Banbury United’s latest signing was a key summer transfer target
Banbury United’s most recent signing, Tolu Ikuyinminu, has long been a transfer target for the club.
The versatile defender, predominantly an attacking left wing-back, signed in with the Puritans on Monday, October 26 after an impressive spell with Leighton Town.
Ikuyinminu spent two years with Leighton and helped the Reds to the Southern Division One Central title in 2025/26.
The experienced 26-year-old has also turned out for the likes of Dunstable Town, Buckingham Athletic, Potton United and Mursley United in the past.
Ikuyinminu was thrown straight in for his Banbury debut on Tuesday, October 27, donning the number three shirt at the left of a back four.
It certainly wasn’t the dream Puritans bow for the defender as the then Kelvin Langmead’s side were defeated 3-0 by the relegation-threatened Worcester City.
But it was a positive to get him involved nonetheless, particularly as he is a player Langmead has wanted to get on the books for a while.
“I’m delighted to get Tolu in. He was someone I wanted to get in the summer but, understandably after a brilliant season at Leighton, he wanted to stay there,” Langmead told Puritans Live, just a day before his resignation.
“Again, it brings in a bit more experience and a bit more know-how. But, as a team and individually, I brought them in because I think they’re good footballers.
“My job is to bring them together as a team and we’re not good enough at the moment.”
Ikuyinminu’s arrival means there’s now much better competition for the starting spot at left-back. Midfielder Joshua Cavallo has been playing out of position there for much of this season.
Although Cavallo was among the substitutes for the Worcester defeat, it could unlock the Australian in a more natural position further up the pitch.
With centre-back Jacob Scott sidelined, Ikuyinminu coming in also gives interim boss Craig McKay improved flexibility and overall depth in defence.
It might not immediately feel like it after a frustrating defeat, but Ikuyinminu signing should give Banbury a big boost – just like when AJ George and Josh Smile arrived a few weeks ago.
If the transfer business has the desired effect, then the Puritans could begin to look up the league standings rather than down.