The Rumour Mill: Sam Sodje

I’ll be updating this blog with a number of ‘Rumour Mill’ posts, looking at the latest players linked with a move to Ashton Gate this summer. Of course, the rumours may turn out to be asbsolute rubbish, but I think it will be a nice little feature. I will only comment on rumours posted in newspapers/reputable outlets, as transfer rumour websites have a reputation of completely fabricating stories. With that in mind, here’s the first Rumour Mill article on journeyman defender Sam Sodje.

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Today, The Mirror’s Football Spy column reported that defender Sam Sodje will be moving to Bristol City on a free this summer.

The defender was born on May 25 1979, making him 30 years old.

He is currently registered on the books of fellow Coca Cola Championship side Reading, but was sent out on loan at Watford and Leeds in the season which has just ended. Sodje only played 1 game for Watford, against Sheffield United in September 2008, but returned to his parent club after aggravating a knee injury.

Sam Sodje against Manchester United in one of his few appearances for Reading

He fared a little better at Elland Road, managing 7 games.

He has been at Reading since 2006, but has only ever made 4 first team appearances for the royals. He spent a season on loan at Charlton in 2007-8, managing 2 goals, while has also spent time at West Bromwich Albion.

Sodje celebrating in a match on-loan at Charlton

Before that, he spent two years at Brentford and 2 years at Margate.

He started his career at Stevenage Borough, and is also a Nigerian international.

Sodje’s career has been rather unsettled since leaving Brentford for Reading, perhaps he will sign with Bristol City with a view to finally settling down again. But, at 30, he is another veteran Gary Johnson already has Izzy Iriekpen, who is somewhat similar to Sodje and has not played much himself since arriving on a free in January. Johnson’s other recent experience with veteran signings has not been great. Adebola has been inconsistent, and is widely expected to leave Ashton Gate during the Transfer Window, while the loan signing of Stern John was an unmitigated failure.