Sam Sodje

Early years

Sodje was born in Greenwich, London and joined Margate at the beginning of the 2002–03 season and scored on his debut with a header. He 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.

Brentford

At the beginning of the 2004–05 season, he moved from Margate to League One 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.

Reading

It was revealed Sodje had turned down a move to Southampton 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…

Although born in England, Sodje's family originate from Nigeria so was eligible to represent both England and Nigeria national football team, he chose to represent Nigeria the same as his older brother Efe. In November 2005, Sodje made his debut for Nigeria in a 3–0 friendly defeat to Romania in Bucharest, playing the full 90 minutes. After some impressive performances for Leeds United Sodje was recalled to the Nigerian squad for friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and France at the end of the 08/09 season. He started both games and played the full 90 minutes each. Sodje made his competitive debut for Nigeria in June 2009, starting in a 3–0 CAF third round 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Kenya in June 2009.

Born in Greenwich, 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 also 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 nephew Onome Sodje, also played professionally in England. Sodje is also related to current Leyton Orient midfielder Harrison Sodje. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sodje worked as a football pundit, analyzing group stage matches and publicly commenting on African teams' tactical performances, including Cape Verde's defensive display against Spain and Tunisia's mid-tournament coaching change.

PFA Team of the Year: 2005–06 Football League One Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year: 2004–05