View source for Sam Oji

{{Short description|English footballer (1985–2021)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sam Oji
| image = Oji, Sam.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Oji in 2012
| fullname = Samuel Udoka Oji<ref name="Hugman2009-10"/>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1985|10|9|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2009-10"/>
| birth_place = [[Westminster]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|8|28|1985|10|9|df=y}}<ref name=HUdeath/>
| death_place =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://extratime.ie/player/11117086/sam_oji/ |title=Sam Oji – Limerick FC |publisher=Extratime.ie |accessdate=7 June 2014}}</ref>
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| youthyears1 = 2000–2004 | youthclubs1 = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| years1  = 2004–2008 | clubs1  = [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]            | caps1  = 0  | goals1  = 0
| years2  = 2005–2006 | clubs2  = → [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] (loan) | caps2  = 4  | goals2  = 0
| years3  = 2007      | clubs3  = → [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] (loan)     | caps3  = 5  | goals3  = 0
| years4  = 2007      | clubs4  = → [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] (loan)       | caps4  = 2  | goals4  = 0
| years5  = 2008      | clubs5  = [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]]                | caps5  = 11 | goals5  = 0
| years6  = 2008–2009 | clubs6  = [[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]]            | caps6  = 4  | goals6  = 0
| years7  = 2009      | clubs7  = [[Ljungskile SK]]                                   | caps7  = 5  | goals7  = 0
| years8  = 2011–2013 | clubs8  = [[Tamworth F.C.|Tamworth]]                          | caps8  = 39 | goals8  = 2
| years9  = 2013–2014 | clubs9  = [[Limerick F.C.|Limerick]]                          | caps9  = 34 | goals9  = 0
| years10 = 2015–2016 | clubs10 = [[Galway United F.C.|Galway United]]                | caps10 = 23 | goals10 = 2
| years11 = 2016–2017 | clubs11 = [[Worcester City F.C.|Worcester City]]              | caps11 = 25 | goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2017–2018 | clubs12 = [[Hednesford Town F.C.|Hednesford Town]]            | caps12 = 38 | goals12 = 2
| years13 = 2018–2021 | clubs13 = [[Highgate United F.C.|Highgate United]]            | caps13 =    | goals13 =
| manageryears1 = 2021 | managerclubs1 = Highgate United (assistant)
}}
'''Samuel Udoka Oji''' (9 October 1985 – 28 August 2021) was an English professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[centre-back]].
Oji played in [[the Football League]] for [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]], [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] and [[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]], and in the Swedish [[Superettan]] for [[Ljungskile SK]], before knee injuries kept him out of football for two years. He resumed his career with [[Tamworth F.C.|Tamworth]] of the [[Conference Premier]]. He then played in the [[League of Ireland]] for [[Limerick F.C.|Limerick]] and [[Galway United F.C.|Galway United]] and in [[non-league football]] for [[Worcester City F.C.|Worcester City]] and [[Hednesford Town F.C.|Hednesford Town]]. Oji joined [[Highgate United F.C.|Highgate United]] in 2018, and was appointed assistant manager of that club in July 2021.
==Life and career==
Oji was born in [[City of Westminster|Westminster]], London.<ref name="Hugman2009-10">{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 |date=2009 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=978-1-84596-474-0 |page=315}}</ref> He was a cousin of R&B/soul singer [[Lemar]].<ref name=EvertonPreview>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-oji-hoping-song-tamworth-7692 |title=Sam Oji hoping to be on song for Tamworth against Everton |first=Gregg |last=Evans |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=6 January 2012 |accessdate=26 January 2020}}</ref> He began his football career as a youth player at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref name="Hugman2009-10"/>
===Birmingham City===
[[File:SamOji cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Oji training with [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] in 2006]]
Oji signed a full-time contract with [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] for the start of the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] season.<ref name="Hugman2009-10"/> In [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] he spent six weeks [[Loan (sports)|on loan]] at [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/4462474.stm |title=Oji set for Doncaster loan move |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2005 |accessdate=8 January 2008}}</ref> for whom he made his debut in the [[English Football League|Football League]] as a 75th-minute [[Substitute (football)|substitute]] for [[Ricky Ravenhill]] in a 1–0 away loss against [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] on 6 December.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4494718.stm |title=Gillingham 1–0 Doncaster |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 December 2005 |accessdate=8 January 2008}}</ref>
On 7 February 2006 he made his only first-team appearance for Birmingham, in an [[2005–06 FA Cup|FA Cup]] fourth round replay at home to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]. He came on as a last-minute substitute for [[Stephen Clemence]] in a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4680422.stm |title=Birmingham 2–1 Reading |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 February 2006 |accessdate=8 January 2008}}</ref>
A year later he joined [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] on a month's loan, later extended to two months.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/6470211.stm |title=Oji extends Bristol Rovers loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2007 |accessdate=8 January 2008}}</ref> In the summer of 2007 he had a trial with [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]],<ref name=contract>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/6906446.stm |title=Birmingham man has Southend trial |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 July 2007 |accessdate=8 January 2008}}</ref> then in August signed for [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] on a month's loan,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/6966999.stm |title=Orient sign Birmingham defender |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2007 |accessdate=29 November 2007}}</ref> later extended to three months.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/7024335.stm |title=Oji extends loan deal at Orient |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2007 |accessdate=8 January 2008}}</ref>
===Leyton Orient===
With six months remaining on his contract,<ref name=contract/> Oji left Birmingham by mutual consent on 8 January 2008 and joined Leyton Orient until the end of the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]] season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/7176782.stm |title=O's get Oji as Chambers pens deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2008 |accessdate=8 January 2008}}</ref> He was released by Orient at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/7390970.stm |title=O's boss begins summer shake-up |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 May 2008 |accessdate=19 June 2008}}</ref>
===Hereford United===
Oji signed for [[Football League One|League One]] club [[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]] on 7 August 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/2026046/Sam-Oji-Becomes-A-Bull |title=Sam Oji becomes a Bull |publisher=Hereford United F.C. |date=7 August 2008 |accessdate=7 August 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919180122/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/2026046/Sam-Oji-Becomes-A-Bull |archivedate=19 September 2008}}</ref> After five games for the club he suffered a knee injury which kept him out of training for four months; he never regained his first-team place and at the end of his short-term contract, in February 2009, he was released.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/wdp/news/Oji-returns-Bulls-lengthy-lay/article-615884-detail/article.html |title=Oji returns for Bulls after lengthy lay-off |newspaper=Western Daily Press |date=14 January 2009 |accessdate=19 February 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809122029/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Oji-returns-Bulls-lengthy-lay/story-11303443-detail/story.html |archivedate=9 August 2011}}<br>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/wdp/sport/football/Oji-leaves-Hereford-United/article-675977-detail/article.html |title=Oji leaves Hereford United |newspaper=Western Daily Press |date=5 February 2009 |accessdate=19 February 2009 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120912064155/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Oji-leaves-Hereford-United/story-11237161-detail/story.html |archivedate=12 September 2012}}</ref>
===Ljungskile SK===
In March 2009 Oji joined [[Ljungskile SK]] of the [[Superettan]] (Swedish second division) after a successful trial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lsk.se/default.asp?do=document&docid=4226 |title=Tre nya spelare klara för LSK! |trans-title=Three new players ready for LSK |publisher=Ljungskile SK |date=31 March 2009 |language=Swedish |accessdate=11 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527183354/http://www.lsk.se/default.asp?do=document&docid=4226 |archivedate=27 May 2011}}</ref> He played only six league games for Ljungskile before leaving in June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lsk.se/default.asp?do=team_details&subdo=player_details&sectionID=182&playerID=3161&title=Samuel%20Oji |title=Samuel Oji |publisher=Ljungskile SK |language=Swedish |accessdate=11 February 2010 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120904085459/http://www.lsk.se/default.asp?do=team_details&subdo=player_details&sectionID=182&playerID=3161&title=Samuel%20Oji |archivedate=4 September 2012}}<br>{{cite web |url=http://www.lsk.se/default.asp?do=document&docID=4448 |title=Sommarnyheter i truppen |trans-title=Summer squad news |publisher=Ljungskile SK |date=26 June 2009 |language=Swedish |accessdate=21 December 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927175828/http://www.lsk.se/default.asp?do=document&docID=4448 |archivedate=27 September 2011}}</ref>
In August, Oji had a trial with [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s383/st147684.htm |title=Young Rovers Side Slip to Defeat at The Bay |author=Matthew Jones |work=Total Tranmere |publisher=SportNetwork |date=5 August 2009 |accessdate=11 February 2010}}</ref> but cruciate ligament injuries suffered while on trials with Turkish [[Süper Lig]] side [[Diyarbakirspor]] and with Leyton Orient kept him out of football for two years.<ref name=EvertonPreview/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leytonorient.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10439~1791217,00.html |title=Reserves Thrashed By Palace |publisher=Leyton Orient F.C |date=8 September 2009 |accessdate=11 February 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912051621/http://www.leytonorient.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10439~1791217,00.html |archivedate=12 September 2009}}</ref>
===Tamworth===
In December 2011, Oji signed for [[Conference Premier]] club [[Tamworth F.C.|Tamworth]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16303774.stm |title=Defender Sam Oji pens Tamworth contract |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 December 2011 |accessdate=22 December 2011}}</ref> He made his debut as a second-half substitute in the first match of 2012, a 2–2 draw at home to [[Alfreton Town]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/matches/first-points-of-the-year-are-shared-613.htm |title=First points of the year are shared |publisher=Tamworth F.C |date=1 January 2012 |accessdate=2 January 2012}}</ref> He was sent off for two bookable offences in a league match against [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]] on 4 February 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16779120 | title=Fleetwood 2–2 Tamworth | publisher=BBC Sport | date=4 February 2012 | accessdate=31 March 2012}}</ref>
===League of Ireland===
Oji signed for [[League of Ireland]] club [[Limerick F.C.|Limerick]] on 26 August 2013, and made his debut for the club in a 2–0 away defeat to [[Sligo Rovers F.C.|Sligo Rovers]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.limerickfc.ie/report-sligo-2-0-limerick | title=Sligo 2-0 Limerick | publisher=Limerick FC | date=31 August 2013 | accessdate=31 August 2013 | archive-date=13 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124248/http://www.limerickfc.ie/report-sligo-2-0-limerick | url-status=dead }}</ref> In February 2015, he moved to [[Galway United F.C.|Galway United]] in the same league.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://galwayunitedfc.ie/sam-oji-signs-for-united/ |title=Sam Oji signs for United! |publisher=Galway United F.C. |date=23 February 2015 |accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref>
===Return to England===
[[Worcester City F.C.|Worcester City]] signed Oji ahead of the opening fixture of the [[2016–17 National League#National League North|2016–17 National League North season]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.worcestercityfc.com/news/a-further-three-players-join-the-ranks-1656676.html | title=A further three players join the ranks | publisher=Worcester City F.C. | date=5 August 2016 | accessdate=5 August 2016}}</ref> The following summer he moved to [[Northern Premier League]] Premier Division club [[Hednesford Town F.C.|Hednesford Town]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/transfers/two-new-pitmen-2/ | title=Two new Pitmen | publisher=Pitch Hero Non League | date=28 July 2017 | accessdate=28 July 2017}}</ref> He made 41 appearances over the season, of which 38 were in league competition,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitmenweb.co.uk/player-stats-1 |title=Player stats 2017–2018 |website=PitmenWeb |accessdate=26 January 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028172233/https://www.pitmenweb.co.uk/player-stats-1 |url-status=dead }}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.pitmenweb.co.uk/fixtures-results-2017-20181 |title=Fixtures results 2017–2018 |website=PitmenWeb |accessdate=26 January 2020 }}</ref> before signing for [[Highgate United F.C.|Highgate United]] of the [[Midland Football League|Midland League]] Premier Division in July 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://solihullobserver.co.uk/sport/highgate-bosses-delighted-to-seal-move-for-defensive-duo/ |title=Highgate bosses delighted to seal move for defensive duo |first=Craig |last=Gibbons |newspaper=Solihull Observer |date=20 July 2018 |accessdate=26 January 2020}}</ref>
Oji was appointed assistant to [[Simon Johnson (footballer)|Simon Johnson]], new manager of Highgate United, on 20 July 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highgateunited.co.uk/news/welcome-new-manager---simon-johnson |title=Welcome New Manager – Simon Johnson |publisher=Highgate United F.C. |date=20 July 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highgateunited.co.uk/news/welcome-samuel-oji |title=Welcome Samuel Oji |publisher=Highgate United F.C. |date=20 July 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref>
==Death==
Oji died on 28 August 2021 at the age of 35; a day earlier, Highgate United had stated that he was "extremely ill".<ref>{{cite news |title=Sam Oji: Former Birmingham City defender and Arsenal youth player dies at age 35 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58368820 |access-date=28 August 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2021}}</ref> He was married and had two children.<ref name=worcester>{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Andy |title=Sam Oji: Thousands raised in memory of ex-Birmingham City defender |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/19548101.sam-oji-thousands-raised-memory-ex-birmingham-city-defender/ |access-date=30 October 2021 |work=Worcester News |date=31 August 2021}}</ref><ref name=HUdeath>{{cite tweet |author=Highgate United FC |author-link=Highgate United F.C. |user=HighgateUnited |number=1431545845242073091 |date=28 August 2021 |title=All it is with a very heavy heart that I am deeply saddened to inform you, that our beloved Captain, Leader and Legend Samuel Oji has sadly passed away. The thoughts of all at Highgate United FC are with Sam’s wife, children and family at this very sad time. |access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{Soccerway}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oji, Sam}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Footballers from the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:People from Westminster]]
[[Category:Black British sportsmen]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Arsenal F.C. players]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hereford United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Ljungskile SK players]]
[[Category:Tamworth F.C. players]]
[[Category:Limerick F.C. players]]
[[Category:Galway United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Worcester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hednesford Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Highgate United F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:National League (English football) players]]
[[Category:Superettan players]]
[[Category:League of Ireland players]]
[[Category:Northern Premier League players]]
[[Category:Midland Football League players]]
[[Category:English expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's association footballers in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden]]
[[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Ireland]]
[[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Sweden]]
[[Category:21st-century English sportsmen]]