Tai Sodje

Taione Richard Evumena "Tai" Sodje (born 20 September 2003) is an English professional footballer currently playing as a forward for Manchester City.

Tai Sodje
Personal information
Full name Taione Richard Evumena Sodje[1]
Date of birth (2003-09-20) 20 September 2003
Place of birth Sheffield, England[1]
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Manchester City
Number 60
Youth career
Years Team
Sheffield United
2015– Manchester City

Club career

Born in Sheffield to an English mother and Nigerian father,[2] Sodje began his footballing career with local side Sheffield United, before a switch to Premier League side Manchester City in 2015.[3] He signed a professional contract with Manchester City in July 2021.[4] Despite suffering an injury in late October 2021, which he described as the worst moment of his career,[2] he returned to action for Manchester City's youth teams in April 2022.[5]

International career

Eligible to represent both England and Nigeria, Sodje reportedly turned down an invitation to the England under-19 squad in October 2021.[6] He was quoted in May 2022 as saying he would choose to represent whichever nation approached him first.[2][7]

Style of play

Described by Manchester City as a "prolific goal-scorer" and a "versatile striker [who] can also operate to impressive effect on both the right or left flanks", Sodje describes himself as a "goal scorer", capable of playing "across the front three".[8]

Personal life

Sodje is the son of former professional rugby league player Bright Sodje, and the nephew of former Nigerian international footballers Efe and Sam Sodje.[3][9]

Career statistics

Club
As of 18 February 2023[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City U21 2021–22 ———2[lower-alpha 1]020
2022–23 ———0000
Career total 0000002020
Notes
  1. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

References
  1. Tai Sodje at WorldFootball.net
  2. Aiyejina, Tana (20 May 2022). "I want to play for Man City's first team soon – Sodje". punchng.com. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  3. Bajkowski, Simon (23 March 2021). "'I think I've opened up to different ways of playing': Man City academy striker Tai Sodje is firing his way to goals target". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. Edwards, John (15 July 2021). "Academy contracts update". mancity.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  5. Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (26 October 2021). "Manchester City's teenage Nigerian striker faces months on the sidelines after". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. "Man City teen wonder Tai Sodje turns down England call up again, keen on Super Eagles". owngoalnigeria.com. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  7. Kazeem, Kolawole (20 May 2022). "I will play for Nigeria if they ask me before England – Tai Sodje". ojbsport.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  8. Leigh, Neil (11 October 2020). "Academy one to watch: Tai Sodje". mancity.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  9. "TAI SODJE Can He Continue the Family Dynasty with Eagles?". thisdaylive.com. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. Tai Sodje at Soccerway
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