Exclusive: Valencia's New and Hungry Striker on a Mission to Reignite His Career

Football is often unpredictable, and few understand this better than Sadiq Umar. The Nigerian striker, who once lit up LaLiga with his dynamic presence at Almeria, found himself struggling for minutes at Real Sociedad following a lengthy injury layoff. 

After returning to full fitness, he faced the harsh reality of football; a competitive squad, tactical decisions beyond his control, and a fight for game time that wasn’t going in his favor.

Rather than stay on the fringes, Sadiq made the bold decision to move on loan to Valencia, a club with its own set of challenges but also an opportunity for him to reignite his career. 

In this exclusive interview, the Super Eagles forward opens up about his difficult spell at Real Sociedad, the factors behind his move, and what he hopes to achieve with Los Che.

“I Need Continuity” – Sadiq on His Real Sociedad Struggles

After recovering from a long-term knee injury, Sadiq found game time hard to come by at Real Sociedad. 

When asked about the situation, he pointed to one major factor: "Injuries. Yeah, of course, you know, before the injury, I was in my best moment. And unluckily, I got injured. But I'm back 100% fully fit. I need continuity. That's how I can get the best out of me."

Despite regaining full fitness, the striker struggled to break into the team regularly. He acknowledged the club’s depth and respected the coach’s decisions, but he knew he had to make a move for his career’s sake.  

"There are a lot of players. Sometimes, the coaches make decisions, which I respect. Maybe if it doesn’t work for me there, it doesn’t mean something bad, but I keep moving, and I hope it will work for me here. I wish La Real all the best," he told SportsBoom.com. 

“Valencia and I Have the Same Hunger” – Why He Chose Los Che

With several clubs reportedly interested in him, Sadiq’s decision to join Valencia CF was influenced by a key conversation. He revealed that a discussion with Valencia CF sporting director Miguel Ángel Corona convinced him that the club shared his ambition and fighting spirit.  

"First of all, what made me choose Valencia is the first day I spoke to Miguel. He explained to me how desperate they are. With my situation, I have a lot of hunger in me. I understand Valencia CF also has a lot of hunger because of the situation the club is in."

For Sadiq, the club’s determination to succeed matched his own drive.  

"I see what I need and what Valencia CF needs is the same. That is what convinced me. When I spoke to Miguel, I realized there was a coincidence between Valencia CF and me. That is what made me decide to come here."

On adapting to Valencia’s playing style, the forward emphasized that his main focus is delivering results.  

"You know, as a striker, I just want to score goals. And in terms of playing, every game is different. What matters is that in every game, you give your best and come out with a good result."

“My Mission Is to Fight for Valencia” – Sadiq’s Goals for the Season

This loan spell represents a fresh start for Sadiq, and he is fully committed to helping Valencia succeed. His primary focus? The team’s success before individual achievements.

"Yes, about my mission. My mission is to come here and fight for Valencia. The first target is for Valencia to be in the right position. My teammates and I will see to that. After that, everything else will come."

He made it clear that personal accolades would take a backseat to the club’s progress.  

"Individual goals are good, but first of all, I have to think about the team. That’s my first goal."

Having already spoken with the coach, Sadiq understands what is expected of him.  

"Yes, I have spoken to the coach. He has told me what they need from me. And what they need is for all of us to fight, me personally and all the others. It is my mission to fight for Valencia."

A Short-Term Fix or a Long-Term Future? 

Having already made his Valencia debut in a cup match, the question now is: does he see this as a temporary opportunity to regain form, or could he stay beyond this season?  

"Well, I’d like to take it a game at a time. Once our goals for the season are hopefully met at the end of the season, then I’d think about it," he said.

For now, Sadiq Umar is fully focused on making an impact at Valencia. Whether his future lies in Mestalla or back in San Sebastián, one thing is clear, he’s hungry for success, and this move is his chance to prove it.