Sam Sodje
Encyclopedia
Samuel Okeremute Sodje is an English-born Nigeria
n footballer who plays as a defender
for Notts County
. Sodje also represents Nigeria
at international level.
, London
and joined Margate
at the beginning of the 2002–03 season and scored on his debut with a header. He quickly established himself as a huge favourite with the supporters and won the Supporters' Player of the Year award at the end of his first season with Margate.
In the summer of 2003, he went on trial at Yeovil Town
and Chester City
, but neither team signed him. He returned to Margate to play Conference
football for the 2003–04 season and impressed once again.
side Brentford
on a free transfer. He became popular with the Brentford fans through a combination of his goal-scoring, and his crazy hairstyles. At the end of that season he won a local newspaper award for player of the season, and at the end of the 2005–06 season he was honoured with a place in the PFA League One team of the year.
on 31 January 2006, the final day of the transfer window. Much transfer speculation followed until it was announced on 12 July 2006 that Sodje would join Reading, subject to a medical; the transfer was completed on 14 July 2006.
Sodje made his Reading début away to Wigan Athletic
on 26 August 2006 because of a suspension to Ibrahima Sonko
, and scored his first Reading goal against Burnley in the FA Cup on 9 January 2007. However, his first team opportunities in the 2006–07 proved to be limited, so on 16 March 2007 he signed a month's loan deal with West Bromwich Albion
, which was subsequently extended to the end of the 2006–07 season. Whilst there, he helped The Baggies to a place in the Championship
Playoff Final, which they lost 1–0 to Derby County
. He scored once for West Brom, in a 2-1 win over Norwich City on 9 April 2007.
In the summer 2007 transfer window
, Sheffield Wednesday
agreed a fee with Reading for Sodje, with Sodje given the opportunity to think over the move. However, Sodje eventually joined Charlton Athletic
on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08 season. He made his Charlton début in the club's 2–0 victory over Norwich City
as a late substitute on 18 September 2007. His performance in Charlton's 3–1 home win over Ipswich Town
on 8 December 2007 earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.
In September 2008, Sodje joined fellow Championship side Watford
on a month's loan as cover for the team's injuries. He played in one game away at Sheffield United
before returning to Reading after aggravating a knee injury.
on loan for a month with an option to extend the loan until the end of the 2008–09
season, after impressing in his first month the loan was extended until the end of the season.
Sodje partnered Richard Naylor
at centre back and formed a strong partnership with him during his loan spell, even though Sodje only played 8 times during his loan spell with Leeds including the playoff semi finals against Millwall he quickly became a cult hero, with many Leeds fans demanding he be signed on a permanent basis. Instead Leeds signed Patrick Kisnorbo
and Sodje had to look elsewhere.
, joined him at the club on loan from Sheffield Wednesday
. Sodje was part of the Charlton side which reached the League 1 playoffs, they were knocked out of the playoffs after losing on penalties to Swindon Town. Sodje missed the two semi finals after suffering an injury. In total Sodje scored four goals for Charlton during the 2009-10 season.
. However Sodje was released from his contract only a month after joining Xanthi.
On 18 August, Sodje joined Portsmouth
on trial. After finishing his trial at Portsmouth, Milton Keynes Dons
were linked with a move for the player. Then on 14 October, Sodje joined Sheffield Wednesday
on trial, his brother Akpo Sodje
used to play for the Owls. After picking up niggling injuries whilst on trial at Sheffield Wednesday, the Owl's decided not to sign Sodje.
's first signing at Notts County
, joining them on a free transfer. He made his County début on 6 November in an FA Cup 1st round match against Gateshead
.
and Nigeria national football team
, he chose to represent Nigeria the same as his older brother Efe
.
He made his international début for the Nigeria
in 2005 in an international friendly against Romania
. After some impressive performances for Leeds United Sodje was recalled to the Nigerian squad for an international friendly
against the Republic of Ireland
in 2009. Sodje started the game for Nigeria, and put in a very impressive performance before being substituted. He has so far made seven appearances for the Nigeria national football team
.
, London
, his family originate from Warri, in Delta State
, Nigeria
. Sodje has four brothers who also play football; three of them professionally and one semi-professionally. Akpo
, Efe
, the eldest of the four, who has represented Nigeria
at international level. Steve, the third brother has never played a Football League
game. Another brother, Bright
, used to play rugby league
and rugby union
. His cousin Onome Sodje
, also played professionally in England.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n footballer who plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. Sodje also represents Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
at international level.
Early years
Sodje was born in GreenwichGreenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and joined Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
at the beginning of the 2002–03 season and scored on his debut with a header. He quickly established himself as a huge favourite with the supporters and won the Supporters' Player of the Year award at the end of his first season with Margate.
In the summer of 2003, he went on trial at Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
and Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, but neither team signed him. He returned to Margate to play Conference
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
football for the 2003–04 season and impressed once again.
Brentford
At the beginning of the 2004–05 season, he moved from Margate to League OneFootball League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on a free transfer. He became popular with the Brentford fans through a combination of his goal-scoring, and his crazy hairstyles. At the end of that season he won a local newspaper award for player of the season, and at the end of the 2005–06 season he was honoured with a place in the PFA League One team of the year.
Reading
It was revealed Sodje had turned down a move to SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 31 January 2006, the final day of the transfer window. Much transfer speculation followed until it was announced on 12 July 2006 that Sodje would join Reading, subject to a medical; the transfer was completed on 14 July 2006.
Sodje made his Reading début away to Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 26 August 2006 because of a suspension to Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko is a Senegalese international professional footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.-Reading:...
, and scored his first Reading goal against Burnley in the FA Cup on 9 January 2007. However, his first team opportunities in the 2006–07 proved to be limited, so on 16 March 2007 he signed a month's loan deal with West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, which was subsequently extended to the end of the 2006–07 season. Whilst there, he helped The Baggies to a place in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
Playoff Final, which they lost 1–0 to Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He scored once for West Brom, in a 2-1 win over Norwich City on 9 April 2007.
In the summer 2007 transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
, Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
agreed a fee with Reading for Sodje, with Sodje given the opportunity to think over the move. However, Sodje eventually joined Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08 season. He made his Charlton début in the club's 2–0 victory over Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
as a late substitute on 18 September 2007. His performance in Charlton's 3–1 home win over Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
on 8 December 2007 earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.
In September 2008, Sodje joined fellow Championship side Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on a month's loan as cover for the team's injuries. He played in one game away at Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
before returning to Reading after aggravating a knee injury.
Leeds United loan
On 26 March 2009, Sodje joined Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on loan for a month with an option to extend the loan until the end of the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season, after impressing in his first month the loan was extended until the end of the season.
Sodje partnered Richard Naylor
Richard Naylor
Richard Alan Naylor is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Doncaster Rovers after leaving Leeds United where he had been Captain...
at centre back and formed a strong partnership with him during his loan spell, even though Sodje only played 8 times during his loan spell with Leeds including the playoff semi finals against Millwall he quickly became a cult hero, with many Leeds fans demanding he be signed on a permanent basis. Instead Leeds signed Patrick Kisnorbo
Patrick Kisnorbo
Patrick Fabio Maxime Kisnorbo is an Australian football player of Mauritian and Italian heritage who plays for Leeds United in The Championship of the English Football League. Kisnorbo is also an Australian international with 18 caps to his name. Also known by his nickname Paddy...
and Sodje had to look elsewhere.
Second spell at Charlton Athletic
On 28 May 2009, Reading told Sodje that he was free to leave the club. Sodje returned on a free transfer to the club he was on loan with two-seasons prior, Charlton Athletic. Sodje made his full début in the 0–0 game at his former club Leeds United. The club being local to his birthplace of Greenwich, he stated that the club was 'in my blood'. On 14 November, Sodje's brother AkpoAkpo Sodje
Idoro Akpoeyere Ujoma "Akpo" Sodje is an English footballer of Nigerian heritage, currently playing for Scottish club Hibernian...
, joined him at the club on loan from Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. Sodje was part of the Charlton side which reached the League 1 playoffs, they were knocked out of the playoffs after losing on penalties to Swindon Town. Sodje missed the two semi finals after suffering an injury. In total Sodje scored four goals for Charlton during the 2009-10 season.
Skoda Xanthi
In July 2010, Sodje joined Greek club Skoda Xanthi, the club also signed George BoatengGeorge Boateng
George Boateng is a Dutch footballer who plays as a midfielder for Nottingham Forest in The Championship.-Club career:...
. However Sodje was released from his contract only a month after joining Xanthi.
On 18 August, Sodje joined Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on trial. After finishing his trial at Portsmouth, Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
were linked with a move for the player. Then on 14 October, Sodje joined Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
on trial, his brother Akpo Sodje
Akpo Sodje
Idoro Akpoeyere Ujoma "Akpo" Sodje is an English footballer of Nigerian heritage, currently playing for Scottish club Hibernian...
used to play for the Owls. After picking up niggling injuries whilst on trial at Sheffield Wednesday, the Owl's decided not to sign Sodje.
Notts County
On 29 October 2010, Sodje became new manager Paul IncePaul Ince
Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince is an English football manager and a former professional player. He has managed Blackburn Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons and Macclesfield Town...
's first signing at Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, joining them on a free transfer. He made his County début on 6 November in an FA Cup 1st round match against Gateshead
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
.
International career
Although born in England Sodje's family originate form Nigeria so was eligible to represent both EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and Nigeria national football team
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
, he chose to represent Nigeria the same as his older brother Efe
Efe Sodje
Efetobore "Efe" Sodje is a footballer who is currently playing for Bury. He is a central defender...
.
He made his international début for the Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
in 2005 in an international friendly against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
. After some impressive performances for Leeds United Sodje was recalled to the Nigerian squad for an international friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
in 2009. Sodje started the game for Nigeria, and put in a very impressive performance before being substituted. He has so far made seven appearances for the Nigeria national football team
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
.
Personal life
Born in GreenwichGreenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, his family originate from Warri, in Delta State
Delta State
Delta State may refer to:*Delta State, a state in southern Nigeria.*Delta State , a Canadian animated television series.*Delta State University, a public university located in the U.S. state of Mississippi....
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. Sodje has four brothers who also play football; three of them professionally and one semi-professionally. Akpo
Akpo Sodje
Idoro Akpoeyere Ujoma "Akpo" Sodje is an English footballer of Nigerian heritage, currently playing for Scottish club Hibernian...
, Efe
Efe Sodje
Efetobore "Efe" Sodje is a footballer who is currently playing for Bury. He is a central defender...
, the eldest of the four, who has represented Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
at international level. Steve, the third brother has never played a Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
game. Another brother, Bright
Bright Sodje
Bright Ojamohare Sodje is a 6'5 retired dual-code rugby player, who played for rugby league clubs Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Hull Kingston Rovers and Sheffield Eagles in England as well as rugby union for Wakefield RFC....
, used to play rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
and rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. His cousin Onome Sodje
Onome Sodje
Onome Sympson Sodje is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Vietnamese First Division club Đồng Nai as a striker.-Career:Born in Warri, Delta State, Sodje came through the Charlton Athletic Academy. He scored 14 goals in 19 games in the 2003–04 U17 FA Premier Academy League. He spent time on loan...
, also played professionally in England.
Margate
- Kent Senior CupKent Senior CupThe Kent Senior Cup is an English football competition played between senior clubs in the county of Kent. It is administered by the Kent County Football Association.-History:...
: 2002-20032002-03 in English footballThe 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
, 2003-20042003-04 in English footballThe 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
External links
- Sam Sodje profile at the Reading website