PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 18, 2017: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria inspect the pitch before the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 18, 2017: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria inspect the pitch before the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Former Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria finds himself without a club – and is now advertising for offers via the unorthodox footballer’s platform of LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform and as such it is often used to find work or engage with potential employers.
That extends to those working within football, including coaches and officials who are able to showcase their CVs to clubs looking to hire.
But it is less frequently used by footballers themselves, with the process of negotiating transfers and finding new clubs largely the work of agents.
MUNICH, GERMANY - Wednesday, August 2, 2017: Liverpool's Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria during the Audi Cup 2017 final match between Liverpool FC and AtlÈtico de Madrid's at the Allianz Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MUNICH, GERMANY - Wednesday, August 2, 2017: Liverpool's Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria during the Audi Cup 2017 final match between Liverpool FC and AtlÈtico de Madrid's at the Allianz Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
However Ejaria, who broke through under Jurgen Klopp in 2016 and went on to play eight times for Liverpool’s first team, is now actively searching for a club via LinkedIn.
“I’m currently a free agent and looking for the right opportunity,” the midfielder wrote in a post this week.
Ejaria was released by Spanish club Real Oviedo at the end of last season following a surprise move to LaLiga, and lists himself as an option as No. 6, No. 8, No. 10 and on the left wing.
“I’m keeping the details brief for now, but if there’s an opportunity or you know of a club looking for midfielder or someone who can play as a left winger, please feel free to DM me,” he added.
What happened to Ovie Ejaria at Liverpool?
PASADENA, USA - Wednesday, July 27, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp shakes hands with Oviemuno Ejaria after substituting him against Chelsea during the International Champions Cup 2016 game on day seven of the club's USA Pre-season Tour at the Rose Bowl. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
PASADENA, USA - Wednesday, July 27, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp shakes hands with Oviemuno Ejaria after substituting him against Chelsea during the International Champions Cup 2016 game on day seven of the club's USA Pre-season Tour at the Rose Bowl. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A product of Arsenal’s academy, Ejaria then joined Liverpool’s youth ranks in 2014 before stepping up to the senior setup under Klopp.
He debuted in a 3-0 win away to Derby in the League Cup in 2016, with two substitute appearances also coming in the Premier League.
But after loan spells with Sunderland, Rangers and Reading, he joined the latter on a permanent deal worth £3.5 million in 2020, playing 127 times for the Berkshire club before terminating his contract at the end of 2023.
Ejaria then went almost three years without a competitive appearance, despite trials with a host of clubs including Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle and even Egyptian side Zamalek.
LEYLAND, ENGLAND - Friday, September 1, 2017: Liverpool's Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria during the Lancashire Senior Cup Final match between Fleetwood Town and Liverpool Under-23's at the County Ground. (Pic by Propaganda)
LEYLAND, ENGLAND - Friday, September 1, 2017: Liverpool's Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria during the Lancashire Senior Cup Final match between Fleetwood Town and Liverpool Under-23's at the County Ground. (Pic by Propaganda)
He returned to action with Real Oviedo at the end of last year, but only made eight outings in his season in Spain with injuries taking their toll.
It is Ejaria’s fitness that has often held him back, but the hope is that after a useful experience in LaLiga he can secure another move in the coming weeks.
Though he is not the first high-profile footballer to use LinkedIn to advertise for a new club, the headlines generated by his post alone could help lay out a blueprint for those struggling to land moves in the future.
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