Sadik Balarabe
English association football player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sadik Olaniyi Balarabe (born 26 June 1992) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Aslanköy GSD on loan from Mağusa Türk Gücü.
|
Balarabe in action for Birmingham Legion | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sadik Olaniyi Salisu Balarabe[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 26 June 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | London, England | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Aslanköy GSD (on loan from Mağusa Türk Gücü) | ||
| 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 Volos | 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) |
| 2023 | Welling United | 3 | (0) |
| 2023 | Erith & Belvedere | 0 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | VCD Athletic | 11 | (0) |
| 2025 | Mağusa Türk Gücü | 14 | (0) |
| 2025– | → Aslanköy GSD (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:55, 4 December 2024 (UTC) | |||
Career
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 Volos 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. Following the 2022 season, Balarabe was released by Birmingham.[21]
In March 2023, Balarabe joined National League South side Welling United on a deal until the end of the season.[22] Later that day, he scored on his debut against Ebbsfleet United in the Kent Senior Cup.[23]
In February 2023, he joined Ykkönen side FF Jaro on trial, playing one match in the cup.[24]
In September 2023, Balarabe joined Isthmian League side Erith & Belvedere.[25] He made five appearances for the club all in the cup, scoring two goals.[26] He later went on to play for Southern Counties East Football League side VCD Athletic.[27] He later spent time playing in Sunday league football for Under The Radar alongside YouTubers TBJZL and Manny.[28]
After a spell back at Mağusa Türk Gücü, Balarabe joined fellow Northern Cyprus side Aslanköy GSD on loan in July 2025.[29]
Personal life
Balarabe attended Stationers' Crown Woods Academy in Eltham whilst growing up.[4]
Career statistics
- As of 16 May 2022[30]
| 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 Volos | 2015–16[31] | Gamma Ethniki | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | |
| Torbalispor | 2017–18[32] | 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[33] | KTFF Süper Lig | 15 | 4 | 7 | 12 | — | 0 | 0 | 22 | 16 | |
| Urraca | 2019–20 | Tercera División | 20 | 11 | 1[a] | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 21 | 11 | |
| Ibiza Islas Pitiusas | 2019–20 | Tercera División | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[b] | 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[34] | Isthmian League Premier Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Mağusa Türk Gücü | 2021–22[33] | KTFF Süper Lig | 25 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | 0 | 0 | 32 | 13 | |
| Career total | 142 | 48 | 17 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 160 | 66 | ||
- Appearances in Copa del Rey
- Appearances in Tercera División play-offs
Honours
Mağusa Türk Gücü
- KTFF Süper Lig: 2018–2019,[35] 2021–22
- Cypriot Cup: 2019,[36] 2022
Individual
- Cypriot Cup Golden Boot: 2019,[37] 2022[38]