Samuel Adeniran
{{short description|American soccer player}}
{{Overly detailed|date=July 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Samuel Adeniran
|image =
|fullname = Samuel Oluwabukunmi Adeniran{{cite web |url=https://mcusercontent.com/78d3589fb61466b549ff752e5/files/403430ce-158a-6c16-67fc-92028509200a/24_CCC_Final_Rosters.pdf |title=2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup – Club roster: St. Louis City SC (USA) |publisher=CONCACAF |page=24 |date=January 30, 2024 |access-date=January 30, 2024}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|9|30}}
|birth_place = Houston, Texas, United States
|height = 6ft 4in
|position = Forward
|currentclub = LASK
|clubnumber = 7
|youthyears1 = 2016–2017
|youthclubs1 = Belenenses
|years1 = 2018–2019
|clubs1 = Leganés B
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2018
|clubs2 = → Chacarita (loan)
|caps2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2018
|clubs3 = → Guadalajara (loan)
|caps3 = 14
|goals3 = 7
|years4 = 2019
|clubs4 = → Castellón (loan)
|caps4 = 0
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2019–2020
|clubs5 = Kickers Emden
|caps5 = 13
|goals5 = 6
|years6 = 2020–2021
|clubs6 = Atlas Delmenhorst
|caps6 = 7
|goals6 = 2
|years7 = 2021
|clubs7 = Tacoma Defiance
|caps7 = 30
|goals7 = 13
|years8 = 2021–2022
|clubs8 = Seattle Sounders FC
|caps8 = 3
|goals8 = 0
|years9 = 2022
|clubs9 = → Tacoma Defiance (loan)
|caps9 = 8
|goals9 = 2
|years10 = 2022
|clubs10 = → San Antonio FC (loan)
|caps10 = 23
|goals10 = 12
|years11 = 2023–2024
|clubs11 = St. Louis City SC
|caps11 = 35
|goals11 = 10
|years12 = 2023
|clubs12 = → San Antonio FC (loan)
|caps12 = 7
|goals12 = 4
|years13 = 2024
|clubs13 = Philadelphia Union
|caps13 = 7
|goals13 = 0
|years14 = 2025–
|clubs14 = LASK
|caps14 = 6
|goals14 = 0
|club-update = March 16, 2025
}}
Samuel Oluwabukunmi Adeniran (born September 30, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Austrian club LASK.
Youth career
=Early career=
Adeniran began his soccer career playing in Houston area youth clubs, including Houston Texans and Houston Express.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestriker.com/2021/07/22/samuel-adeniran-seattle-sounders-houston-texas|title=MLS, NWSL, USL, College, Youth and much more. | The Striker, soccer news|website=TheStriker.com}} He played two seasons of high school varsity soccer at Cypress Christian School in Houston, scoring 21 goals in 18 games as a freshman and 31 goals in 23 games as a sophomore.{{Cite web|url=https://www.maxpreps.com/tx/houston/cypress-christian-warriors/athletes/samuel-adeniran/soccer/stats/?careerid=q473jfgfj79dd|title=Samuel Adeniran's Cypress Christian High School Soccer Stats|website=www.maxpreps.com}}
=Liverpool FC Foundation College=
When he has 16, Adeniran moved to England to attend the Liverpool FC Foundation College (now called the Steven Gerrard Academy) designed to develop football talent and progress in education. With the college's U19 team, he returned to Texas in 2016 to play in the Dallas Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://legacy.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/215300-lfc-foundation-college-shines-at-dallas-cup|title=LFC Foundation College shines at Dallas Cup|date=April 8, 2016|website=Liverpool FC}}
=Belenenses=
After his time at Liverpool FC Foundation College, Adeniran went to Portugal, where his brother was playing at the time. He signed for Belenenses and joined its U19 team. Adeniran played 4 games for the U19 team, scoring his lone goal in a 3–1 loss to Benfica's U19 team on April 1, 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ogol.com.br/jogador/samuel-adeniran/555105?epoca_id=146|title=Samuel Adeniran :: 2016/2017 - Belenenses - Informações e Estatísticas do Jogador - ogol.com.br|website=www.ogol.com.br}}
Career
=CD Leganes=
Adeniran began his professional career by signing with CD Leganes Leganés B in Spain in January 2018. He would then go on a series of loans, never playing for the team before he departed it.
=Chacarita Juniors=
In January 2018, Adeniran's first loan, which began as a trial, was with Chacarita in Argentina Prima Division.{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/deportes-2/2018/01/14/samuel-adeniran-el-singular-refuerzo-que-arribo-a-chacarita/|title=Samuel Adeniran, el singular refuerzo que arribó a Chacarita|date=January 15, 2018|website=infobae}} During his preseason trial, he scored for both the first team and reserve team in friendlies.{{Cite web|url=https://aquichacarita.com/?p=173415|title=Chaca gano un amistoso | Aqui Chacarita|date=January 30, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://aquichacarita.com/?p=173271|title=La reserva finalizó su pretemporada,se sumó el moreno y convirtió | Aqui Chacarita|date=January 17, 2018}} The loan became official for the 2018 Clausura, in which he became the first United States player on the team, was part of an initial player exchange with CD Leganes, which saw Lautaro Ruiz go to the Spanish team. The exchange was initiated by a minority owner of Leganes who sought to build an informal partnership between the teams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rincondefutbol.com/no-existe-vinculo-entre-chacarita-y-leganes/|title=No existe vínculo entre Chacarita y Leganés – El Rincón del Fútbol|website=www.rincondefutbol.com}} Adeniran's stint was with the reserve team and he made no first team appearances. On April 20, 2018, the Chacarita Juniors Board of Directors ended the player exchange and both players returned to their respective teams.
=Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Spain)=
On July 1, 2018, after he returned to Spain, Adeniran was loaned to Guadalajara in the 4th tier of Spanish football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdguadalajara.es/comunicado-oficial-samuel-adeniran/|title=Comunicado oficial: Samuel Adenirán | Club Deportivo Guadalajara}} For the first time in his professional career, Samuel's brother, Ayodeji Adeniran, would later join him at the team yet not play in a game together. Samuel made his debut on August 26, 2018, in the team's 3–2 win over Azaqueca.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ffcm.es/pnfg/NPcd/NFG_CmpPartido?cod_primaria=1000120&CodActa=303183|title=Federación Fútbol Castilla la Mancha-Ficha Partido|website=www.ffcm.es}} He ultimately scored 7 goals in 13 games, with Leganes then ending his loan early so he could play in a higher division.
=CD Castellón=
On January 1, 2019, Adeniran was loaned to Castellón in the 3rd tier of Spanish football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.levante-emv.com/castello/2019/01/02/abierta-puerta-entrada-13895939.html|title=Abierta la puerta de entrada|first=n francisco roca|last=castelló|date=January 2, 2019|website=Levante-EMV}} He made no first team appearances and made just three gameday rosters as an unused reserve. Both Adeniran's loan with CD Castellon and his contract with Leganes expired on June 30, 2019, at which point Adeniran became a free agent.
=Kickers Emden=
On August 1, 2019, Adeniran signed with Kickers Emden in the OL Niedersachsen, German 5th tier of football, after he completed a successful trial.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fussballdaten.de/vereine/kickers-emden/2020/transfers/|title=Fussballdaten|website=Fussballdaten}} Once again, he would be joined by his brother, Ayodeji Anderian, at the team. Samuel scored in his debut on September 7, 2019, in a 2–0 win over HSC/BW Tudern. The brothers' first game together as gameday teammates was September 22, 2019, in a 2–2 tie against MTV Gifhorn. Samuel ultimately scored 6 goals in 13 games during the season.
=Atlas Delmenhorst=
On August 18, 2020, Adeniran signed with Atlas Delmenhorst of the German fourth-tier Regionalliga Nord.{{Cite web|url=https://www-svatlas-de.translate.goog/Artikel/30619/SV-Atlas-verpflichtet-Samuel-Adeniran?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc|title=SV Atlas verpflichtet Samuel Adeniran - SV Atlas Delmenhorst e.V.|website=www-svatlas-de.translate.goog}} He would score 2 goals in 7 games before games began to be cancelled in Germany due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In early January 2021 as the German leagues were cancelling games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Adeniran requested his contract with the club be terminated to allow him to play in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.weser-kurier.de/stadt-delmenhorst/sport/fussball-samuel-adeniran-verlaesst-den-sv-atlas-delmenhorst-vorerst-doc7fbpdw2d6uufi9kk425|title=Fußball: Samuel Adeniran verlässt den SV Atlas Delmenhorst vorerst - WESER-KURIER|first=Justus|last=Seebade|date=April 1, 2021|website=weser-kurier-de}}
=Tacoma Defiance=
On March 15, 2021, Adeniran signed with USL Championship side Tacoma Defiance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundersfc.com/news/tacoma-defiance-signs-four-players-ahead-2021-campaign|title=Tacoma Defiance signs four players ahead of 2021 campaign | Seattle Sounders|first=Seattle Sounders|last=FC|website=Seattle Sounders FC}} He made his debut for Tacoma on May 16, 2021, appearing as a 75th-minute substitute during a 1–0 win over Orange County SC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/tacomadefiance-orangecountysc-2199465|title=Tacoma Defiance vs. Orange County SC - May 16, 2021 | USLChampionship.com|website=www.uslchampionship.com}}
He was USL Championship Player of the Week in week 25 after scoring a second half hat trick in a 4–1 win against Orange County SC on October 9, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundersfc.com/news/tacoma-defiance-forward-sam-adeniran-named-usl-championship-player-of-the-week|title=Tacoma Defiance Forward Sam Adeniran Named USL Championship Player of the Week | Seattle Sounders|first=Seattle Sounders|last=FC|website=Seattle Sounders FC}}
In his 30 games, he scored 13 goals, which were tied for 12th most in the league.
While on Seattle's roster in 2022, Adeniran played 8 games for Tacoma, scoring 2 goals.
=Seattle Sounders=
During the 2021 MLS season, Adeniran was recalled several times from Tacoma by the Seattle Sounders FC when the team had roster hardships. He made his Seattle debut on July 18, 2021, in a 1–0 loss against Minnesota United FC.
On December 14, 2021, Adeniran made the permanent move to the Seattle Sounders FC first team roster.{{cite web| url = https://www.soundersfc.com/news/sounders-fc-signs-sam-adeniran-and-obed-vargas| title = Sounders FC signs Sam Adeniran and Obed Vargas {{!}} Seattle Sounders}}
Between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he played 6 games across all competitions before being loaned again in the pursuit of more playing time.
=San Antonio FC=
Based on his performances with Tacoma,{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1246214-how-samuel-adeniran-s-overseas-experience-shaped-his-san-antonio-impact|title=How Samuel Adeniran's overseas experience shaped his San Antonio impact|first=NICHOLAS MURRAY-|last=nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com|date=November 3, 2022|website=USL Championship}} he was loaned to USL Championship side San Antonio FC for the remainder of the season on June 9, 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sanantoniofc.com/news/2022/06/09/san-antonio-fc-adds-forward-samuel-adeniran-on-loan-from-seattle-sounders-fc/|title=SAN ANTONIO FC ADDS FORWARD SAMUEL ADENIRAN ON LOAN FROM SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC}}
On June 9, 2022, Seattle loaned Adeniran to San Antonio FC of USL Championship. He made his debut on June 11, 2022, in a 3–2 win over Monterey Bay FC. He finished the regular season with 10 goals in 20 games while scoring 2 goals in 3 playoff games. Adeniran scored the game-winning goal for San Antonio in its 3–1 win over Louisville City FC in the USL Championship title game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sanantoniofc.com/news/2022/11/13/san-antonio-fc-wins-usl-championship-final-for-first-time-in-club-history/|title=SAN ANTONIO FC WINS USL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL FOR FIRST TIME IN CLUB HISTORY}}
In 2023, he would be loaned to San Antonio FC a second time as he sought more playing time then he was getting at St. Louis City SC. In the short loan, he would score 4 goals in 7 games before being recalled to St. Louis City SC.
=St. Louis City SC=
On December 15, 2022, Adeniran was traded to St. Louis City SC in exchange for $100,000 of General Allocation Money.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/st-louis-city-acquire-samuel-adeniran-in-trade-with-seattle-sounders|title=St. Louis CITY acquire Samuel Adeniran in trade with Seattle Sounders | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}} He received minimal playing time in the early games of St. Louis City SC initial season in 2023, so he again sought a loan in search of more playing time. He was recalled hours ahead of the June 24 game against San Jose and was immediately placed in the starting line-up, scoring both goals in a 2–1 win over San Jose Earthquakes, which landed him on the MLS Team of Matchday 21.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstalert4.com/2023/06/25/post-match-recap-adeniran-makes-fairy-tale-return-much-needed-road-win/|title=Post-match Recap: Adeniran makes 'fairy tale' return in much needed road win|first=Lucas|last=Sellem|date=June 25, 2023|website=www.firstalert4.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-matchday-dc-united-st-louis-make-moves-in-matchday-21|title=Team of the Matchday: DC United, St. Louis make moves in Matchday 21 | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}} Adeniran continued to produce at an effective strike rate for the rest of the 2023 season. He scored eight goals in 18 games (950 minutes) for 0.76 goals/game, which was tied for 5th highest in MLS. His goal-scoring prowess saw multiple European clubs showing interest in Adeniran, including Rapid Vienna, Sparta Prague, Rosenborg BK and FC Ingolstadt 04.
As the 2024 season began, Adeniran started strong (two goals in first two games of the season). As the season continued, Adeniran's playing time dwindled as he began having challenges with Coach Bradley Carnell. Adeniran was held out of two games with the team, after Carnell was reportedly dissatisfied with his work rate, and trained on his own for a while.{{Cite web |date=2000-04-30 |title=Samuel Adeniran back in training with City SC. 'Got to kind of leave stuff in the past.' |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/professional/mls/city-sc/samuel-adeniran-back-in-training-with-city-sc-got-to-kind-of-leave-stuff-in/collection_019fe1d0-040d-11ef-99bb-bf0cdc3593ae.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}
In July 2024, after Carnell parted ways with the team, Adeniran was brought back into the first team gameday roster by interim manager, John Hackworth.
=Philadelphia Union=
On July 18, 2024, Adeniran was traded from St. Louis City SC to Philadelphia Union for $150,000 in General Allocation Money, plus $300,000 in additional add-ons.{{cite web |date=July 18, 2024 |title=St. Louis CITY SC Trades Forward Sam Adeniran to Philadelphia Union |url=https://www.stlcitysc.com/news/st-louis-city-sc-trades-forward-sam-adeniran-to-philadelphia-union |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=St. Louis CITY SC}}{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2024 |title=Philadelphia Union Acquire Forward Sam Adeniran |url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/philadelphia-union-acquire-forward-sam-adeniran |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=Philadelphia Union}} The Union had been tracking Adeniran since his German playing days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/behind-sam-adeniran-signing|title=Behind Samuel Adeniran's signing|first=Philadelphia|last=Union|website=Philadelphia Union}} On July 20, 2024, he made his Union debut in a 3–0 over Nashville SC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/box-score-philadelphia-union-3-nashville-sc-0|title=Box Score | Philadelphia Union 3, Nashville SC 0|first=Philadelphia|last=Union|website=Philadelphia Union}}
=LASK=
On December 2, 2024, Adeniran signed a 3.5-year contract with LASK in Austria, effective 1 January 2025.{{cite web|publisher=LASK|url=https://www.lask.at/en/m/news/lask-strengthens-squad-with-forward-from-mls|title=
LASK Strengthens Squad with Forward from MLS|date=December 2, 2024|access-date=January 10, 2025}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played March 16, 2025}}{{Soccerway|samuel-oluwabukunmi-adeniran/591083|accessdate=10 November 2022}}
| 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"|Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Leganés B
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Chacarita (loan)
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| Guadalajara (loan)
|14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 7 | |||
| Castellón (loan)
|2018–19 |Segunda División B |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Kickers Emden
|2019–20 |13 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in Lower Saxony Cup}} | 0 | 14 | 6 | |||
| Atlas Delmenhorst
|7 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 1 | ||||
| Tacoma Defiance
|2021 |30 | 13 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 13 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Seattle Sounders
|2021 |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022
|Major League Soccer |2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=CCC|Appearance in CONCACAF Champions Cup}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Tacoma Defiance (loan)
|2022 |8 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 2 | ||||
| San Antonio (loan)
|2022 |USL Championship |23 | 12 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 12 | |||
| rowspan="3"|St. Louis City
|2023 |Major League Soccer |18 | 8 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in Leagues Cup and MLS Cup playoffs}} | 0 | 22 | 8 | ||
| 2024
|Major League Soccer |17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=CCC}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!35||10||0||0||2||0||4||0||41||10 | ||||||||||
| San Antonio (loan)
|2023 |USL Championship |7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 4 | |||
| Philadelphia Union
|2024 |Major League Soccer |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|Appearances in Leagues Cup}} | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||
| LASK
|6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 1 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!152 | 55 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 169 | 56 |
{{notelist}}
Personal life
Born in the United States, Adeniran is of Nigerian descent.{{Cite web|url=https://soccernet.ng/2022/12/st-louis-city-signs-nigeria-eligible-samuel-adeniran-from-seattle-sounders.html|title=St. Louis city signs Nigeria-eligible Samuel Adeniran from Seattle Sounders - Soccernet NG|first=Ayomide|last=Oguntimehin|date=December 17, 2022}} He comes from a soccer-playing family. His father, Victor Adebesi Adeniran, who formerly known as Victor Ogunsanya, played for Nigeria in the 1998 Olympics as did his uncle, Andrew Uwe.{{Cite web|url=https://thefootballcastle.com/how-ex-international-is-impacting-the-future-of-african-football/|title=How ex-international is impacting the future of African football - Football Castle|date=February 21, 2020}} His father was also a member of the Brooklyn Italians, 1991 U.S. Open Cup champion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/footy-family-faith-sam-adeniran-s-quest-to-prove-myself-right|title=Footy, family & faith: Sam Adeniran's quest to "prove myself right" | MLSSoccer.com|website=mlssoccer}} His brother, Ayodeji Adeniran, played with Samuel on various teams throughout their careers.
Adeniran and his two brothers and sister are the owners of VAPS Dynasty Clothing, a multidimensional custom fashion label and lifestyle brand that specializes in bespoke African and contemporary formal attire.
Honors
St. Louis City SC
- Western Conference (regular season): 2023{{cite web|date=September 30, 2023|title=St. Louis CITY dominate Sporting KC to set another MLS record |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/st-louis-city-dominate-sporting-kansas-city-to-set-another-mls-record|access-date=December 5, 2024|publisher=Major League Soccer}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{MLS player|samuel-adeniran}}
{{LASK squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adeniran, Samuel}}
Category:Soccer players from Houston
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players in Germany
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Austria
Category:African-American soccer players
Category:American sportspeople of Nigerian descent
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Atlas Delmenhorst players
Category:CD Castellón footballers
Category:CD Guadalajara (Spain) footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Austria
Category:Kickers Emden players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:San Antonio FC players
Category:Seattle Sounders FC players
Category:St. Louis City SC players
Category:Tacoma Defiance players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent