Nigerian winger Adindu Odera Samuel has revealed to Kick Off Nigeria that he was close to joining Spanish side Celta Vigo or Turkish club Adana Demirspor before ultimately signing with Swedish club Hammarby Fotboll in 2024.
Samuel, one of two Nigerian players officially unveiled by Hammarby this year, joined the club after an impressive trial. He arrived from Future Pro Academy, a football development club in West Africa, Nigeria.
Why Samuel Chose Hammarby Over Celta Vigo and Adana Demirspor
In an exclusive interview with Kick Off Nigeria, the pacey Nigerian winger explained why he opted for Sweden over Spain and Turkey, as well as how he was scouted and given a trial opportunity at Hammarby.
“With so many offers on the table, my agent guided me through them, and I chose Hammarby Fotboll because of the number of African and Nigerian players who have risen to the top of their careers after playing in Sweden,” Samuel shared. “I had trial offers from Celta Vigo and Adana Demirspor, but I ultimately picked Hammarby because I felt it would provide the right development and opportunity for me as a young player from Africa.”
“The Swedish league is highly competitive because most clubs focus on young talent. Many Swedish clubs operate as selling clubs, recruiting players to develop and transfer for the future. That’s why the league is packed with talented prospects», he added.
How Hammarby Discovered Samuel
Samuel also detailed how Hammarby’s Sporting Director, Mikael Hjelmberg, spotted him during a scouting mission in Nigeria.
“I was scouted by Hammarby Fotboll when their Sporting Director, Mikael Hjelmberg, came to Africa to identify talent. It wasn’t the first time I had been scouted by a foreign club, but Hammarby was the first to accelerate the process and offer a contract—though it was initially tied to a trial period.”
“Signing my first professional contract was a great moment. I came here on trial, and coming from Africa, I was a bit nervous. But with time, I settled in and gave it my best shot, which ultimately earned me the contract.”
“This is just the first step. I see Hammarby as a stepping stone in my career. My dream is to play in one of the biggest European competitions and represent my country at the highest level.”
Following in Akinkunmi Amoo’s Footsteps
Samuel joined Hammarby alongside Chikezie Okoli, a fellow Nigerian who plays as a right-back.
As he embarks on his European journey, the talented winger hopes to follow in the footsteps of Akinkunmi Amoo, who rose to prominence at Hammarby before securing a move to FC Copenhagen after starring at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
With his raw pace and attacking flair, Samuel is determined to make a name for himself in Sweden and beyond.
