Sadik Balarabe

{{Infobox football biography

| fullname = Sadik Olaniyi Salisu Balarabe{{cite web|url=http://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageId=30&kisiId=2032688|title=Sadik Balarabe profile at TFF|publisher=Turkish Football Federation|accessdate=1 February 2019}}

| image = Balarabe in action for Birmingham Legion.jpg

| caption = Balarabe in action for Birmingham Legion

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|6|26|df=y}}

| birth_place = London, England

| height = 1.80m

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Forward

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Reading

| collegeyears1 = 2011–2012

| collegecaps1 = 29

| collegegoals1 = 30

| college1 = Jackson Jets

| collegeyears2 = 2013–2014

| collegecaps2 = 17

| collegegoals2 = 5

| college2 = Saginaw Valley State Cardinals

| years1 = 2013

| caps1 = 5

| goals1 = 1

| clubs1 = Chicago Inferno

| years2 = 2014

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| clubs2 = AO Levante

| years3 = 2015

| caps3 = 13

| goals3 = 1

| clubs3 = Iraklis Psachna

| years4 = 2015–2016

| caps4 = 20

| goals4 = 4

| clubs4 = Niki Volou

| years5 = 2016–2017

| caps5 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| clubs5 = Gil Vicente

| years6 = 2017–2018

| caps6 = 22

| goals6 = 13

| clubs6 = Torbalispor

| years7 = 2018

| caps7 = 7

| goals7 = 2

| clubs7 = Salihli Belediyespor

| years8 = 2019

| caps8 = 15

| goals8 = 4

| clubs8 = Mağusa Türk Gücü

| years9 = 2019–2020

| caps9 = 20

| goals9 = 11

| clubs9 = Urraca

| years10 = 2020

| caps10 = 5

| goals10 = 3

| clubs10 = Ibiza Islas Pitiusas

| years11 = 2020

| caps11 = 3

| goals11 = 2

| clubs11 = Hemel Hempstead Town

| years12 = 2020

| caps12 = 3

| goals12 = 0

| clubs12 = Dulwich Hamlet

| years13 = 2021

| caps13 = 4

| goals13 = 0

| clubs13 = Cray Wanderers

| years14 = 2021–2022

| caps14 = 25

| goals14 = 7

| clubs14 = Mağusa Türk Gücü

| years15 = 2022

| clubs15 = Birmingham Legion

| caps15 = 12

| goals15 = 2

| years16 = 2023

| clubs16 = Welling United

| caps16 = 3

| goals16 = 0

| years17 = 2023

| clubs17 = Erith & Belvedere

| caps17 = 0

| goals17 = 0

| years18 = 2023–2024

| clubs18 = VCD Athletic

| caps18 = 11

| goals18 =

| club-update =14:55, 4 December 2024 (UTC)

}}

Sadik Olaniyi Balarabe (born 26 June 1992) is an English footballer who plays as a forward.

Career

In 2011, Balarabe headed to America to study at Jackson College, scoring 11 goals in 12 games in his first season {{cite web|url=https://www.njcaa.org/sports/msoc/2011-12/div1/teams/JacksonCollege/players/SadikBalarabe.html|title=2011-12 NJCAA Stats|publisher=NJCAA|accessdate=24 July 2020}} and a further 19 goals in his second year.{{cite web|url=https://www.njcaa.org/sports/msoc/2012-13/div1/teams/jacksoncommunitycollege?view=gamelog|title=Jackson Community College gamelog 2012|publisher=NJCAA|accessdate=27 July 2020}} He spent two years studying at Jackson College{{cite web|url=http://www.svsucardinals.com/sports/msoc/2013-14/releases/20130430bmrcs9|title=Cardinals Announce 2013 Men's Soccer Recruiting Class|publisher=Saginaw Valley State University|date=30 April 2013|accessdate=31 January 2019}} before finishing his studies with Saginaw Valley State University, who he scored six goals in 17 games for in the 2013 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.svsucardinals.com/sports/msoc/2013-14/players/sadikbalarabebr0x?view=profile|title=Sadik Balarabe #8 F Saginaw Valley|publisher=Saginaw Valley State University|accessdate=31 January 2019}} He also played in the USL Premier Development League for Chicago Inferno, making five appearances.{{cite web|url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/sadik-balarabe/|title=Sadik Balarabe profile at Soccer Stats|website=soccerstats.us|accessdate=31 January 2019}}

In the summer of 2014, Balarabe arrived in Greece to join AO Levante before moving up divisions to join Greek Football League side Iraklis Psachna.[https://englishplayersabroad.com/2019/02/01/sadik-balarabe-its-been-quite-an-adventure-so-far/ Sadik Balarabe: It's been quite an adventure so far…] englishplayersabroad.com in January 2015. He made his professional debut on 26 January, coming on as a 65th minute substitute in a 0–0 draw with Kallithea.{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2015/01/26/greece/football-league/gs-kallithea/iraklis-psachna-fc/1936867/|title=KALLITHEA VS. IRAKLIS PSACHNA 0 - 0|website=uk.soccerway.com|date=26 January 2015|accessdate=31 January 2019}}

Ahead of the following season, Balarabe joined Gamma Ethniki side Niki Volou in July 2015.{{cite web|url=https://e-thessalia.gr/pektis-tis-nikis-o-santik-mpalarampe/|title=Παίκτης της Νίκης ο Σαντίκ Μπαλαράμπε|website=e-thessalia.gr|date=11 July 2015|accessdate=24 July 2020}}

He then joined Portuguese LigaPro side Gil Vicente on a two-year deal in September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://africanfootball.com/news/645427/Gil-Vicente-new-boy-Balarabe-targets-Nigeria-call-up|title=GIL VICENTE NEW BOY BALARABE TARGETS NIGERIA CALL-UP|website=africanfootball.com|date=7 September 2016|accessdate=31 January 2019}}

In January 2019, he joined KTFF Süper Lig side Mağusa Türk Gücü after spells in Turkey with Torbalispor and Salihli Belediyespor.{{cite web|url=https://www.havadiskibris.com/mtg-turnayi-gozunden-vurdu/|title=MTG turnayı gözünden vurdu|website=havadiskibris.com|date=8 January 2019|accessdate=31 January 2019}} Balarabe finished the season with 16 goals in 22 games as he helped lead his side to the league and cup double.{{cite web|url=http://www.ktff.org/InfoBank/PlayerDetails/18564|title=Sadik Balarabe Informations|website=ktff.org|accessdate=29 May 2019}}

On 10 August 2019, Balarabe joined Tercera División side Urraca.{{cite web|url=http://www.arenasporkolik.com/futbol/balarabe-ispanyaya-uctu-h29578.html|title=Balarabe İspanya'ya Uçtu..!|website=arenasporkolik.com|date=10 August 2019|accessdate=10 September 2019|language=Turkish}} After half a season with Urraca, he joined fellow Tercera División side Ibiza Islas Pitiusas until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.cd-ibiza.com/post/sadik-balarabe-refuerza-la-delantera-roja|title=Sadik Balarabe refuerza la delantera roja|publisher=CD Ibiza Islas Pitiusas|date=27 January 2020|accessdate=29 January 2020|language=Spanish|archive-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129084928/https://www.cd-ibiza.com/post/sadik-balarabe-refuerza-la-delantera-roja|url-status=dead}}

In October 2020, Balarabe returned to England to join National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town.{{cite tweet|user=hemelfc

|number=1314630621944258561|title=WELCOME We're delighted to welcome @SadikBalarabe to the club Memo|date=9 October 2020|accessdate=12 October 2020}} He scored on his debut after coming on as a substitute in a 4–1 loss to Eastbourne Borough.{{cite web|url=https://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/sport/football/hemel-suffer-home-defeat-2999584|title=Hemel suffer home defeat|website=hemeltoday.co.uk|date=11 October 2020|accessdate=12 October 2020}} The following month, he joined division rivals Dulwich Hamlet, making his debut in a 3–1 defeat against Havant & Waterlooville.{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2020/11/11/england/conference-n--s/havant-and-waterlooville-fc/dulwich-hamlet-fc/3371196/|title=HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE VS. DULWICH HAMLET 3 - 1|website=uk.soccerway.com|date=11 November 2020|accessdate=24 November 2020}}

In May 2021, Balarabe joined Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers.{{cite web|url=https://www.cray-wanderers.com/sadik-balarabe-welcome-to-the-wands/|title=Sadik Balarabe - Welcome to the Wands|publisher=Cray Wanderers F.C.|date=24 May 2021|accessdate=27 May 2021}}

In September 2021, Balarabe returned to Northern Cyprus to rejoin Mağusa Türk Gücü.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/mturkgucu/videos/925775244702825/|title=Sadık Balarabe dün akşam geç saatlerde adamıza gelmiş olup bu sezon takımımıza katkı koyacağına inandığımız Sadık'ğa hoşgeldin diyoruz|website=facebook.com|date=19 September 2021|accessdate=23 September 2021|language=Turkish}}

In July 2022, Balarabe returned to America for the first time since completing college to join USL Championship side Birmingham Legion.{{cite web|url=https://www.bhmlegion.com/news/2022/07/15/legion-fc-signs-forward-sadik-balarabe/|title=Legion FC Signs Forward Sadik Balarabe|publisher=Birmingham Legion FC|date=15 July 2022|accessdate=18 July 2022}} Balarabe scored on his debut coming off the bench against Atlanta United 2. Following the 2022 season, Balarabe was released by Birmingham.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bhmlegion.com/news/2022/12/08/legion-fc-announces-year-end-roster-updates-2/|title=Legion FC Announces Year-End Roster Updates}}

In March 2023, Balarabe joined National League South side Welling United on a deal until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wellingunited.com/wings-sign-forward-sadik-balarabe-on-deal-until-end-of-season/|title=WINGS SIGN FORWARD SADIK BALARABE ON DEAL UNTIL END OF SEASON|publisher=Welling United F.C.|date=14 March 2023|accessdate=15 March 2023}} Later that day, he scored on his debut against Ebbsfleet United in the Kent Senior Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.wellingunited.com/kent-senior-cup-report-ebbsfleet-united-2-welling-united-3/|title=KENT SENIOR CUP REPORT EBBSFLEET UNITED 2 WELLING UNITED 3|publisher=Welling United F.C.|date=14 March 2023|accessdate=15 March 2023}}

In February 2023, he joined Ykkönen side FF Jaro on trial, playing one match in the cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.ffjaro.fi/jarvenlahti-klar-for-inkommande-sasong-tva-testspelare-inkommande-vecka/|title=Järvenlahti klar för inkommande säsong – två testspelare inkommande vecka|publisher=FF Jaro|date=13 February 2023|accessdate=4 December 2024|language=Finnish}}

In September 2023, Balarabe joined Isthmian League side Erith & Belvedere.{{cite tweet|user=EBTheDeres|number=1698323915821416534|title=Deres sign Sadik Balarabe..|date=3 September 2023|accessdate=7 September 2023}} He made five appearances for the club all in the cup, scoring two goals.{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/erith-and-belvedere/appearances/2023-2024/sadik-balarabe/955208|title=Erith & Belvedere – Appearances – Sadik Balarabe – 2023-2024|website=footballwebpages.co.uk|accessdate=4 December 2024}} He later went on to play for Southern Counties East Football League side VCD Athletic.{{cite tweet|user=vcd_club|title=Full time result 2-0 to VCD|date=30 December 2023|accessdate=4 December 2024|number=1741145795225682000}}

Personal life

Balarabe attended Stationers' Crown Woods Academy in Eltham whilst growing up.

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Chicago Inferno \|2013	PDL \|5	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	5	1
Iraklis Psachna \|2014–15 \|Football League \|13	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	13	1
Niki Volou \|2015–16{{cite web\|url=https://playeragent.gr/players/sadik-balarabe/\|title=Sadik Balarabe Player Agent\|website=playeragent.gr\|accessdate=24 July 2020\|archive-date=24 July 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724141249/https://playeragent.gr/players/sadik-balarabe/\|url-status=dead}} \|Gamma Ethniki \|20	4	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	20	4
Torbalispor \|2017–18{{cite web\|url=https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageId=30&kisiId=2032688\|title=Futbolcu Bilgileri TFF\|publisher=Turkish Football Federation\|accessdate=24 July 2020\|language=Turkish}} \|Bölgesel Amatör Ligi \|22	13	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	22	13
Salihli Belediyespor \|2018–19 \|Bölgesel Amatör Ligi \|7	2	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	7	2
Mağusa Türk Gücü \|2018–19{{cite web\|url=http://www.ktff.org/InfoBank/PlayerDetails/18564\|title=SADIK BALARABE informations\|publisher=Cyprus Turkish Football Association\|accessdate=24 July 2020\|language=Turkish}} \|KTFF Süper Lig \|15	4	7	12	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	22	16
Urraca \|2019–20 \|Tercera División \|20	11	1Appearances in Copa del Rey	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	21	11
Ibiza Islas Pitiusas \|2019–20 \|Tercera División \|5	3	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	1Appearances in Tercera División play-offs	0	6	3
Hemel Hempstead Town \|rowspan='2'\|2020–21 \|rowspan='2'\|National League South \|3	2	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	4	2
Dulwich Hamlet \|3	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	3	0
Cray Wanderers \|2021–22{{cite web\|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/cray-wanderers/appearances/sadik-balarabe/926124\|title=Cray Wanderers – Appearances – Sadik Balarabe\|website=footballwebpages.co.uk\|accessdate=6 January 2022}} \|Isthmian League Premier Division \|4	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	4	0
Mağusa Türk Gücü \|2021–22 \|KTFF Süper Lig \|25	7	7	6	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	32	13
colspan="3"\|Career total !142	48	17	18	0	0	1	0	160	66

Honours

Mağusa Türk Gücü

KTFF Süper Lig: 2018–2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.havadiskibris.com/mtg-sampiyon-2/|title=MTG ŞAMPİYON|website=havadiskibris.com|date=12 May 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|language=Turkish}} 2021–22
Cypriot Cup: 2019,{{cite web|url=http://www.ktff.org/InfoBank/MatchDetails?macno=14102|title=MAĞUSA TÜRK GÜCÜ - YENİCAMİ AK match details|website=ktff.org|date=18 May 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019}} 2022

Individual

Cypriot Cup Golden Boot: 2019,{{cite web|url=http://www.sporyeni.com/futbolda-basariliar-odullerini-alacek-9753h.htm|title=Futbolda başarılılar ödüllerini alacakKaynak: Futbolda başarılılar ödüllerini alacak|website=sporyeni.com|date=2 July 2019|accessdate=11 July 2019|language=Turkish}} 2022{{cite web|url=https://halkinsesikibris.com/haber/amp/176199|title=Nicosia Gruop Kıbrıs Kupası Finalinden Notlar|website=halkinsesikibris.com|date=14 May 2022|accessdate=16 May 2022|language=Turkish}}