Umar Sadiq Mesbah (born in Kaduna on 2 February 1997) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serbian club Partizan, on loan from Italian club Roma.
Umar Sadiq
Umar Sadiq Mesbah (born in Kaduna on 2 February 1997) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serbian club Partizan, on loan from Italian club Roma.
Sadiq also represents the Nigeria national under-23 team and was an important member of the squad that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Early years :
Born in Kaduna, Sadiq started playing football on the streets of his hometown at an early age. He later played for local team Kusa Boys, before joining the Future of Africa Football Academy and finally the Football College Abuja. In June 2013, Sadiq traveled with FCA to Croatia and participated at the Kvarnerska Rivijera youth tournament. He finished as the competition's top scorer and helped his team become the champions.
International Career:
In July 2016, Sadiq was named in Nigeria's final 18-man squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics. He appeared in all six of his team's games and scored four goals in the process, including a brace in the third-place victory over Honduras.
Loan to Roma:
In July 2015, Sadiq joined Roma on a one-year loan. He was transferred alongside his teammate and compatriot Nura Abdullahi for €250,000 each with a buyout clause of €1,250 million per player. Having bagged eight goals in his first three Primavera matches for Roma, Sadiq made his Serie A debut on 21 November, replacing Juan Iturbe after 88 minutes in a 2–2 away draw against Bologna. He scored his first goal on 20 December, netting only seven minutes after coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Mohamed Salah, helping his team to a 2–0 home win over Genoa. On 6 January 2016, Sadiq bagged his second goal in his first start for Roma, opening the scoring in the 7th minute of an eventual 3–3 away draw against Chievo. He finished the season with two goals in six Serie A appearances.
Roma:
On 21 June 2016, it was announced that Roma exercised the option and signed Sadiq, as well as Nura, permanently until 30 June 2020. He traveled with the first team to the United States for the 2017 International Champions Cup, scoring in his only appearance against Paris Saint-Germain, as Roma lost after penalties.
In July 2016, Sadiq was named in Nigeria's final 18-man squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics. He appeared in all six of his team's games and scored four goals in the process, including a brace in the third-place victory over Honduras.
Almería:
On 5 October 2020, Sadiq joined Spanish Segunda División side UD Almería on a five-year contract.
After a two successful seasons at Partizan and a move to the rising Almería, Sadiq received a call to the Nigerian national team called up for the 2022 African Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin and Lesotho on 27 and 30 March 2021 respectively.
Umar Sadiq is valued at €60 million by his club, UD Almeria.
He had 28 goals and 9 assists in 2020/2021 season.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United were interested in signing him.
Ronaldo de Lima was interested in signing him for his club, Real Valladolid in January 2021.
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