Maxi Oyedele during the UEFA Nations League match between Poland and Portugal
Maxi Oyedele during the UEFA Nations League match between Poland and Portugal
When Maxi Oyedele was hooked after 35 minutes of League Two clash between Forest Green Rovers and Crawley Town earlier this year, nobody would have predicted the journey he has gone on since.
Oyedele made the move to Forest Green Rovers on loan from Manchester United in January, where he was highly rated by former United boss Erik ten Hag, but made just four appearances before it was cut short.
The last of those appearances came in a 2-0 defeat to Crawley in February. Rovers boss Steve Cotterill brought Oyedele on at half-time as he looked to revive his team's fortunes.
But just 35 minutes later, Oyedele faced the nightmare scenario of any professional: being a substitute that gets substituted.
He returned to United but the 20-year-old decided to make the move to Polish side Legia Warsaw in the summer as he looked for regular senior football to further his development.
Born in Manchester to a Nigerian father and a Polish mother, he made the move to his mother's homeland as he looked to kickstart his career.
"For me, it (the move away) is above all a huge chance to make a name for myself by playing for Legia," Oyedele said.
"When I came here, I had a talk with the coach. He presented me with a detailed and extensive plan. Of course, I realise what a great club Legia is. I want to win the championship with the club and be part of this winning team."
The young midfielder made an instant impression, and quickly established himself as an important part of the Legia side.
"Oyedele's quality on the ball, his character in retaining possession and his tactical awareness when to dribble or play simply are significant attributes," Legia manager Goncalo Feio said when praising Odeyele's impact in the Polish top flight.
"Bruno (Fernandes) even remarked he was stunned regarding United's decision to sell him - given Oyedele's showing during pre-season.
"His physical readiness, agility and ability to use his body effectively are top-notch. While fans love to see what he can do with the ball, Maxi brings physicality to our midfield. It's our responsibility to foster his development. Polish football stands to gain immensely from his talent."
And the Polish national team wasted little time in calling him up to their senior side. Having starred on the European stage by helping inspire Legia to a brilliant 1-0 win over Real Betis in the Europa Conference League, Oyedele was called up for Poland's matches against Portugal and Croatia.
Having struggled to break through at League Two level just months earlier, Oyedele found himself lining up alongside Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski and Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
He also found himself directly up against United captain Bruno Fernandes. Oyedele's debut lasted 66 minutes as Poland lost 3-1 to Portugal but he made a lasting impression on Fernandes.
"I think Maxi is a really good player," Fernandes told Polish TV channel TVP SPORT after facing Oyedele in the UEFA Nations League.
“He was always one of the players that everyone at the club thought would go from the academy into the first team."
He won his second cap for Poland against Croatia just days later but an ankle injury has curtailed his progress since. But Oyedele's story is only just beginning and few would have predicted his progression after the disappointment of his Forest Green spell.