# Samson Tijani

Samson Okikiola Tijani (born 17 May 2002) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg. He also represents the Nigeria national team.

## Club career
### Red Bull Salzburg

Tijani began his career with Collins Edwin Sports Club before signing with Austrian Bundesliga side Red Bull Salzburg on 17 July 2020.
In the 2021–22 winter break, Tijani was promoted to Red Bull Salzburg's main squad. On 6 February 2022, Tijani made his professional debut for the club in the Cup match against LASK. He came in in the 89th minute for Nicolas Capaldo in a 3–1 win.
In the match played with Austria Wien on July 22, 2022, fractures occurred in his tibia and lower muscle, and he had to leave the game.

#### Loan to TSV Hartberg

A month later, on 14 August, Tijani was loaned out to TSV Hartberg for the season. He made his competitive debut for the club on 30 August against Dornbirner SV in the Austrian Cup. He started and played the full match as Hartberg won 7–0. On 12 September 2020, Tijani made his professional debut for the club in the league against Rheindorf Altach. He started and played 71 minutes in a 1–1 draw. He had a successful performance in the 18 games he played there, but did not contribute any goals or assists.

#### Loan to FC Liefering

On 1 July 2021 Tijani was loaned out to FC Liefering on a season long loan.

#### Loan to Wolfsberger AC

On 23 August 2023, Tijani joined Wolfsberger AC on a season-long loan deal.

#### Loan to Fredrikstad

On 3 September 2024, he joined Norwegian Eliteserien club Fredrikstad, on loan until the end of the year.

## International career

Tijani was part of the Nigeria side to compete in the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, Where they came 4th and qualified for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. During his team's opening match against Hungary, Tijani scored a brace as Nigeria U17 won 4–2. Tijani made his debut with the senior Nigeria national team in a friendly 1-0 loss to Algeria on 9 October 2020.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 28 September 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2020–21 | Austrian Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2021–22 | Austrian Bundesliga | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2022–23 | Austrian Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | 2024–25 | Austrian Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red Bull Salzburg | Total | Total | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| TSV Hartberg (loan) | 2020–21 | Austrian Bundesliga | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 0 |
| FC Liefering (loan) | 2021–22 | 2. Liga | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 |
| Wolfsberger AC (loan) | 2023–24 | Austrian Bundesliga | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 1 |
| Fredrikstad (loan) | 2024 | Eliteserien | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 63 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 1 |
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

### International

    As of match played 9 October 2020
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Nigeria | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 1 | 0 |

## Honours

* Austrian Bundesliga: 2021-22
* Austrian Cup: 2021-22
Fredrikstad
* Norwegian Cup: 2024