Sadik Olaniyi Balarabe (born 26 June 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Birmingham Legion.
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Balarabe in action for Birmingham Legion | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sadik Olaniyi Salisu Balarabe[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1992-06-26) 26 June 1992 (age 30) | ||
| Place of birth | London, England | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Birmingham Legion | ||
| Number | 29 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Reading | |||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2012 | Jackson Jets | 29 | (30) |
| 2013–2014 | Saginaw Valley State Cardinals | 17 | (5) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013 | Chicago Inferno | 5 | (1) |
| 2014 | AO Levante | ||
| 2015 | Iraklis Psachna | 13 | (1) |
| 2015–2016 | Niki Volou | 20 | (4) |
| 2016–2017 | Gil Vicente | 0 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Torbalispor | 22 | (13) |
| 2018 | Salihli Belediyespor | 7 | (2) |
| 2019 | Mağusa Türk Gücü | 15 | (4) |
| 2019–2020 | Urraca | 20 | (11) |
| 2020 | Ibiza Islas Pitiusas | 5 | (3) |
| 2020 | Hemel Hempstead Town | 3 | (2) |
| 2020 | Dulwich Hamlet | 3 | (0) |
| 2021 | Cray Wanderers | 4 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Mağusa Türk Gücü | 25 | (7) |
| 2022– | Birmingham Legion | 12 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:12, 17 October 2022 (UTC) | |||
In 2011, Balarabe headed to America to study at Jackson College, scoring 11 goals in 12 games in his first season [2] and a further 19 goals in his second year.[3] He spent two years studying at Jackson College[4] before finishing his studies with Saginaw Valley State University, who he scored six goals in 17 games for in the 2013 season.[5] He also played in the USL Premier Development League for Chicago Inferno, making five appearances.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8]
Ahead of the following season, Balarabe joined Gamma Ethniki side Niki Volou in July 2015.[9]
He then joined Portuguese LigaPro side Gil Vicente on a two-year-deal in September 2016.[10]
In January 2019, he joined KTFF Süper Lig side Mağusa Türk Gücü after spells in Turkey with Torbalispor and Salihli Belediyespor.[11] Balarabe finished the season with 16 goals in 22 games as he helped lead his side to the league and cup double.[12]
On 10 August 2019, Balarabe joined Tercera División side Urraca.[13] After half a season with Urraca, he joined fellow Tercera División side Ibiza Islas Pitiusas until the end of the season.[14]
In October 2020, Balarabe returned to England to join National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town.[15] He scored on his debut after coming on as a substitute in a 4–1 loss to Eastbourne Borough.[16] The following month, he joined division rivals Dulwich Hamlet, making his debut in a 3–1 defeat against Havant & Waterlooville.[17]
In May 2021, Balarabe joined Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers.[18]
In September 2021, Balarabe returned to Northern Cyprus to rejoin Mağusa Türk Gücü.[19]
In July 2022, Balarabe returned to America for the first time since completing college to join USL Championship side Birmingham Legion.[20] Balarabe scored on his debut coming off the bench against Atlanta United 2
Balarabe attended Stationers' Crown Woods Academy in Eltham whilst growing up.[4]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Chicago Inferno | 2013 | PDL | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | |
| Iraklis Psachna | 2014–15 | Football League | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| Niki Volou | 2015–16[22] | Gamma Ethniki | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | |
| Torbalispor | 2017–18[23] | Bölgesel Amatör Ligi | 22 | 13 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 22 | 13 | |
| Salihli Belediyespor | 2018–19 | Bölgesel Amatör Ligi | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | |
| Mağusa Türk Gücü | 2018–19[24] | KTFF Süper Lig | 15 | 4 | 7 | 12 | — | 0 | 0 | 22 | 16 | |
| Urraca | 2019–20 | Tercera División | 20 | 11 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 21 | 11 | |
| Ibiza Islas Pitiusas | 2019–20 | Tercera División | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 6 | 3 | |
| Hemel Hempstead Town | 2020–21 | National League South | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
| Dulwich Hamlet | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
| Cray Wanderers | 2021–22[25] | Isthmian League Premier Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Mağusa Türk Gücü | 2021–22[24] | KTFF Süper Lig | 25 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | 0 | 0 | 32 | 13 | |
| Career total | 142 | 48 | 17 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 160 | 66 | ||
Mağusa Türk Gücü
Individual
Birmingham Legion FC – current squad | |
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