Sadik Balarabe
FullnameSadik Olaniyi Salisu Balarabe[1]
Birth date26 June 1992 (age 34)
Birth placeLondon, England
Height1.80m
CurrentclubAslanköy GSD
(on loan from Mağusa Türk Gücü)
PositionForward
Youthclubs 1Reading
Collegeyears 12011–2012
Collegecaps 129
Collegegoals 130
College 1Jackson Jets
Collegeyears 22013–2014
Collegecaps 217
Collegegoals 25
College 2Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
Years 12013
Clubs 1Chicago Inferno
Caps 15
Goals 11
Years 22014
Clubs 2AO Levante
Years 32015
Clubs 3Iraklis Psachna
Caps 313
Goals 31
Years 42015–2016
Clubs 4Niki Volos
Caps 420
Goals 44
Years 52016–2017
Clubs 5Gil Vicente
Caps 50
Goals 50
Years 62017–2018
Clubs 6Torbalispor
Caps 622
Goals 613
Years 72018
Clubs 7Salihli Belediyespor
Caps 77
Goals 72
Years 82019
Clubs 8Mağusa Türk Gücü
Caps 815
Goals 84
Years 92019–2020
Clubs 9Urraca
Caps 920
Goals 911
Years 102020
Clubs 10Ibiza Islas Pitiusas
Caps 105
Goals 103
Years 112020
Clubs 11Hemel Hempstead Town
Caps 113
Goals 112
Years 122020
Clubs 12Dulwich Hamlet
Caps 123
Goals 120
Years 132021
Clubs 13Cray Wanderers
Caps 134
Goals 130
Years 142021–2022
Clubs 14Mağusa Türk Gücü
Caps 1425
Goals 147
Years 152022
Clubs 15Birmingham Legion
Caps 1512
Goals 152
Years 162023
Clubs 16Welling United
Caps 163
Goals 160
Years 172023
Clubs 17Erith & Belvedere
Caps 170

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.

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

[30]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chicago Inferno2013PDL5100—0051
Iraklis Psachna2014–15Football League13100—00131
Niki Volos2015–16[31]Gamma Ethniki20400—00204
Torbalispor2017–18[32]Bölgesel Amatör Ligi221300—002213
Salihli Belediyespor2018–19Bölgesel Amatör Ligi7200—0072
Mağusa Türk Gücü2018–19[33]KTFF Süper Lig154712—002216
Urraca2019–20Tercera División20111[a]0—002111
Ibiza Islas Pitiusas2019–20Tercera División5300—1[b]063
Hemel Hempstead Town2020–21National League South3210—0042
Dulwich Hamlet3000—0030
Cray Wanderers2021–22[34]Isthmian League Premier Division4000—0040
Mağusa Türk Gücü2021–22[33]KTFF Süper Lig25776—003213
Career total142481718001016066
  1. ^ Appearances in Copa del Rey
  2. ^ Appearances in Tercera División play-offs

Honours

Mağusa Türk Gücü

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Sadik Balarabe profile at TFF". Turkish Football Federation. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  2. ^ "2011-12 NJCAA Stats". NJCAA. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Jackson Community College gamelog 2012". NJCAA. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Cardinals Announce 2013 Men's Soccer Recruiting Class". Saginaw Valley State University. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Sadik Balarabe #8 F Saginaw Valley". Saginaw Valley State University. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Sadik Balarabe profile at Soccer Stats". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  7. ^ Sadik Balarabe: It's been quite an adventure so far… englishplayersabroad.com
  8. ^ "KALLITHEA VS. IRAKLIS PSACHNA 0 - 0". uk.soccerway.com. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Παίκτης της Νίκης ο Σαντίκ Μπαλαράμπε". e-thessalia.gr. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  10. ^ "GIL VICENTE NEW BOY BALARABE TARGETS NIGERIA CALL-UP". africanfootball.com. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  11. ^ "MTG turnayı gözünden vurdu". havadiskibris.com. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Sadik Balarabe Informations". ktff.org. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  13. ^ "Balarabe İspanya'ya Uçtu..!" (in Turkish). arenasporkolik.com. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Sadik Balarabe refuerza la delantera roja" (in Spanish). CD Ibiza Islas Pitiusas. 27 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  15. ^ "WELCOME We're delighted to welcome @SadikBalarabe to the club Memo". No. 1314630621944258561. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Hemel suffer home defeat". hemeltoday.co.uk. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  17. ^ "HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE VS. DULWICH HAMLET 3 - 1". uk.soccerway.com. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Sadik Balarabe - Welcome to the Wands". Cray Wanderers F.C.. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Sadık Balarabe dün akşam geç saatlerde adamıza gelmiş olup bu sezon takımımıza katkı koyacağına inandığımız Sadık'ğa hoşgeldin diyoruz" (in Turkish). facebook.com. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Legion FC Signs Forward Sadik Balarabe". Birmingham Legion FC. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Legion FC Announces Year-End Roster Updates"
  22. ^ "WINGS SIGN FORWARD SADIK BALARABE ON DEAL UNTIL END OF SEASON". Welling United F.C.. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  23. ^ "KENT SENIOR CUP REPORT EBBSFLEET UNITED 2 WELLING UNITED 3". Welling United F.C.. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Järvenlahti klar för inkommande säsong – två testspelare inkommande vecka" (in Finnish). FF Jaro. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Deres sign Sadik Balarabe..". No. 1698323915821416534. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Erith & Belvedere – Appearances – Sadik Balarabe – 2023-2024". footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Full time result 2-0 to VCD". No. 1741145795225682000. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Sadik Olaniyi Salisu Balarabe Player Stats". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  29. ^ "As a result of the transfer negotiations we carried out with precision in line with the construction of the new season, Sadık Balarabe and his club Ma anlaşusa Turkish Power Sports Club have reached an agreement on all aspects." (in Turkish). facebook.com. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  30. ^
  31. ^ "Sadik Balarabe Player Agent". playeragent.gr. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Futbolcu Bilgileri TFF" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  33. ^ "SADIK BALARABE informations" (in Turkish). Cyprus Turkish Football Association. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Cray Wanderers – Appearances – Sadik Balarabe". footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  35. ^ "MTG ŞAMPİYON" (in Turkish). havadiskibris.com. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  36. ^ "MAĞUSA TÜRK GÜCÜ - YENİCAMİ AK match details". ktff.org. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  37. ^ "Futbolda başarılılar ödüllerini alacakKaynak: Futbolda başarılılar ödüllerini alacak" (in Turkish). sporyeni.com. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  38. ^ "Nicosia Gruop Kıbrıs Kupası Finalinden Notlar" (in Turkish). halkinsesikibris.com. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.