{{short description|Welsh footballer (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}} {{for-multi|the Scottish rugby union player|Alex Samuel (rugby union)}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Alex Samuel | fullname = Alexander Kinloch Samuel<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Wycombe Wanderers championship club |publisher=English Football League |page=77 |access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|9|20|df=y}}<ref name="Soccerway – Alex Samuel">{{cite news | title = Soccerway – Alex Samuel| url = https://uk.soccerway.com/players/alex-samuel/212240/| website = Soccerway | access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> | birth_place = Neath, Wales<ref name="Soccerway – Alex Samuel"/> | height = | position = Winger, forward | currentclub = Partick Thistle | clubnumber = 9 | youthyears1 = 2008–2011 | youthclubs1 = Aberystwyth Town | years1 = 2011–2012 | clubs1 = Aberystwyth Town | caps1 = 9 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2012–2017 | clubs2 = Swansea City | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2015–2016 | clubs3 = → Greenock Morton (loan) | caps3 = 26 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2017 | clubs4 = → Newport County (loan) | caps4 = 18 | goals4 = 2 | years5 = 2017–2018 | clubs5 = Stevenage | caps5 = 22 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2018–2021 | clubs6 = Wycombe Wanderers | caps6 = 72 | goals6 = 6 | years7 = 2021–2025 | clubs7 = Ross County | caps7 = 51 | goals7 = 3 | years8 = 2024 | clubs8 = → Inverness Caledonian Thistle (loan) | caps8 = 14 | goals8 = 4 | years9 = 2025– | clubs9 = Partick Thistle | caps9 = 32 | goals9 = 9 | nationalyears1 = 2012 | nationalteam1 = Wales U18 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 2 | club-update = 13:42, 2 May 2026 (UTC) }} '''Alexander Kinloch Samuel''' (born 20 September 1995) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward for Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle.
Samuel began his career in the youth academy at Aberystwyth Town, breaking into the first team during the 2011–12 season. He joined Swansea City's academy in the summer of 2012 and spent time on loan at Greenock Morton and Newport County. He signed for Stevenage ahead of the 2017–18 season, spending one year at the club before joining Wycombe Wanderers of League One in August 2018.
He spent three seasons at Wycombe, scoring 11 goals in 88 appearances and helping the club earn promotion to the Championship. Samuel joined Ross County of the Scottish Premiership on a free transfer in August 2021, but his time there was limited by injuries. He spent the second half of the 2023–24 season on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, was released by Ross County in June 2025, and signed for Partick Thistle in August 2025. He has also represented Wales at under-18 level.
==Club career== ===Aberystwyth Town=== Samuel started his career at Cymru Premier club Aberystwyth Town, progressing through the club's academy.<ref name="Academy Honours – Alex Samuel">{{cite news| title = Academy Honours – Alex Samuel| url = https://www.atfc.org.uk/academyhonours.html| publisher = Aberystwyth Town F.C.| access-date = 27 October 2017| archive-date = 3 October 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171003183935/https://www.atfc.org.uk/academyhonours.html| url-status = bot: unknown}}</ref> While still in the academy, he briefly joined boyhood club Swansea City, but travelling difficulties led to a return to Aberystwyth.<ref name="Academy Honours – Alex Samuel"/> He trained with the Aberystwyth first team in the opening months of the 2011–12 season while continuing to feature for the under-16 team.<ref name="Academy Honours – Alex Samuel"/> Samuel made his senior debut two weeks after his 16th birthday,<ref name="WPL career details for Alex Samuel">{{cite news| title = WPL career details for Alex Samuel| url = http://welsh-premier.com/player_detail.php?player_id=2261| publisher = Welsh Premier League| access-date = 27 October 2017| archive-date = 10 August 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160810190312/http://welsh-premier.com/player_detail.php?player_id=2261| url-status = bot: unknown}}</ref> coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in a 2–0 away defeat to Llanelli Town on 8 October 2011.<ref name="Llanelli Town 2–0 Aberystwyth Town">{{cite news | title = Llanelli Town 2–0 Aberystwyth Town| url = https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2011/10/08/wales/premier-league/llanelli-afc/aberystwyth-town-fc/1127108/| website = Soccerway | date = 8 October 2011| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> In his third appearance, he came off the substitutes' bench to score a late equaliser in Aberystwyth's 1–1 Welsh Cup draw with Llandudno in January 2012.<ref name="Aberystwyth Town 1–1 Llandudno">{{cite news| title = Aberystwyth Town 1–1 Llandudno| url = https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2012/01/28/wales/welsh-cup/aberystwyth-town-fc/llandudno-town-fc/1232078/| website = Soccerway| date = 28 January 2012| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> He made nine first-team appearances that season in all competitions, scoring once.<ref name="Soccerway – Alex Samuel"/>
===Swansea City and loan spells=== Following his first-team involvement at Aberystwyth, Samuel attracted transfer interest from several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Swansea City.<ref name="Academy Honours – Alex Samuel"/> He chose to join Swansea, where he had briefly spent time two years earlier, signing a two-year scholarship in the summer of 2012.<ref name="Academy Honours – Alex Samuel"/> He spent the next two seasons in Swansea's academy before signing his first professional contract on 30 May 2014.<ref name="Eight Swansea City youngsters have been offered contract extensions">{{cite news| title = Eight Swansea City youngsters have been offered contract extensions| url = https://www.swanseacity.com/news/eight-swansea-city-youngsters-have-been-offered-contract-extensions| publisher = Swansea City A.F.C.| date = 30 May 2014| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> Samuel played regularly for the Swansea City under-21 team during the 2014–15 season, helping them win the Professional Development League Two title.<ref name="neath">{{cite news|url=http://www.swanseacity.com/news/article/transfer-deadline-day-swansea-city-alex-samuel-greenock-morton-loan-2662057.aspx|title=Samuel makes Morton loan move|publisher=Swansea City A.F.C.|date=1 September 2015|access-date =5 September 2015}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Youngsters offered pro contracts">{{cite news| title = Youngsters offered pro contracts| url = https://www.swanseacity.com/news/youngsters-offered-pro-contracts| publisher = Swansea City A.F.C.| date = 27 May 2015| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Swansea City U23s, Morton, Alex Samuel">{{cite news| title = Swansea City U23s, Morton, Alex Samuel| url = https://www.swanseacity.com/news/swansea-city-under-23s-morton-alex-samuel| publisher = Swansea City A.F.C.| date = 26 July 2016| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> At the end of the season, he signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the club until the summer of 2017.<ref name="Youngsters offered pro contracts"/>
Samuel joined Greenock Morton of the Scottish Championship on loan on transfer deadline day in early September 2015,<ref name="Alex Samuel speaks to Graham Barr">{{cite news| title = Alex Samuel speaks to Graham Barr| url = https://gmfc.net/2015/12/05/479/| publisher = Greenock Morton F.C.| date = 5 December 2015| access-date = 27 October 2017| archive-date = 27 October 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125517/https://gmfc.net/2015/12/05/479/| url-status = bot: unknown}}</ref> a move he said he "knew straight away" he wanted to take.<ref name="Alex Samuel speaks to Graham Barr"/> He signed an initial four-month loan deal, running until January 2016.<ref name="Alex Samuel speaks to Graham Barr"/><ref name="Swansea City striker Alex Samuel joins Morton on loan">{{cite news| title = Swansea City striker Alex Samuel joins Morton on loan| url = https://www.swanseacity.com/news/youngsters-offered-pro-contracts| website = BBC Sport | date = 1 September 2015| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> Samuel made his Morton debut as a 78th-minute substitute for Romario Sabajo in a 4–2 away victory at Livingston on 5 September 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://spfl.co.uk/championship/fixture/3636723/|title=Livingston 2–4 Morton|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=5 September 2015|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=23 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023050948/http://spfl.co.uk/championship/fixture/3636723/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored his first two goals for the club in a 3–2 extra-time Scottish League Cup victory over Motherwell at Cappielow in his fourth appearance for the club.<ref name="Alex Samuel – Soccerbase – 2015/16">{{cite news| title = Alex Samuel – Soccerbase – 2015/16| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=87884&season_id=145| website = Soccerbase|publisher=Centurycomm| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Greenock Morton 3–2 Motherwell">{{cite news| title = Greenock Morton 3–2 Motherwell| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34253283| website = BBC Sport| date = 22 September 2015| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> His first Scottish League goal came in the Renfrewshire derby, a close-range equaliser in a 1–1 draw away at St Mirren on 20 November 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/scotland/34886332|title=Highlights: St Mirren 1–1 Morton|website=BBC Sport|date=20 November 2015|access-date =21 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="St Mirren 1–1 Greenock Morton">{{cite news| title = St Mirren 1–1 Greenock Morton| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34805787 | website = BBC Sport| date = 20 November 2015| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> In January 2016, his loan was extended for the rest of the 2015–16 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/14192203.BREAKING__Morton_secure_striker_Alex_Samuel_until_end_of_season/?ref=fbshr|title=Morton secure striker Alex Samuel until end of season|newspaper=Greenock Telegraph|publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd|first=Jonathan|last=Mitchell|date=8 January 2016|access-date=8 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Greenock Morton: Alex Samuel extends his stay at Cappielow">{{cite news| title = Greenock Morton: Alex Samuel extends his stay at Cappielow| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35271933| website = BBC Sport | date = 9 January 2016| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> A month later, he briefly returned to Swansea to receive treatment on a knee injury sustained in a Development League West match against Queen's Park.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/morton/14288353.Injured_Morton_striker_returns_home/|title=Injured Morton striker returns home|publisher=Greenock Telegraph|date=19 February 2016|access-date=22 February 2016|first=Jonathan|last=Mitchell}}</ref> The injury sidelined him for a month,<ref>{{soccerbase season|87884|2015| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> but he returned as a late substitute in a 3–2 victory against Queen of the South on 15 March 2016.<ref name="Greenock Morton 3–2 Queen of the South">{{cite news| title = Greenock Morton 3–2 Queen of the South| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35751155 | website = BBC Sport| date = 15 March 2016 | access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> Samuel featured predominantly from the substitutes' bench for the remainder of the season,<ref name="Alex Samuel – Soccerbase – 2015/16"/> finishing his time at Morton with 30 appearances and four goals in all competitions, as the club placed fifth in the Scottish Championship.<ref name="Alex Samuel – Soccerbase – 2015/16"/>
Upon returning to Swansea, Samuel began the 2016–17 season playing regularly for the Swansea City under-23 team,<ref name="Soccerway – Alex Samuel"/> also making three appearances in the EFL Trophy,<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2016/2017">{{soccerbase season|87884|2016|access-date=27 October 2017}}</ref> scoring in a 2–1 group-stage win away to Newport County on 4 October 2016.<ref name="EFL Trophy: Newport County 1–2 Swansea City U23">{{cite news| title = EFL Trophy: Newport County 1–2 Swansea City U23 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37558163| website = BBC Sport | date = 4 October 2016| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> Having yet to make a senior appearance for Swansea, he joined League Two club Newport County on loan on 13 January 2017.<ref name="Huddersfield Town striker Flo Bojaj joins Newport County on loan">{{cite news | title = Huddersfield Town striker Flo Bojaj joins Newport County on loan| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38576780 | website = BBC Sport| date = 13 January 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="County secure loan signing of Alex Samuel">{{cite news| title = County secure loan signing of Alex Samuel| url = https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2017/january/county-secure-loan-signing-of-alex-samuel/| publisher = Newport County A.F.C. | date = 13 January 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> He made his Newport debut as a 29th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw away at Barnet on 21 January 2017.<ref name="Barnet 0–0 Newport County">{{cite news | title = Barnet 0–0 Newport County| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38619887| website = BBC Sport| date = 21 January 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> After coming on as a substitute in his first three games, Samuel started every subsequent match,<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2016/2017"/> scoring his first goal in a 3–1 home defeat to Blackpool on 18 March 2017.<ref name="Newport County 1–3 Blackpool">{{cite news| title = Newport County 1–3 Blackpool| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39239724| website = BBC Sport| date = 18 March 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> Samuel made 18 appearances and scored twice during the five-month loan,<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2016/2017"/> as Newport secured their League Two status by winning five of their final seven games.<ref name="League Two – 2016/17">{{cite news| title = League Two – 2016/17| url = http://www.skysports.com/league-2-table/2016| website = Sky Sports|publisher=Sky UK | access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> He was named the club's Player of the Year at the end of the season.<ref name="Newport County AFC 2016/17 Awards">{{cite news| title = Newport County AFC 2016/17 Awards| url = https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2017/may/newport-county-afc-201617-awards/| publisher = Newport County A.F.C.| date = 13 May 2017 | access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref>
===Stevenage=== Samuel signed for League Two club Stevenage on a two-year deal on 9 May 2017, joining on a free transfer.<ref name="Alex Samuel: Stevenage sign striker from Swansea City">{{cite news | title = Alex Samuel: Stevenage sign striker from Swansea City| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39863679| website = BBC Sport| date = 9 May 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="Alex Samuel excited for future with Stevenage">{{cite news| title = Alex Samuel excited for future with Stevenage| url = https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2017/may/alex-samuel-excited-for-future-with-stevenage/| publisher = Stevenage F.C.| date = 9 May 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017 |first=Dan |last=Branowsky}}</ref> He made his Stevenage debut on the opening day of the 2017–18 season, playing the first 57 minutes in a 3–3 draw against former club Newport County at Broadhall Way.<ref name="Stevenage 3–3 Newport County">{{cite news| title = Stevenage 3–3 Newport County| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40761204| website = BBC Sport| date = 5 August 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017}}</ref> His first goal for Stevenage came in the club's 6–2 EFL Trophy defeat to Oxford United on 29 August 2017, when he capitalised on a defensive slip to score a late consolation.<ref name="Report: Boro fall to heavy defeat in first Checkatrade Trophy game">{{cite news| title = Report: Boro fall to heavy defeat in first Checkatrade Trophy game| url = https://www.stevenagefc.com/Teams/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/stevenage-vs-oxford-united-on-29-aug-17/| publisher = Stevenage F.C.| date = 29 August 2017| access-date = 27 October 2017|first=Alfie |last=Dinsey| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171027233806/https://www.stevenagefc.com/Teams/fixtures/first-team/201718/august/stevenage-vs-oxford-united-on-29-aug-17/| archive-date = 27 October 2017| url-status = dead}}</ref> Samuel made 28 appearances across the season, of which 16 were from the substitutes' bench, and scored four goals.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2018/2019">{{soccerbase season|87884|2018|access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref> A "mystery ankle injury" restricted him to just five appearances during the second half of the 2017–18 season,<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2018/2019"/><ref name="Samuel signs extended deal">{{cite news | title = Samuel signs extended deal | url = https://www.wwfc.com/news/2019/september/samuel-signs-extended-deal/ | publisher = Wycombe Wanderers F.C. | date = 5 September 2019 | access-date = 9 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Wycombe Wanderers: The 'rejects' behind their rise to the Championship">{{cite news | title = Wycombe Wanderers: The 'rejects' behind their rise to the Championship | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54059693 | website = BBC Sport | date = 10 September 2020 | accessdate = 9 July 2021 | first = James | last = Law}}</ref> and he was released in May 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2018/may/stevenage-fc-releasedretained-list-20172018/|title=Player meetings concluded – retained/released list available|publisher=Stevenage F.C.|date=8 May 2018|access-date=29 June 2018|first=Dan|last=Branowsky}}</ref>
===Wycombe Wanderers=== After undergoing ankle surgery, Samuel turned down contract offers from Newport County and Yeovil Town.<ref name="Wycombe Wanderers: The 'rejects' behind their rise to the Championship"/> He signed for newly promoted League One club Wycombe Wanderers on 23 August 2018, initially on a short-term contract until 20 January 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wwfc.com/news/2018/august/alex-samuel-signs-short-term-deal/|title=Alex Samuel signs short term deal|publisher=Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|date=23 August 2018|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref> Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth stated he had been impressed by his performance in a match between Wycombe and Stevenage in December 2017.<ref name="Samuel signs extended deal"/> He made his debut on 28 August 2018, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for Adebayo Akinfenwa in an EFL Cup match against Forest Green Rovers, which Wycombe won on penalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45254465|title=Wycombe 2–2 Forest Green: Hosts win again on penalties|website=BBC Sport|date=28 August 2018|access-date=2 September 2018}}</ref> He scored his first goal in a 2–1 victory against Fulham under-21s at Adams Park in the EFL Trophy on 18 September 2018.<ref name="Wycombe Wanderers 2–1 Fulham U21">{{cite news | title = Wycombe Wanderers 2–1 Fulham U21 | url = https://www.skysports.com/football/wycombe-vs-fulham-u21/400930 | website = Sky Sports | publisher = Sky UK | date = 18 September 2018 | access-date = 10 May 2019}}</ref> Samuel signed a contract extension until June 2021 on 16 November 2018, with Ainsworth praising his work ethic and character.<ref name="Alex Samuel – Forward">{{cite news | title = Alex Samuel – Forward | url = http://www.chairboys.co.uk/players/samuel_alex.htm | website = chairboys.co.uk | publisher = Chairboys on the Net | access-date = 2 September 2025}}</ref> He was a regular starter for Wycombe throughout the 2018–19 season, scoring six goals in 36 games as Wycombe finished 17th in League One.<ref name="League One Table – 2018/2019">{{cite news | title = League One Table – 2018/2019 | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?comp_id=3 | website = Soccerbase | publisher = Centurycomm | access-date = 10 May 2019}}</ref> Samuel was named Wycombe's Young Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards.<ref name="Samuel signs extended deal"/>
A month into the 2019–20 season, Samuel signed a one-year contract extension on 5 September 2019, with the new agreement running until June 2022.<ref name="Samuel signs extended deal"/> He sustained an injury in a 1–0 defeat away to Gillingham later that month, which kept him out of the first team until November 2019.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2019/2020">{{soccerbase season|87884|2019|access-date=24 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="Gillingham vs. Wycombe Wanderers – Live Text">{{cite news | title = Gillingham vs. Wycombe Wanderers – Live Text | url = https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/matches/fixtures/first-team/201920/september/gillingham-vs-wycombe-wanderers-on-14-sep-19/ | publisher = Gillingham F.C. | date = 14 September 2019 | access-date = 9 July 2021}}</ref> He made 27 appearances over the course of the season, scoring four goals.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2019/2020"/> That total included three appearances and one goal in the League One play-offs.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2019/2020"/> Samuel started the final at Wembley Stadium, playing 62 minutes as Wycombe defeated Oxford United 2–1 to secure promotion on 13 July 2020.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2019/2020"/><ref name="Oxford United 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers">{{cite news | title = Oxford United 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53316283 | website = BBC Sport | date = 13 July 2020 | access-date = 9 July 2021 |first=Adam |last=Williams}}</ref> He made 23 appearances in the Championship during the following season, scoring once, as Wycombe were relegated back to League One after finishing in 22nd place.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2020/2021">{{soccerbase season|87884|2020|access-date=26 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="Championship – 2020–21 – League Table">{{cite news | title = Championship – 2020–21 – League Table | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/championship/20202021/regular-season/r59442/ | website = Soccerway | access-date = 9 July 2021}}</ref>
===Ross County=== Samuel signed for Scottish Premiership club Ross County on a two-year contract on 31 August 2021, joining on a free transfer following his departure from Wycombe by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news-items/alex-samuel-is-a-staggie|title=Alex Samuel is a Staggie|publisher=Ross County F.C.|website=rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk|date=31 August 2021|accessdate=31 August 2021}}</ref> He debuted for Ross County in a 3–0 defeat to Celtic on 11 September 2021.<ref name="Celtic 3–0 Ross County">{{cite news |title= Celtic 3–0 Ross County |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58444925 |website=BBC Sport |date=11 September 2021 |access-date=24 July 2025 |first=Nick |last=McPheat}}</ref> Later that season, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for a year.<ref name="Alex Samuel signs new two-year deal">{{cite news |title= Alex Samuel signs new two-year deal |url=https://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news-items/alex-samuel-signs-new-2-year-deal |publisher=Ross County F.C. |date=27 June 2023 |access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref> Samuel returned to the first team on 21 January 2023, appearing as a substitute in extra time during a Scottish FA Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Hamilton Academical.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2022/2023">{{soccerbase season|87884|2022|accessdate=19 August 2022}}</ref><ref name="Hamilton Academical 0–0 Ross County (AET 5–3 on penalties)">{{cite news |title= Hamilton Academical 0–0 Ross County (AET, 5–3 on penalties) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64272752 |website=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2023 |access-date=24 July 2025 |first=Kenny |last=Crawford}}</ref> He scored his first goal in a 2–0 victory against Livingston on 6 May 2023,<ref name="Ross County 2–0 Livingston">{{cite news |title= Ross County 2–0 Livingston |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65433523 |website=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2023 |access-date=24 July 2025 |first=Martin |last=Dowden}}</ref> and made 13 appearances during the second half of that season, helping the club retain its Premiership status with a comeback win over Partick Thistle in the Premiership play-off final.<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2022/2023"/><ref name="Ross County 3–1 Partick Thistle (agg 3–3; County win 5–4 on pens)">{{cite news |title= Ross County 3–1 Partick Thistle (agg 3–3; County win 5–4 on pens) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65736747 |website=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2023 |access-date=24 July 2025 |first = Martin |last=Watt}}</ref> Samuel signed a new two-year contract on 27 June 2023, with the club highlighting his impact following his return from injury.<ref name="Alex Samuel signs new two-year deal"/>
====Loan to Inverness Caledonian Thistle==== Having made 14 appearances for Ross County during the first half of the 2023–24 season,<ref name="AS2324">{{soccerbase season|87884|2023|accessdate=4 April 2025}}</ref> Samuel joined Highland rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 19 January 2024, on a loan agreement until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2024 |title=Alex Samuel signs for ICTFC on loan |url=https://ictfc.com/alex-samuel-signs-for-ictfc-on-loan/ |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=www.ictfc.com |publisher=Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. |language=en-GB}}</ref> He scored on his debut the following day in a 4–0 victory over Broomhill, and followed this up with a nine-minute hat-trick, the first of his senior career, in a 3–2 win away to Raith Rovers on 27 January 2024.<ref name="AS2324"/><ref name="Raith Rovers 2–3 Inverness CT: Nine-minute Alex Samuel hat-trick dents hosts' title hopes">{{cite news |title= Raith Rovers 2–3 Inverness CT: Nine-minute Alex Samuel hat-trick dents hosts' title hopes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68039855 |website=BBC Sport |date=27 January 2024 |access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref> Samuel finished the loan spell with six goals in 19 appearances, as Inverness were relegated to Scottish League One after a play-off final defeat to Hamilton.<ref name="AS2324"/><ref name="Inverness CT 2–3 Hamilton Academical (Agg 3–5)">{{cite news |title= Inverness CT 2–3 Hamilton Academical (Agg 3–5) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cq5nnjx5wrzt |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2024 |access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref>
Samuel returned to Ross County and featured regularly during the first half of the 2024–25 season.<ref name="AS2425">{{soccerbase season|87884|2024|accessdate=4 April 2025}}</ref> He sustained a thigh injury in the club's 3–1 defeat to Hibernian on 14 December 2024,<ref name="'It doesn't look good' – Samuel out for up to three months">{{cite news |title= 'It doesn't look good' – Samuel out for up to three months |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cn54eee723wo |website=BBC Sport |date=17 December 2024 |access-date=24 July 2025 |first=Tyrone |last=Smith}}</ref> which sidelined him until March 2025.<ref name="AS2425"/> He made 29 appearances and scored twice during the season,<ref name="AS2425"/> as Ross County were relegated to the Scottish Championship via the Premiership play-offs.<ref name="Ross County 2–4 Livingston (Agg 3–5)">{{cite news |title= Ross County 2–4 Livingston (Agg 3–5) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cpd41v9p65xt |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2025 |access-date=24 September 2025 | first = Andy | last = Campbell}}</ref> Samuel left the club following the expiry of his contract in June 2025.<ref name="Squad update: Alex Samuel and Logan Ross">{{cite news |title= Squad update: Alex Samuel and Logan Ross |url=https://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news-items/squad-update-alex-samuel-and-logan-ross |publisher=Ross County F.C. |date=4 June 2025 |access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref>
===Partick Thistle=== Following his departure from Ross County, Samuel signed a one-year contract with Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle on 12 August 2025, with the club retaining the option to extend for a further year.<ref name="Alex Samuel becomes a Jag">{{cite news |title= Alex Samuel becomes a Jag |url=https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-news/alex-samuel-becomes-a-jag/ |publisher=Partick Thistle F.C. |date=12 August 2025 |access-date=13 August 2025}}</ref> He made his debut four days later, as a substitute in a 2–0 win over Ayr United in the Scottish League Cup.<ref name="Partick Thistle 2–0 Ayr United">{{cite news |title= Partick Thistle 2–0 Ayr United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cg5005y5q7qt |website=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2025 |access-date=1 September 2025 | first = Jack | last = Herrall}}</ref> Samuel scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 home victory over Airdrieonians on 12 September 2025, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring the decisive goal.<ref name="Partick Thistle 2–1 Airdrieonians">{{cite news |title= Partick Thistle 2–1 Airdrieonians |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cg7dgp3gvg8t#Report |website=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2025 |access-date=24 September 2025 | first = George | last = O'Neill}}</ref>
In March 2026, Partick Thistle activated the option in Samuel’s contract to extend his deal by a further year.<ref>https://ptfc.co.uk/ptfc-news/alex-samuel-contract-extension-triggered/</ref>
==International career== Samuel represented Wales at under-18 level.<ref name="Academy Honours – Alex Samuel"/> He made his debut in a 2–1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in February 2012, scoring the winning goal.<ref name="Academy Honours – Alex Samuel"/>
==Style of play== Samuel has been described by manager Gareth Ainsworth as an energetic, direct player, noted for his persistence and willingness to press opponents.<ref name="Alex Samuel – Forward"/> His strong work ethic has been highlighted,<ref name="Alex Samuel – Forward"/><ref name="Ex-Wycombe Wanderers striker Alex Samuel finds new club">{{cite news |title= Ex-Wycombe Wanderers striker Alex Samuel finds new club |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/highwycombe/25391618.ex-wycombe-wanderers-striker-alex-samuel-finds-new-club/ |work=Bucks Free Press |publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd |date=15 August 2025 |access-date=4 October 2025 |first=James |last=Richings}}</ref> with Samuel also identifying it as one of his key attributes, stating that he always commits fully and believes supporters value that aspect of his game.<ref name="Alex Samuel embracing fresh Ross County start following bittersweet Caley Thistle spell">{{cite news |title= Alex Samuel embracing fresh Ross County start following bittersweet Caley Thistle spell |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/6559439/alex-samuel-embraces-fresh-start-ross-county/ |work=The Press & Journal |publisher=Aberdeen Journals Ltd |date=16 August 2024 |access-date=4 October 2025 |first=Andy |last=Skinner}}</ref>
==Personal life== Samuel is a Christian.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwfc.com/news/2020/december/chairboys-stars-to-deliver-church-service-on-bbc-local-radio/|title=Chairboys Stars To Deliver Church Service on Local Radio|publisher=Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|date=31 December 2020|access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref> He married in 2017; his wife, Rachael, is a singer.<ref name="Alex Samuel excited for future with Stevenage"/><ref name="Rae Sam">{{cite news |title= Rae Sam |url=https://www.raesam.com/ |website=Rae Sam |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 15 May 2026}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Welsh Cup, FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Welsh League Cup, EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="1"|Aberystwyth Town |2011–12<ref name="Soccerway – Alex Samuel"/> |Welsh Premier League |9||0||1||1||1||0||0||0||11||1 |- |rowspan="3"|Swansea City |2015–16 |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2016–17<ref name="Soccerway – Alex Samuel"/> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |Swansea City U23s |2016–17 |Professional Development League |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3<ref group=lower-alpha name=EFLT>Appearances in EFL Trophy</ref>||1||3||1 |- |rowspan="1"|Greenock Morton (loan) |2015–16<ref name="Alex Samuel – Soccerbase – 2015/16"/> |Scottish Championship |26||2||3||0||1||2||0||0||30||4 |- |Newport County (loan) |2016–17<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2016/2017"/> |League Two |18||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||18||2 |- |rowspan="1"|Stevenage |2017–18<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2017/2018">{{soccerbase season|87884|2017|accessdate=27 October 2017}}</ref> |League Two |22||0||3||1||1||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=EFLT></ref>||3||28||4 |- |rowspan="5"|Wycombe Wanderers |2018–19<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2018/2019"/> |League One |30||5||1||0||2||0||3<ref group=lower-alpha name=EFLT></ref>||1||36||6 |- |2019–20<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2019/2020"/> |League One |21||1||2||1||1||1||3<ref group=lower-alpha name=EFL1920>Appearances in the 2020 English Football League play-offs</ref>||1||27||4 |- |2020–21<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2020/2021"/> |Championship |21||0||1||1||1||0||0||0||23||1 |- |2021–22<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2021/2022">{{soccerbase season|87884|2021|accessdate=19 August 2021}}</ref> |League One |0||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||2||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !72!!6!!4!!2!!6!!1!!6!!2!!88!!11 |- |rowspan="5"|Ross County |2021–22<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2021/2022"/> |Scottish Premiership |5||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||6||0 |- |2022–23<ref name="Games played by Alex Samuel in 2022/2023"/> |Scottish Premiership |10||1||1||0||0||0||2{{Efn|Appearances in 2023 Scottish Premiership play-offs}}||0||13||1 |- |2023–24<ref name="AS2324"/> |Scottish Premiership |14||0||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||16||0 |- |2024–25<ref name="AS2425"/> |Scottish Premiership |22||2||0||0||5||0||2{{Efn|Appearances in 2025 Scottish Premiership play-offs}}||0||29||2 |- !colspan=2|Total !51!!3!!2!!0!!7!!0!!4!!0!!64!!3 |- |Inverness CT (loan) |2023–24<ref name ="AS2324" /> |Scottish Championship |14||4||1||1||colspan="2"|—||4{{Efn|Appearances in 2024 Scottish Championship play-offs}} ||1||19||6 |- |rowspan="1"|Partick Thistle |2025–26<ref name="AS2526">{{soccerbase season|87884|2025|accessdate=2 September 2025}}</ref> |Scottish Championship |32||9||4||1||2||0||4{{Efn|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup and Scottish Premiership Play Offs}}||3||42||13 |- !colspan=3|Career total !238||25||16||5||14||3||21||8||289||41 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Wycombe Wanderers''' *EFL League One play-offs: 2020<ref name="Oxford United 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers"/>
'''Individual''' *Newport County Player of the Year: 2016–17<ref name="Newport County AFC 2016/17 Awards"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Partick Thistle F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Samuel, Alex}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Neath Category:Welsh men's footballers Category:Wales men's youth international footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Aberystwyth Town F.C. players Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players Category:Greenock Morton F.C. players Category:Newport County A.F.C. players Category:Stevenage F.C. players Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players Category:Ross County F.C. players Category:Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. players Category:Partick Thistle F.C. players Category:Cymru Premier players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:English Football League players Category:Welsh Christians Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen