Tudor Olorunninbe Mendel (born 15 January 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English side Ipswich Town.
Born in Berkshire, England, Mendel-Idowu was regarded as a child prodigy academically, featuring numerous times in national and international competitions, most notably coming second in the 2014 edition of Child Genius. Mendel-Idowu attended independent boys' preparatory boarding school Ludgrove School. At the age of thirteen, he was made a King's Scholar at Eton College.
He joined the youth academy of Chelsea at under-8 level, following interest from numerous other clubs including Arsenal and Tottenham. In July 2021, he signed a new contract with the Blues.
Following the conclusion of the 2022âÂÂ23 season, with his contract set to expire, Mendel-Idowu was offered a new deal by Chelsea. However, on 18 July 2023, it was reported by Spanish journalist Albert Rogé that Mendel-Idowu had rejected this offer, and was close to joining Spanish side Barcelona.
Despite these links, on 27 July 2023, he officially signed for Belgian side Anderlecht. Initially assigned to the club's reserve team, RSCA Futures, Mendel-Idowu scored on his debut in the Challenger Pro League in a 3âÂÂ2 win against Dender.
On 3 September 2024, Anderlecht confirmed that Mendal-Idowu had left the club to join Premier League side Ipswich Town on a permanent deal.
Eligible to represent both England and Nigeria at international level, Mendel-Idowu was first called up to the England national under-15 football team in 2019. Tudor scored his first England U17 goal against Scotland on 8 February in a 3âÂÂ0 win and followed that up with a further 2 goals in England U17's next game playing as a right winger. He later made substitute appearances against France and Luxembourg in the England U17 qualification games.
Mendel-Idowu's maternal grandfather is John Adeleye-Abai, who played for the Nigeria national football team as a winger. His paternal grandfather, Dr Fola Kayode Mendel-Idowu, was a gifted academic, who specialised in bio-aeronautics and was Africa's first 'flying doctor'.