned to Germany as a married man and began working toward bringing his wife to Hamburg so that they could finally live together permanently.
How Did Afeez Aremu Meet His Wife Joy?
Aremu has not publicly provided a detailed account of exactly how or where he first met Joy.
What is known is that the couple had already been together for more than two years by the summer of 2020, meaning their relationship began before Aremu joined St. Pauli.
Much of their early relationship was conducted across different countries because Aremu’s career had taken him first to Norway and then Germany while Joy remained in Nigeria.
The midfielder regularly communicated with her remotely and described the separation from his partner and family as one of the hardest parts of living abroad.
Why Joy Was Important During Afeez Aremu’s Career in Germany
Living away from Joy had a significant impact on Afeez Aremu during his first season with St. Pauli.
He spent an extended period without seeing either his partner or his family in Nigeria and later acknowledged that the separation made adjusting to life in Germany more difficult.
Returning home in 2021 and marrying Joy gave Aremu an important emotional boost.
His performances improved after returning to Hamburg, and the midfielder later spoke openly about feeling happier and more settled.
After visa arrangements were completed, Joy was eventually able to join her husband in Germany.
Aremu described having his wife with him as a major improvement to his everyday life because he no longer had to return to an empty home after training or matches.
Does Afeez Aremu Have Children?
Yes. Afeez Aremu is a father.
His first publicly identified child is a daughter named Brielle, who was born in January 2022.
More recent comments indicate that Aremu and Joy now have more than one child.
When discussing his move to Aberdeen in 2026, Aremu repeatedly referred to his “kids” and explained that their future was one of the reasons he wanted to move to an English-speaking country.
However, reliable public sources have not clearly established the exact number of children the couple now have or publicly identified the names of any additional children.
It is therefore accurate to say that Aremu has multiple young children, with Brielle being the child whose name has been publicly documented.
Who Is Afeez Aremu’s Daughter Brielle?
Brielle is the publicly identified daughter of Afeez Aremu and his wife Joy.
She was born in January 2022 while her father was playing for FC St. Pauli in Germany.
Her arrival marked another major change in Aremu’s personal life after his marriage to Joy the previous year.
The midfielder spoke positively about becoming a father and suggested that family life gave him additional motivation away from football.
By the end of 2022, Aremu, Joy and Brielle were living together in Hamburg, which he described as a second home for his family.
How Many Children Does Afeez Aremu Have?
The exact current number of Afeez Aremu’s children has not been reliably disclosed publicly.
His daughter Brielle is publicly confirmed and was born in January 2022.
However, during interviews surrounding his move to Aberdeen in 2026, Aremu referred several times to his “kids” and “young kids,” clearly indicating that his family had expanded beyond the one publicly named daughter.
The names, ages and exact number of his additional children have not been reliably reported.
For privacy and accuracy, Brielle should therefore be identified as his publicly named daughter while any additional children are best described collectively.
Why Afeez Aremu Moved His Wife and Children to Aberdeen
Family was an important consideration when Afeez Aremu decided to join Aberdeen in January 2026.
The midfielder had other opportunities, including interest from clubs elsewhere in Europe, but the possibility of raising his children in an English-speaking environment appealed to him.
Aremu explained that his children were young and that he needed to consider their future rather than make a transfer decision based exclusively on his own football career.
Having spent several years living in Germany, he felt that Scotland could make everyday integration easier for both himself and his family.
His wife Joy was involved in those discussions, and the family ultimately prepared to join him in Aberdeen.
Afeez Aremu’s Family Joined Him in Scotland
During the closing stages of the 2025/26 season, Afeez Aremu confirmed that his family had travelled from Nigeria to join him in Aberdeen.
Their arrival coincided with one of his best moments since joining the Scottish club.
Aremu scored an important goal against Kilmarnock shortly after his relatives arrived in Scotland.
He revealed that his brother helped collect family members from the airport, further demonstrating how closely connected he remains to his siblings even after spending many years playing abroad.
For Aremu, having his wife and children living with him was also important because previous periods of separation from his family had been difficult during his career in Europe.
Afeez Aremu Has Always Supported His Family Financially
Afeez Aremu has described himself as strongly family-oriented and has regularly helped his relatives financially since becoming a professional footballer.
Even during his early career in Nigeria, earning his first meaningful salary gave him the opportunity to provide money to his sisters.
After moving to Europe and increasing his earnings, supporting relatives back in Ibadan remained one of his priorities.
Aremu has previously explained that his first thoughts after receiving money were often connected to his family.
The attitude reflects the sacrifices his brothers and parents made during the years when he had very little money of his own.
His professional success therefore became a way of returning some of the support the family had given him as a young player.
Afeez Aremu’s Family Background and Childhood in Ibadan
Afeez Aremu Olalekan was born on October 3, 1999, in Ibadan, Nigeria.
He grew up as the youngest of six children in a large family with two brothers and three sisters.
Football entered his life largely through his brothers. Both played the sport and regularly took the young Afeez with them to training sessions and matches.
He began playing seriously at a very young age and later entered an academy connected to former Nigeria goalkeeper Joseph Dosu.
His journey was not straightforward. Aremu experienced unsuccessful trials and financial challenges, but his brothers continued helping him with equipment, clothes, food and money.
That persistence eventually resulted in opportunities with Remo Stars and other Nigerian clubs before he established himself in the country’s top division.
How Afeez Aremu’s Career Took Him From Nigeria to Europe
Aremu progressed through several Nigerian clubs, including Sunshine Stars, Rivers United and Akwa United.
His performances eventually attracted attention from Europe, and he moved to Norwegian club IK Start in 2018.
Leaving Nigeria represented a major achievement for a player whose parents had initially worried that football might not provide a stable career.
Aremu established himself in Norway before earning another major transfer when FC St. Pauli brought him to Germany in 2020.
He later moved to 1. FC Kaiserslautern before joining Aberdeen in January 2026.
Throughout those moves, family remained a recurring subject whenever Aremu discussed the personal challenges of playing abroad.
FAQ About Afeez Aremu’s Family
Who are Afeez Aremu’s parents?
The names of Afeez Aremu’s parents have not been reliably disclosed publicly. His father supported his early career financially, while his mother also helped him by buying football boots.
Who was Afeez Aremu’s father?
Afeez Aremu’s father has not been publicly identified by name. He had two wives and was the father of a large family. He also helped Afeez obtain his first international passport.
Is Afeez Aremu’s father still alive?
No. Aremu publicly revealed during his early years in Germany that his father had died while he was still young.
Who is Afeez Aremu’s mother?
Afeez Aremu’s mother has not been publicly identified by name. She lived in Ibadan and initially wanted Afeez to concentrate on his education before later supporting his football ambitions.
Does Afeez Aremu have siblings?
Yes. Afeez Aremu has five siblings: two brothers and three sisters. He is the youngest of six children.
Does Afeez Aremu have brothers?
Yes. Aremu has two older brothers. Both played football and were hugely influential in helping him become a professional player.
Does Afeez Aremu have sisters?
Yes. Afeez Aremu has three sisters. Their names have not been reliably disclosed publicly.
Did Afeez Aremu’s brothers play football?
Yes. Both brothers played football. One reached Nigerian representative level during his youth, while both eventually focused their efforts on helping Afeez achieve his professional ambitions.
Who is Afeez Aremu’s wife?
Afeez Aremu’s wife is Joy. They were longtime partners before marrying in Nigeria in 2021.
When did Afeez Aremu marry Joy?
Afeez Aremu and Joy married in Nigeria in 2021 while the midfielder was playing for FC St. Pauli in Germany.
Does Afeez Aremu have children?
Yes. Afeez Aremu has young children with his wife Joy. His publicly named daughter is Brielle, while comments made in 2026 indicate that the couple now have more than one child.
Who is Afeez Aremu’s daughter?
Afeez Aremu’s publicly identified daughter is Brielle, who was born in January 2022.
How many children does Afeez Aremu have?
The exact number has not been reliably made public. Brielle is his publicly named daughter, while Aremu referred to his young children in the plural during interviews in 2026.
Where is Afeez Aremu from?
Afeez Aremu was born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria.
What is Afeez Aremu’s full name?
His full name is Afeez Aremu Olalekan.
When was Afeez Aremu born?
Afeez Aremu was born on October 3, 1999.
Which club does Afeez Aremu play for?
Afeez Aremu joined Aberdeen from 1. FC Kaiserslautern in January 2026 and signed a contract running until 2028.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
