{{short description|American soccer player}} {{Other people|Will John}} {{Use American English|date=March 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Will John | fullname = William Oluremi John | image = William Oluremi John (Con Oluremi) accepting the December and March Goal of the month awards..jpg | image_size = 330 | caption = John with two of his three Goal of the Month awards at Shuvalan FK | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|6|13}} | birth_place = [[Overland Park, Kansas]], U.S. | height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}} | currentclub = | clubnumber = | position = [[Midfielder]], [[Forward (association football)|Forward]] | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [[Rockhurst High School|Rockhurst Hawklets]] | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Kansas City Attack | collegeyears1 = | college1 = [[Saint Louis Billikens men's soccer|Saint Louis Billikens]] | collegecaps1 = | collegegoals1 = | years1 = 2003–2004 |clubs1 = [[Kansas City Brass]] |caps1 = 12 |goals1 = 6 | years2 = 2005 |clubs2 = [[Chicago Fire FC|Chicago Fire]] |caps2 = 6 |goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2006–2007 |clubs3 = [[Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards]] |caps3 = 4 |goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2008 |clubs4 = [[Randers FC|Randers]] |caps4 = 1 |goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2008 |clubs5 = [[FK Čukarički|Čukarički]] |caps5 = 3 |goals5 = 0 | years7 = 2009–2011 |clubs7 = [[NK Vinogradar|Vinogradar]] |caps7 = 38 |goals7 = 3 | years11 = 2013–2014 |clubs11 = [[AZAL PFK|AZAL]] |caps11 = 41 |goals11 = 12 | years12 = 2014–2015 |clubs12 = [[MAS Fez]] |caps12 = 3 |goals12 = 0 | years13 = 2015–2016 |clubs13 = [[Rovaniemen Palloseura|RoPS]] |caps13 = 38 |goals13 = 5 | years14 = 2018–2019 |clubs14 = [[FC Locomotive Tbilisi|Locomotive Tbilisi]] |caps14 = 9 |goals14 = 0 | years15 = 2021–2022 |clubs15 = [[NK Jarun Zagreb|Jarun Zagreb]] |caps15 = 3 |goals15 = 0 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = [[United States boys' national under-15 soccer team|United States U14]] | nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 = | nationalyears2 = | nationalteam2 = [[United States under-16 men's national soccer team|United States U16]] | nationalcaps2 = | nationalgoals2 = | nationalyears3 = 2005 | nationalteam3 = [[United States men's national under-20 soccer team|United States U20]] | nationalcaps3 = 1+ | nationalgoals3 = 10 | pcupdate = 20 March 2019 | ntupdate = 09:44, 27 December 2025 (UTC) }}
'''William Oluremi John''' (June 13, 1985) is an American former [[Association football|soccer]] player. He is also known as '''''Goluremi'''''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe9JOWHoSPS_r-EdiyNkrkg/about Will John]</ref>
==Early life== William John played high school soccer at [[Rockhurst High School]] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. He currently holds the Rockhurst single season scoring title with 36 goals and 20 assists.<ref>[http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4132624 Comets Sign Former Rockhurst Standout, Will John and Jamie Harding]</ref> He played club soccer for the Kansas City Attack.<ref>[http://www.kansascityunited.net/about/alumni/college/college.html Alumni – College]</ref> John played college soccer at [[Saint Louis University (United States)|Saint Louis University]], and in the [[USL Premier Development League]] for [[Kansas City Brass]].<ref>{{cite web |title=William John |url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/william-john/ |website=SoccerStats.us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=William John profile |url=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/william-john/25/79a/979 |website=LinkedIn}}</ref>
==Career==
===Club=== John was drafted by the [[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]] in the second round of the [[2005 MLS SuperDraft]] and led the team in scoring in the [[Lamar Hunt US Open Cup]]. After a season with the Fire, William was traded to the [[Kansas City Wizards]] for [[Diego Gutiérrez (soccer, born 1972)|Diego Gutierrez]].
In January 2008, John moved to [[Danish Superliga]] side [[Randers FC|Randers]], signing a 1-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Will John to Randers FC Official|url=http://www.downthebyline.com/2008/01/will-john-to-randers-fc-official.html|publisher=www.downthebyline.com|access-date=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=THREE PRACTICE PLAYERS ON CONTRACT IN RANDERS FC|url=http://www.randersfc.dk/index.php?side=2719|publisher=www.randersfc.dk|access-date=29 August 2013|archive-date=September 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923132750/http://www.randersfc.dk/index.php?side=2719|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 7 August 2008, Randers announced that William had agreed to personal terms and joined [[Serbian SuperLiga]] team [[FK Čukarički|Čukarički Stankom]].<ref>{{cite web|title=WILL JOHN FORLADER RANDERS FC|url=http://www.randersfc.dk/index.php?side=3048|publisher=www.randersfc.dk|access-date=29 August 2013|archive-date=September 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924015734/http://www.randersfc.dk/index.php?side=3048|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In February 2009 John signed a contract with [[MŠK Žilina]] after agreeing to personal terms with the club. However, his former club Čukarički withheld his registration papers and he was forced to leave the club. William subsequently joined [[NK Vinogradar]].
In February 2013 John signed for [[Azerbaijan Premier League]] side [[AZAL PFC|AZAL]] on a two-year contract. He became the first American to play and score in the Azerbaijan Premier League. William came on as a substitute for AZAL in their 3–0 victory against [[FC Kəpəz|Kəpəz]] on 24 February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=AZAL vs. Kapaz 3 – 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/02/23/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/olimpik-baki/fk-ganja/1338691/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=24 February 2013}}</ref> John scored his first goal for AZAL on 3 March 2013 in a home victory over [[Gabala FC|Gabala]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AZAL 6–1 Gabala|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/03/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/olimpik-baki/fk-qabala/1338699/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=3 March 2013}}</ref> William's consecutive goal scoring run was abruptly ended by a slight meniscus tear against [[Khazar Lankaran]]. The subsequent surgery saw William miss the remainder of the season.
The 2013–2014 season saw John establish himself as one of the most notable and skillful players in the [[Azerbaijan Premier League]]. He became the first player in the league's history to win 3 "Goal of the month awards" in the same season. With 8 goals and 5 assists he was AZAL's leading goal scorer. John is most commonly known in Azerbaijan as Con Oluremi.
After leaving AZAL, John signed for Moroccan [[Botola]] side [[MAS Fez]] in September 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=William Oluremi John Delighted With Move To MAS Fez|url=http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=13054|website=www.allnigeriasoccer.com|publisher=allnigeriasoccer|access-date=13 October 2014|date=22 September 2014}}</ref> However, in January 2015 William left MAS Fez citing unpaid wages,<ref>{{cite web|title=Oluremi John quits MAS Fez|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4110/nigerians-abroad/2015/01/06/7718382/oluremi-john-quits-mas-fez|website=www.goal.com/en-ng/|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=5 May 2015|date=6 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Oluremi John's Move To Shamrock Rovers Break Downs|url=http://www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/nigeria-players-abroad/oluremi-john-s-move-to-shamrock-rovers-hits-the-rocks/200464|website=www.sl10.ng/|publisher=sl10.ng|access-date=5 May 2015|date=8 February 2015}}</ref> with a proposed move to League of Ireland powerhouse [[Shamrock Rovers F.C.|Shamrock Rovers]] falling through in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oluremi John's move to Shamrock Rovers falls through|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2015/02/08/8738092/oluremi-johns-move-to-shamrock-rovers-falls-through|website=www.goal.com/en-ie|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=5 May 2015|date=8 February 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, John signed for [[Veikkausliiga]] side [[RoPS]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Will John eyes Veikkausliiga title with RoPS|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4110/nigerians-abroad/2015/08/07/14250062/will-john-eyes-veikkausliiga-title-with-rops?ICID=HP_BN_1|website=www.goal.com/en-ng/|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=5 September 2015|date=7 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Amerikkalaishyökkääjä RoPSin riveihin|url=http://www.rops.fi/edustusjoukkueen-uutiset|website=www.rops.fi/|publisher=[[RoPS]]|access-date=5 September 2015|language=fi|date=7 August 2015}}</ref> On September 14, 2015, William's two goals in a win against [[Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat|KTP]] propelled [[RoPS]] to top of the table for the first time in over 25 years. William was awarded Man of the Match for his performance. In March 2016, William signed a new contract with RoPS.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oluremi palaa RoPS-paitaan|url=http://www.rops.fi/edustusjoukkueen-uutiset/4233-oluremi-palaa-rops-paitaan|website=rops.fi|publisher=RoPS|access-date=27 March 2016|language=fi|date=23 March 2016}}</ref>
On 13 September 2018, [[FC Locomotive Tbilisi|Locomotive Tbilisi]] announced the signing of John on a contract until the end of the 2020 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=უილიამ ოლურემი ჯონი – ლოკომოტივის ამერიკელი ახალწვეული |url=http://fcloco.ge/ka/news/team-news/william-oluremi-john-american-recruit-of-locomotive |website=fcloco.ge/ |publisher=FC Locomotive Tbilisi |access-date=8 October 2018 |language=ka |date=13 September 2018}}</ref>
On September 23, 2021, NK Jarun announced the signing of John. He made his league debut in a match against NK Sesvete on December 4, 2021, a game in which Jarun won 4–3.<ref>{{cite web |title=NK Jarun - NK Sesvete |url=http://sofascore.com/nk-sesvete-nk-jarun/XKwsBvtc}}</ref>
===International=== John was part of the U-14, U-16 Youth National Teams as well as the U.S. Under-20 team at the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship]]. As of June 2009 William is eligible for selection by both the Nigerian and US National teams due to the new [[FIFA]] Regulations.
William John serves on the United States Soccer Federation's Athlete Council which is a group of twenty athletes who are elected by their peers. The purpose of the council as laid out in U.S. Soccer's bylaws is to provide a broader means of communication between Athletes and the Federation and make reports and recommendations to the Board of Directors about matters affecting Athletes.
In 2018 John was named U.S. Soccer Foundation Ambassador. The mission of the U.S. Soccer Foundation is to enhance, assist and grow the sport of soccer in the United States, with a special emphasis on underserved communities.
==Career statistics== {{updated|25 November 2018}}<ref>{{cite web|title=W.John|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/will-john/83589/|website=Soccerway|access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|[[NK Vinogradar|Vinogradar]] |[[2009–10 Druga HNL|2009–10]]<ref name="Croatia Stats">{{cite web|title=John Oluremi William|url=http://www.hnl-statistika.com/p1.asp?ID=2368|publisher=www.hnl-statistika.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120805001318/http://www.hnl-statistika.com/p1.asp?ID=2368|access-date=29 August 2013|archive-date = 2012-08-05}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|[[Druga HNL]] |12||1||||||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||1 |- |[[2010–11 Druga HNL|2010–11]]<ref name="Croatia Stats"/> |26||2||||||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||26||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !38!!3!!!!!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!38!!3 |- |rowspan="3"|[[AZAL PFK|AZAL]] |[[2012–13 AZAL PFC season|2012–13]] |rowspan="2"|[[Azerbaijan Premier League]] |6||4||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||6||4 |- |[[2013–14 AZAL PFC season|2013–14]] |35||8||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||8 |- !colspan="2"|Total !41!!12!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!42!!12 |- ||[[MAS Fez]] |[[2014–15 Botola|2014–15]] |[[Botola]] |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- |rowspan="3"|[[RoPS]] |[[2015 RoPS season|2015]] |rowspan="2"|[[Veikkausliiga]] |11||3||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||11||3 |- |[[2016 RoPS season|2016]] |27||2||2||1||0||0||4||0||33||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !38!!5!!2!!1!!0!!0!!4!!0!!44!!6 |- |[[FC Locomotive Tbilisi|Locomotive Tbilisi]] |[[2018 Erovnuli Liga|2018]] |[[Erovnuli Liga]] |9||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||9||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !129!!20!!3!!1!!0!!0!!4!!0!!136!!21 |}
==Media==
===YouTube=== In 2013, John started his own YouTube channel that now has over 900,000 subscribers worldwide and 101 million views. His 21-day challenge has now been viewed by over 12 million people and marked his initial surge into the platform. He speaks at least nine languages, including English, Swedish, Croatian, Italian, Danish, German, Spanish, French and Russian, which he showcases on his Goluremi Languages YouTube channel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How A Soccer Player Learned 9+ Languages w/ Will Oluremi John #41 by LingoCast |author= |work=Anchor |date= |access-date=15 December 2022 |url= https://anchor.fm/lingo-cast/episodes/How-A-Soccer-Player-Learned-9-Languages-w-Will-Oluremi-John-41-e1kgqj8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Goluremi Languages |work=YouTube |date=16 April 2022 |access-date=March 16, 2023 |title=Goluremi Languages |url= https://www.youtube.com/@goluremilanguages}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== {{commonscat|Will John (footballer born 1985)|Will John}} *{{Soccerway|will-john/83589}} *{{WorldFootball.net|will-john}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:John, Will}} [[Category:1985 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Soccer players from Overland Park, Kansas]] [[Category:Men's association football midfielders]] [[Category:United States men's youth international soccer players]] [[Category:United States men's under-20 international soccer players]] [[Category:American men's soccer players]] [[Category:American expatriate men's soccer players]] [[Category:Saint Louis Billikens men's soccer players]] [[Category:Kansas City Brass players]] [[Category:Chicago Fire FC players]] [[Category:Sporting Kansas City players]] [[Category:USL League Two players]] [[Category:Major League Soccer players]] [[Category:Randers FC players]] [[Category:Danish Superliga players]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark]] [[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Denmark]] [[Category:FK Čukarički players]] [[Category:Serbian SuperLiga players]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Serbia]] [[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Serbia]] [[Category:NK Vinogradar players]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Croatia]] [[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Croatia]] [[Category:F.C. Ashdod players]] [[Category:Israeli Premier League players]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Israel]] [[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Israel]] [[Category:Kansas City Comets (2010–) players]] [[Category:Major Indoor Soccer League (2008–2014) players]] [[Category:Chicago Fire FC draft picks]] [[Category:FC Locomotive Tbilisi players]] [[Category:Erovnuli Liga players]] [[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Georgia (country)]] [[Category:YouTubers from Kansas]]