Isaac Olaofe opens up on failed summer loan move to Barnsley, exit from Millwall and signing for Stockport County

Isaac Olaofe saw a transfer fall through on the last day of the summer window – his January 1 switch to Stockport County ensured no last-minute issues could hamper kicking on with his career.

Millwall agreed a six-figure deal for the 23-year-old striker which also includes sell-on and buy-back clauses.

Olaofe has signed a deal with the League Two club until the summer of 2025.

Barnsley had been set to take him on loan earlier in the campaign – Callum Styles sealing a temporary switch the other way on September 1 – only for the Tykes to fail to complete all the paperwork in time.

“Millwall gave me a possibility in the summer to move on,” Olaofe told the South London Press. “I decided to go down the League One route, to go on loan there, but unfortunately my move to Barnsley fell through.

“It was a very frustrating next couple of days after the deadline, simply because I turned down five other clubs to go to that team. I look back and if it was another club I was joining then I feel like they would have had it done and dusted in time.

“I did my medical and they took pictures [to announce his signing]. I think they didn’t submit the paperwork in time to the FA – or it didn’t have Millwall’s signature. These things, they happen.

“When I came back [to Millwall] I wasn’t given any opportunity. It was a clear indication that it was my time to go – to make a name for myself, start playing and enjoying my football again.”

Olaofe – known as Tanto – could still be back in Lions colours again with the option they inserted as part of his move.

“Never say never – that’s how I view it,” said the Lewisham-born frontman. “It means they can still monitor my journey and progress while I’m at Stockport.

“I spoke to the gaffer [Gary Rowett] just before I left and he said I’m at an age now when I need to reach my full potential. He thinks I’m going to have a good career, but the most important thing that I need is games.”

There are sliding doors moments in any players career and one of Olaofe’s arguably came after a very successful loan with Sutton United, winning the National League in 2021 and also being voted their Young Player of the Season.

He linked back up with the Lions but suffered a groin injury on their Scotland training camp which prevented him featuring in their friendly programme.

Instead of being able to stake a claim for greater first-team involvement, Olaofe was eventually loaned back to Sutton in August 2021.

“I just didn’t get as many opportunties as I wanted at Millwall,” he said. “Do I understand why? In all honesty, no. But at the end of the day I’m not the one who picks the team and I’m not the one who picks the squad. The gaffer made the decision he wanted to make – that’s fair enough.

“Sutton was amazing. It was just a shame that some of it was during Covid and we didn’t get the full support there in such an amazing season.

“Last season I was in and out due to injury, but we made a Wembley final [the EFL Trophy] and I got to play in front of my family and friends in front of 30,000 people. That is what dreams are made of.

“We missed out on the play-offs by a point, in our first season in the EFL, it was still a great achievement.”

Dartford-raised Olaofe’s new base will be in Manchester. He joined the Lions at U14 level after being spotted playing county football for Kent.

“In the last couple of days I messaged some of the people at Millwall who I felt had been most influential in my development,” said Olaofe. “My U18 days taught me a lot. Your scholarship period shapes you as a man, getting ready for a first-team environment.

“Those days growing up in the U16s and U18s, there is a massive thank you to Larry [McAvoy] and Chris [Perry]. Also Kevin Nugent and Robbo [Paul Robinson] as well, they helped my game and brought the best out of me.”

Stockport boss Dave Challinor revealed he had previously tried to sign Olaofe twice before.

“My target is seven to 10 goals in the last half of the season, I’ll be happy with that, or 10 goals and assists combined,” said Olaofe. “Ultimately the aim is to help the team finish in the play-offs as well.

“I feel like their vision aligns with mine. They want to work their way back up through the leagues and it is the same for me.

“They are definitely a club on the rise. They are massive at this level, they have the second or third highest attendance in League Two. The last game I went to there was just shy of 10,000 fans at the game.”