Taiwo Atieno

Opiyo Taiwo Leo Awounda was born in London, England. He is the son of Moussa Awounda, a former Nation Newspapers correspondent, and Bridget Mary Glaisher. He attended Alderwasley Hall School as a teenager. ==Club career==

England As a teen he began his football career at the age of 15 with Walsall F.C. After graduating from the club's youth system Taiwo lost his mother to cancer, during which time he spent a month with Southern League Premier Division club Nuneaton Borough on work experience, Atieno signed professional contract forms in July 2004 under then manager Paul Merson. He had loan spells at Rochdale, Chester City with Ian Rush, Kidderminster Harriers, and Darlington. Atieno was released by the club at the end of the 2005–06 season following their relegation from League One. After leaving Walsall F.C. Atieno joined Conference National club Tamworth in August 2006. Atieno scored 12 league goals, Signing in July, Atieno started his spell well, scoring 7 goals in 12 games. The Islanders surpassed expectations reaching the semi-finals of the USL playoffs. Atieno providing 2 goals against an experienced Montreal Impact side. In the 2008 campaign, Atieno scored a historic goal advancing Puerto Rico Islanders to CONCACAF Champions League group stages. Islanders overcame a 2–1 deficit to knock out the Primera División de Costa Rica L.D. Alajuelense. L.D. Alajuelense was the first Costa Rican team to win a CONCACAF Champions' Cup in 1986. In March 2009, Atieno joined Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division; he had requested a trade due to losing his father to cancer and was traded to Charleston Battery during the off-season, but later choose to join Rochester Rhinos instead. Back to England He moved back to England with Conference Premier team Luton Town in March 2010 on a short-term contract, but left in July. After training with South African club Supersport United during the English summer, he rejoined Luton on 2 September 2010 on a contract until January 2011 after rejecting a deal with the South Africans. Atieno scored his first goal for Luton against Bath City on 30 October. This was then followed up with two goals in a 4–2 FA Cup First Round replay victory over Corby Town on 17 November. Atieno's goal-scoring form continued into January where he followed up a brace of goals in the FA Trophy against Uxbridge with the final goal (his seventh of the season in all competitions) in Luton's 5–0 home win over York City on 18 January 2011. Despite this goalscoring run, Luton opted not to extend Atieno's contract. He was released on 31 January. and made his debut the next day, starting in their 1–0 away loss at Shrewsbury Town. Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Atieno went on a two-week trial with League Two side Torquay United. Three days later, Atieno scored again in Torquay's 2–0 victory over Championship side Bristol City. He signed a one-year contract with Torquay on 25 July 2011, with manager Martin Ling stating — "He has impressed us while he's been here and we've put in a contract that we feel is right". and scored his first goal in a 2–0 home win over Bradford City. Atieno left the club by mutual consent on 1 February 2013. ==International career==

In January 2009 Atieno declared his desire to play for the Kenya national football team, telling a reporter for the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation "It has been my dream to play for Kenya since I was 13". After Kenya's immigration minister stated that Atieno had to renounce his British citizenship before he could be granted a Kenyan passport, this seemed unlikely. Though reports the following day suggested he had received his passport and could play in the World Cup qualifier against Tunisia, this appeared not to have been the case. He made his debut as a late substitute in the June 2009 qualifier against Mozambique, played the whole of a friendly defeat in Bahrain, was again a substitute in the second qualifier against Mozambique, and played 46 minutes in the 1–0 qualifying loss to Tunisia. On 29 February 2012, Atieno returned to the international side after three years away, gaining his fifth cap, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Togo in 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. ==Personal life==

In June 2025, Atieno was charged with the assault of Sugababes singer, Keisha Buchanan. He was charged with eight charges over a 13-year period including assault between 2012 and 2015. He was also charged with controlling or coercive behaviour against Buchanan. He was placed on bail at Harrow Crown Court with pleas to be entered in August 2025. ==Honours==

;Puerto Rico Islanders • USL First Division Commissioner's Cup (1): 2008 ==References==