Former Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani has joined Slovakian club FK Železiarne Podbrezová on loan for the 2026/27 season. The Nigerian midfielder linked up with Podbrezová from Czech outfit Dukla Prague. The agreement also includes an option for the Slovakian club to sign Tijani permanently on a two-year deal. Podbrezová general manager Miroslav Poliaček expressed delight with the arrival of the 23-year-old, highlighting the qualities he is expected to bring to the team.
“He is a player of ideal football age and represents a different typology than what we have had in the squad so far. He is a creative and dynamic midfielder who will bring the necessary impulse and quality to the midfield,” Poliaček told the club’s official website. “Samson is also part of the wider Nigerian national team, which says it all.
I believe that he will fully show his qualities on the pitch and help the team. I wish him the best of luck with us.” Tijani joined Dukla Prague on a free transfer in June 2025 following his departure from Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg. The midfielder quickly established himself as an important member of the Dukla squad, making 26 appearances in the Czech top flight.
Tijani rose to prominence after captaining Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil. He has since progressed to the senior national team and was part of the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 Unity Cup. Tijani featured in Nigeria’s matches against Zimbabwe and Jamaica at the competition. The midfielder has earned three senior international caps for the three-time African champions.