Tai Sodje

Last updated
Tai Sodje
Personal information
Full name Taione Richard Evumena Sodje [1]
Date of birth (2003-09-20) 20 September 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Sheffield, England [1]
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) [1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Buxton
Number 20
Youth career
Sheffield United
2015–2025 Manchester City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2025– Buxton 6 (4)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:39, 31 August 2025 (UTC)

Taione Richard Evumena Sodje (born 20 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League North club Buxton.

Contents

Club career

Born in Sheffield to an English mother and Nigerian father, [2] Sodje began his footballing career with local side Sheffield United, before a switch to Premier League side Manchester City in 2015. [3] He signed a professional contract with Manchester City in July 2021. [4] Despite suffering an injury in late October 2021, which he described as the worst moment of his career, [2] he returned to action for Manchester City's youth teams in April 2022. [5]

On 11 June 2025, Sodje was released by Manchester City. [6]

On 7 August 2025, Sodje signed for National League North club Buxton, [7] making his debut on the opening day of the season against Radcliffe. [8]

International career

Eligible to represent both England and Nigeria, Sodje reportedly turned down an invitation to the England under-19 squad in October 2021. [9] He was quoted in May 2022 as saying he would choose to represent whichever nation approached him first. [2] [10]

Style of play

Described by Manchester City as a "prolific goal-scorer" and a "versatile striker [who] can also operate to impressive effect on both the right or left flanks", Sodje describes himself as a "goal scorer", capable of playing "across the front three". [11]

Personal life

Sodje is the son of former professional rugby league player Bright Sodje, and the nephew of former Nigerian international footballers Efe and Sam Sodje, as well as former professional footballer Akpo Sodje. [3] [12]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 August 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup EFL Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City U21 2021–22 [13] ———2 [a] 020
2024–25 [14] ———1 [a] 010
Buxton 2025–26 [15] National League North 6400—0064
Career total6400003094
  1. 1 2 Appearances in the EFL Trophy

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tai Sodje at WorldFootball.net
  2. 1 2 3 Aiyejina, Tana (20 May 2022). "I want to play for Man City's first team soon – Sodje". punchng.com. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  3. 1 2 Bajkowski, Simon (23 March 2021). "'I think I've opened up to different ways of playing': Man City academy striker Tai Sodje is firing his way to goals target". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Edwards, John (15 July 2021). "Academy contracts update". mancity.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  5. ↑ Emmanuel, Ifeanyi (26 October 2021). "Manchester City's teenage Nigerian striker faces months on the sidelines after". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. ↑ "Premier League clubs publish 2024/25 released lists". Premier League . Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "Bucks 'Tai' Up New Striker". Buxton F.C. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  8. ↑ Tomlinson, Tony (12 August 2025). "Buxton open the new season with a win over Radcliffe". Buxton Advertiser . Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Man City teen wonder Tai Sodje turns down England call up again, keen on Super Eagles". owngoalnigeria.com. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. ↑ Kazeem, Kolawole (20 May 2022). "I will play for Nigeria if they ask me before England – Tai Sodje". ojbsport.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  11. ↑ Leigh, Neil (11 October 2020). "Academy one to watch: Tai Sodje". mancity.com. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "TAI SODJE Can He Continue the Family Dynasty with Eagles?". thisdaylive.com. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "Games played by Tai Sodje in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  14. ↑ "Games played by Tai Sodje in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  15. ↑ "Games played by Tai Sodje in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
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