Lloyd Sam

Early career

Sam was born in Leeds, but his family moved to London when he was two months old. Sam began his football career at Charlton Athletic but spent a portion of his childhood living in Senegal where he attended Dakar Academy. In 1998, Sam was asked to attend a trial at Italian side Empoli, with his older brother Andrew. However, neither was successful. When Sam's family returned to London in 1998, he was offered trials at both Wimbledon and Arsenal, but instead re-joined Charlton on Academy terms.

Charlton Athletic

Sam became a professional in 2003, at the age of 18. His first involvement in a Charlton squad came after the Charlton youth team beat Leeds United. His and Osei Sankofa's impressive form for the youth side resulted in a call up to the first team squad against Arsenal, but it was two years before he made his debut for Charlton against Crystal Palace on the final day of the 2004–05 season. Before this, he spent time on loan with Leyton Orient in the Third Division. He later had loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Southend United in the Championship. After Charlton were relegated from the Premier League following the 2007–08 season, Sam received an opportunity to break into Charlton's first team. He was assigned the number 18 shirt. He started the season well, scoring his first ever goals against Stockport County in the League cup and Coventry City but was sent off in October 2007 following a clash with Ian Ashbee of Hull City. Sam…