Ovie Ejaria’s setbacks from Liverpool to LinkedIn | OneFootball

2016 started with plenty of promise for Ovie Ejaria. Even before the competitive season began, the midfielder had caught the eye of Jürgen Klopp.

He was brought into the first-team group for the pre-season friendlies, where his performances only heightened expectations. The Liverpool academy product looked ready to take the next step... instead, he began the year in the medical department. It would become a familiar story throughout his career.

Ten years later, Ovie Ejaria is once again attracting international attention, largely thanks to social media. This time, though, it has little to do with what he can do on a football pitch. The English midfielder surprised many by turning to LinkedIn to advertise himself in search of a new club.

"Feel free to send me a message," Ejaria wrote, inviting anyone aware of an opportunity to get in touch with a player whose career once seemed destined for much more.

It is an unusual move in professional football, particularly for someone who has experienced life at the highest level. Ejaria even played in Spain's top flight last season, although his contribution was limited to just eight appearances.

Those were his only eight games in three years...

Injuries and indiscipline: Ovie’s fall

After coming through the Arsenal academy before joining Liverpool, Ejaria was considered a player with the potential to reach the very top. Klopp handed him his first-team debut in 2016/17, although muscle problems had already disrupted his integration with the senior squad.

He made just eight appearances for the Reds before being sent out on loan to gain experience. Sunderland came first, followed by Rangers and, finally, Reading, who made his move permanent in 2020.

Still young, Ejaria found his feet in the Championship. He quickly won over the Royals supporters and, for a while, everything pointed towards a solid career in England's top two divisions.

Then, in 2022, things began to unravel.

A serious knee injury and recurring physical problems kept him out for long periods, while questions were also being raised about his conduct away from the pitch.

"Ovie is a great lad. He always trains well, but in disciplinary terms he cannot do those things," Reading manager Paul Ince said at the time, highlighting some of the issues surrounding the midfielder.

Ejaria eventually spent around a year on the sidelines, caught between injury rehabilitation, persistent physical problems and disciplinary matters. Even after Ruben Selles took charge and the midfielder returned to full fitness, doubts remained over his commitment.

"He needs to show his best. At the moment, he is not injured and is getting back to full fitness so he can play. He needs to show that he wants to play and that he is ready. He needs to show that he wants to play and do things for this club," Selles said.

By the end of 2023, Ejaria's contract had been terminated. What followed was a 'career gap' that would last until the 2025/26 season.

A fresh chance in Oviedo

He did not need a LinkedIn advert to get that chance.

Ejaria spent time on trial at several clubs without managing to secure a contract before receiving a call from his former Reading manager, Veljko Paunović. The Serbian coach was now in charge of Real Oviedo and offered him an opportunity to return to professional football.

For Paunović, it was a calculated gamble. If he could get Ejaria back to his best, Oviedo would have a player capable of providing an unexpected boost to a modest squad.

It never quite happened.

Ejaria played just 197 minutes across the entire season, making eight appearances and starting only two of them. He never completed a full 90 minutes.

Released at the end of the campaign, Ejaria is now once again looking for a way back into football.

At 28, the midfielder has turned to LinkedIn, hoping that the right message might finally put him back on the pitch.