Austin Samuels
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Austin Samuels
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|fullname =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|11|20|df=y}}
|birth_place =
|height =
|position = Forward
|currentclub = Rushall Olympic
|clubnumber =
|youthyears1 = 2009–2019
|youthclubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
|years1 = 2019–2022
|clubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2020
|clubs2 = → Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
|caps2 = 6
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2020–2021
|clubs3 = → Bradford City (loan)
|caps3 = 12
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2021–2022
|clubs4 = → Aberdeen (loan)
|caps4 = 7
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2022–2024
|clubs5 = Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|caps5 = 37
|goals5 = 4
|years6 = 2024–2025
|clubs6 = Greenock Morton
|caps6 = 5
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2025–
|clubs7 = Rushall Olympic
|caps7 = 9
|goals7 = 3
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 = England youth
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|club-update = 16:19, 5 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Austin Samuels (born 20 November 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for {{English football updater|RushallO}} club Rushall Olympic.
Samuels began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, spending time on loan at Kidderminster Harriers, Bradford City and Aberdeen. After leaving Wolves, he played for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Greenock Morton.
Club career
Samuels began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers, joining them at the age of 8.{{Cite web|url=https://harriers.co.uk/teams/first-team/austin-samuels/|title=Austin Samuels|website=Official Website of the Harriers – Kidderminster Harriers FC}} He made his first-team debut at the age of 16 in July 2017 in a friendly match against Peterborough United, scoring the only goal of the game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2017/07/25/austin-samuels-twitter-reacts-to-wolves-youngsters-stunning-first-team-debut/|title=Austin Samuels: Twitter reacts to Wolves youngster's stunning first-team debut|first=Luke|last=Hatfield|date=25 July 2017|website=www.expressandstar.com}}
He moved on loan to Kidderminster Harriers in January 2020,{{Cite web|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/18159836.kidderminster-harriers-sign-wolves-striker-austin-samuels/|title=Wolves prospect arrives at Harriers on loan|website=Worcester News}} and on loan to Bradford City in October 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20201010-samuels-heads-to-the-efl/|title=Samuels heads to the EFL|website=www.wolves.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18785019.wolves-striker-samuels-joins-bradford-city-loan/|title=Wolves striker Samuels joins Bradford City on loan|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54492867|title=Bradford add Wolves' Samuels on loan|work=BBC Sport}} In November 2020 he was one of a number of young Bradford City players playing in the first team who were praised by manager Stuart McCall.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18841563.bradford-city-boss-backs-boys-taking-first-team-chance/|title=McCall insists age is irrelevant as young guns look to help City turn a corner|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} He scored his first goal for the club, and his first professional goal, when he scored in a 7–0 FA Cup win over Tonbridge Angels on 7 November 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54839929|title=Tonbridge 0–7 Bradford City|publisher=BBC|date=7 November 2020 |accessdate=8 November 2020}} Later that month Samuels said that he was growing in confidence as he played more first-team matches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18891994.samuels-growing-confidence-bradford-city-find-tough/|title=Tough time for Bantams but loanee Samuels aiming to thrive on the pressure|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} His loan ended early on 13 January 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/samuels-returns-to-wolves/|title=SAMUELS RETURNS TO WOLVES|website=www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19006851.striker-samuels-back-wolves-bradford-city-end-loan/|title=Bradford City send striker Samuels back to Wolves|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/austin-samuels-returns-wolves-bradford-city-squad-realignment-continues-3094283|title=Austin Samuels returns to Wolves as Bradford City squad realignment continues|website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk}}
In August 2021 he moved on loan to Scottish club Aberdeen for the season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58311274|title=Aberdeen sign Wolves' Samuels on loan|work=BBC Sport}} The loan ended early, in January 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/3822831/austin-samuels-returns-to-wolves-after-loan-cut-short-with-aberdeen/|title=Austin Samuels returns to Wolves after loan cut short with Aberdeen|first=Paul|last=Third}}
He signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in January 2022,{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/caley-thistle-sign-striker-from-wolverhampton-wanderers-on-a-264407/|title = Caley Thistle sign striker from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a permanent deal|date = 28 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/3895437/confirmed-caley-thistle-sign-wolves-and-ex-aberdeen-striker-austin-samuels-on-permanent-deal/|title=Confirmed - Caley Thistle sign Wolves and ex-Aberdeen striker Austin Samuels on permanent deal|first=Paul|last=Chalk}} later suffering an injury which saw him out-of-action for over 5 months, returning in February 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/5413591/austin-samuels-glad-to-quash-rumours-by-making-caley-thistle-comeback-against-hamilton-accies/|title=Austin Samuels glad to quash rumours by making Caley Thistle comeback against Hamilton Accies|first=Sophie|last=Goodwin|date=20 February 2023}} He signed a new contract in June 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/5861878/forward-austin-samuels-nets-new-deal-at-caley-thistle/|title=Forward Austin Samuels nets new deal at Caley Thistle|first=Paul|last=Chalk|date=19 June 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/samuels-signs-contract-extension-with-ict-317627/|title=Samuels signs contract extension with ICT|date=19 June 2023|website=Inverness Courier}} At the start of the 2023–24 season, he said the club needed to maintain form in order to be promoted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/striker-says-caley-thistle-cant-allow-form-to-get-stuck-in-320865/|title=Striker says Caley Thistle can't allow form to get stuck in middle again|date=21 July 2023|website=Inverness Courier}} He left the club following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/forward-confirms-he-has-left-inverness-caledonian-thistle-354110/|title=Forward confirms he has left Inverness Caledonian Thistle|date=26 June 2024|website=The Inverness Courier}}
In October 2024, he signed a short-term contract with Greenock Morton.{{Cite web|url=https://gmfc.net/austin-samuels-joins-on-a-short-term-deal/|title=Austin Samuels joins on a short-term deal - Greenock Morton FC|date=11 October 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/24647681.morton-sign-ex-inverness-caley-thistle-star-austin-samuels/|title=Morton announce last-minute signing of ex-Caley Thistle star on short-term deal|date=11 October 2024|via=www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk}} After making his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over Hamilton Academical in the SPFL Trust Trophy, Samuels said he was emotional to return to playing football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/24648073.morton-austin-samuels-emotional-moment-ended-exile/|title=Morton striker Austin Samuels' emotional moment that ended year long exile|date=12 October 2024|via=www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk}} He departed the club upon the expiry of his short-term contract in January 2025. {{cite web|url=https://gmfc.net/austin-samuels-departs/|title=Austin Samuels Departs|website=gmfc.net|date=6 January 2025|accessdate=21 February 2025}}
On 20 February 2025, Samuels joined National League North club Rushall Olympic. {{cite web|url=https://www.rofc.co.uk/news/breaking-pics-add-power-and-pace-with-samuels-signing?id=446568|title=BREAKING: PICS ADD POWER AND PACE WITH SAMUELS SIGNING|website=www.rofc.co.uk|date=20 February 2025|accessdate=21 February 2025}}
International career
Playing style
Samuels is known for his pace.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/austin-samuels-will-provide-pace-and-movement-bradford-city-2999294|title=Austin Samuels will provide pace and movement for Bradford City|website=www.yorkshirepost.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/speed-merchant-austin-samuels-is-looking-for-the-finishing-touch-f5px2qqjb|title=Speed merchant Austin Samuels is looking for the finishing touch|first=Mark|last=Palmer|date=31 December 2023|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}} When he joined Inverness he was utilised more as a winger than a centre forward.{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/forward-happy-on-learning-how-to-wing-it-with-caley-thistle-268571/|title=Forward happy on learning how to wing it with Caley Thistle|date=10 March 2022|website=Inverness Courier}}
Career statistics
{{updated|5 May 2025}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=4|Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s
|colspan="2"|2018–19 EFL Trophy{{soccerbase season|115846|2018|accessdate=5 May 2021}} |colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{Efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|2019–20 EFL Trophy{{soccerbase season|115846|2019|accessdate=5 May 2021}}
|colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3{{Efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|2020–21 EFL Trophy{{soccerbase season|115846|2020|accessdate=5 May 2021}}
|colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{Efn|name=EFLT}} | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| colspan=2|Total
!colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 2 | 6 | 2 | ||||
| rowspan=4|Wolverhampton Wanderers
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020–21
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|115846|2021|accessdate=24 August 2021}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
|2019–20{{soccerway|austin-samuels/453871|accessdate=19 December 2020}} |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Bradford City (loan)
|12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
| Aberdeen (loan)
|7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| rowspan="4"|Inverness Caledonian Thistle
|13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=PO|Appearances in the play-offs.}} | 2 | 19 | 3 | |
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|115846|2022|accessdate=10 March 2023}}
|Scottish Championship |17 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 4 | |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|115846|2023|accessdate=8 October 2023}}
|Scottish Championship |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=PO}} | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 56 | 7 | |
| Greenock Morton
|2024–25{{soccerbase season|115846|2024|accessdate=12 October 2024}} |Scottish Championship |5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in the Scottish League Challenge Cup}}{{efn|The game on 11 October 2024 does not appear on Soccerbase, but Samuels did play.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cvgd8me222rt#Line-ups|title=Watch Hamilton Academical vs Greenock Morton: Challenge Cup|website=BBC Sport}}}} | 1 | 8 | 1 | |
| Rushall Olympic
|National League North |9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!76 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 106 | 14 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuels, Austin}}
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Aberdeen F.C. players
Category:Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. players
Category:Greenock Morton F.C. players
Category:Rushall Olympic F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players