Onome Sodje

Onome Sodje
Born	(1988-07-17) July 17, 1988 Warri, Delta State, Nigeria
Occupation	Professional footballer
Years active	2004–2016
Known for	Playing as a striker for clubs in England, Slovakia, Malta, Vietnam, Algeria, and Albania

Onome Sympson Sodje (born 17 July 1988) is a Nigerian professional footballer who operates as a striker. Throughout his career, he has competed for clubs in England, Slovakia, Malta, Vietnam, Algeria, and Albania.

Career

Originating from Warri, Delta State, Sodje developed his skills within the Charlton Athletic youth academy, where he netted 14 goals in 19 matches during the 2003–04 U17 FA Premier Academy League season. During the latter part of the 2004–05 campaign, he was loaned to Welling United, followed by two loan periods at Gravesend & Northfleet in 2005 and 2006.

After being released by Charlton in 2006, Sodje secured a permanent deal with Gravesend & Northfleet in August of that year.

On 18 June 2007, he transferred on a free to York City, where he finished the 2007–08 season as joint leading scorer with 17 goals. In September 2008, Sodje earned the first-ever Conference Premier Goal of the Month award. He featured as a substitute in the FA Trophy Final held at Wembley on 9 May 2009; however, York were defeated 2–0 by Stevenage Borough. His performance declined during the 2008–09 season, concluding with seven goals across 46 appearances.

Sodje moved to Barnsley in the Championship on 15 June 2009 on a free transfer, facilitated by his non-contract status at York amid an immigration residency dispute in the UK. York City contributed £5,000 towards legal expenses supporting his case, which received endorsements from notable figures such as the Archbishop of York and MP Hugh Bayley. After resolving his residency status, Sodje opted to join Barnsley instead of renewing with York.

He made his debut as a substitute during a 2–0 loss to Coventry City on 15 August. On 23 November, Sodje was loaned to Conference Premier leaders Oxford United on an emergency basis and scored his first goal for them in a 1–1 draw against Salisbury City. Oxford announced in January 2010 that his loan spell would not be extended.

In January 2010, Sodje signed with Slovak Superliga outfit FK Senica, marking his debut with a goal in a 2–1 win over MFK Ružomberok. He ended that season with one goal from 13 appearances and featured only once in the subsequent campaign.

Subsequently, he played for Vietnamese First Division side Đồng Nai before moving to Maltese Premier League club Floriana in December 2011, where he scored on his first appearance.

In July 2012, Sodje agreed to a three-year contract with Algerian team CR Belouizdad, scoring once in 13 matches prior to his release at the conclusion of the season.

He then joined Albanian Superliga club Partizani Tirana, scoring on his debut in September 2013.

By October 2014, Sodje returned to England signing for Nuneaton Town. He later represented Billericay Town during the 2015–16 season, tallying seven goals.

Personal life

At the age of 14, he relocated to England where he enrolled at Sedgehill School located in south-east London. Football talent runs in Sodje's family, with his uncles—Sam, Efe, Akpo, and Steve—all having competed professionally in English football. Additionally, another uncle, Bright, pursued a career as a professional rugby league athlete.

Career statistics

Club	Season	LeagueTemplate:Ref label		FA Cup		League Cup		OtherTemplate:Ref label		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Welling United (loan)	2004–05	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1
Gravesend & Northfleet (loan)	2005–06	8	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	9	2
		6	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1
Gravesend & Northfleet	2006–07	39	9	1	0	0	0	2	0	42	9
Total	53	12	2	0	0	0	2	0	57	12
York City	2007–08	45	14	2	2	0	0	8	1	55	17
	2008–09	36	7	2	0	0	0	8	0	46	7
	Total	81	21	4	2	0	0	16	1	101	24
Barnsley	2009–10	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Oxford United (loan)	2009–10	4	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	5	1
FK Senica	2009–10	13	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	1
	2010–11	1	0	0	0	0	0	0			1	0
Total	14	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	1
Career total		159	36	6	2	0	0	19	1	184	39

A.  Includes appearances and goals (substitute appearances counted) in the Football League, Football Conference, and the Slovak Superliga.

B.  Includes appearances and goals (including substitute appearances) in the Conference League Cup and FA Trophy.