Gbemi Kingslyn Arubi (born 26 May 2004) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Burton Albion.
Club career
Youth career Arubi began playing with Dublin academy side Cherry Orchard before joining with academy of League of Ireland club Shelbourne in 2019, playing for their under-15 side initially, before playing for the under-17s in 2020 and their under-19s from 2021 to 2023.
Shelbourne Arubi was an unused substitute for the Shelbourne first team in 2022, before making his debut on 24 March 2023, scoring in a 4–0 win away to Dundalk. He made his League of Ireland Premier Division debut on 13 May 2023, replacing Jack Moylan from the bench in a 3–0 win away to Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds. He scored 2 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions before departing the club at the end of the 2023 season.
Waterford On 5 January 2024, Arubi signed for newly promoted League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford. On 2 February 2024, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Wilton United in the Munster Senior Cup. On 19 July 2024, he scored in a 2–1 FAI Cup victory over Cockhill Celtic at the RSC. On 12 November 2024, he was released by the club, having scored 2 goals in 11 appearances during the season.
Dundalk On 8 December 2024, Arubi signed for recently relegated League of Ireland First Division club Dundalk. On 9 May 2025, he came off the bench to score a 92nd-minute equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park, his first goal for the club. A week later he was rewarded with his first league start for the club and scored the winner in a 2–1 victory away to title rivals Cobh Ramblers. On 10 October 2025, he scored his 12th goal of the season in a 3–0 win over Finn Harps at Oriel Park to help his side secure the 2025 League of Ireland First Division title and promotion back to the Premier Division. On 26 October 2025, he was part of the team that won the 2024–25 Leinster Senior Cup by defeating St Patrick's Athletic 2–1 in the final at Richmond Park. On 15 December 2025, he signed a new contract with the club.
Burton Albion On 18 July 2026, Arubi signed for EFL League One club Burton Albion on an initial three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. 4 days after signing he sustained an injury in a pre-season friendly with Birmingham City which would keep him out of action for months.https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2026/august/07/preview--burton-albion-v-blackburn-rovers/
International career Arubi made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland U19 team on 1 May 2022, replacing Jad Hakiki from the bench in the 70th minute of a 3–0 friendly win over Iceland U19. In May 2026, he drew reported interest from the Nigeria Football Association in representing the nation of his parents' birth, with Arubi stating "I have to keep my options open" regarding his international future. On 6 June 2026, Arubi made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut, in a 2–2 draw away to Croatia U21.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsShelbourne2022LOI Premier Division0000––0020238000–32112Total8000–32112Waterford2024LOI Premier Division13011–31172Dundalk2025LOI First Division281210–3032122026LOI Premier Division23700–21258Total511910–515720Burton Albion2026–27EFL League One0000000000Career total721921001148524
Honours Dundalk League of Ireland First Division: 2025 Leinster Senior Cup: 2024–25
References