Adebayo-Rowling signs one year contract with Rochdale AFC

Tobi Adebayo-Rowling

Defender Tobi Adebayo-Rowling has joined Rochdale AFC on a one-year deal.

Adebayo-Rowling won promotion from the National League with Notts County in 22/23, before making 19 appearances for them in League Two last season.

The 27-year-old said: “Jimmy [McNulty] rang me two days after I was let go by Notts County. Rochdale are a massive club so I thought it’d be silly not to join.

“I knew about the club from when they were in the league. I was buzzing. It’s a big chance for me to learn and play under Jimmy.

“I’m a wing-back who likes to get up and down, contribute with assists and to the defensive side. When I was speaking to Jimmy, he was talking about wanting to play out from the back, and I feel like it suited me right down to the ground.”

Head coach Jimmy McNulty said: “We are delighted to add Tobi to our group. He’s a player with proven credentials in both the EFL and National League, achieving promotion from the latter with Notts County.

“Besides being a good footballer at a good age who can help our team in a number of positions, I also believe Tobi possesses the personality and character that means he’ll be an excellent teammate and be well-received by the squad and fans alike.

“I’m really happy Tobi and his family have decided to commit to ourselves.”

Adebayo-Rowling was part of the Brighton & Hove Albion Academy as a youngster, before spells at Eastbourne Borough and Peterborough United.

He made his professional debut for Peterborough in August 2015 at the Crown Oil Arena against Dale.

Two-and-a-half years in Ireland with top-flight clubs Sligo Rovers and Cork City followed, before returning to England with Bromley in the summer of 2018.

A loan spell and subsequent permanent transfer to former club Eastbourne was followed by two seasons with Ebbsfleet.

He impressed there and was signed by Notts County in 2022, helping them to promotion in his first season and a mid-table League Two finish last season.