The lowdown on new Walsall striker Tai Sodje’s career so far.
The 22-year-old spent 10 years on the books at Manchester City, before plundering 14 goals for Buxton last term.
He has penned a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months for the Saddlers.
Here is everything you need to know about his journey so far...
Sporting family
Born in Sheffield, Sodje hails from a sporting family. His father Bright played professional Rugby League, while his uncles Efe and Sam were international footballers for Nigeria.
His own sporting journey started with hometown club Sheffield United, before English heavyweights Manchester City came calling in 2015.
A decade at Man City
New Walsall signing Tai Sodje spent 10 years on the books at Manchester City - playing alongside Nico O'Reilly, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap.placeholder image
New Walsall signing Tai Sodje spent 10 years on the books at Manchester City - playing alongside Nico O'Reilly, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap. | Getty Images
Aged just 11 upon joining the Citizens, Sodje rocketed through the ranks alongside England stars Nico O’Reilly and Cole Palmer, as well as fellow professionals Liam Delap and Shea Charles.
Sodje wasted little time announcing himself on the academy stage when he marked his first full season for the under-18s with 19 goals in just 22 games.
That included a hat-trick in a win over Liverpool and braces against Sunderland, Manchester United, Liverpool (in the reverse fixture) and Wolves.
The 2020-21 campaign ended with Sodje topping the goal-scoring charts at City, as his side won the Under-18 Premier League title.
Injury setbacks
Sodje was released by Manchester City in 2025 after a number of a injury battles.placeholder image
Sodje was released by Manchester City in 2025 after a number of a injury battles. | Getty Images
While a number of his teammates began to venture into the professional game, Sodje saw his development stalled by a spate of injuries.
Sodje was still able to dazzle intermittently and even made the step-up to the under-21s, but it ultimately deprived him of the opportunity to progress.
“It was tough. You feel like you’re just coming back, you feel like you’ve past it and then to break down again, it just kills you,” he revealed in an interview with MEN last year.
His decade-long affiliation with City came to an end when he was released by the club in the summer of 2025.
Buxton break
Sodje started his revival with Buxton in the six-tier last term.placeholder image
Sodje started his revival with Buxton in the six-tier last term. | Phil Peat
Sodje’s fledgling career was at a crossroads, as he plotted his revival as a free agent.
His trial with Fleetwood Town failed to generate an offer, but he did eventually find his next destination with Buxton in the National League North.
Buxton had only just turned fully professional at the start of last season, but Sodje hit the ground running at the Silverlands Stadium.
He scored eight goals in his first 15 starts and also helped guide them to the FA Cup second round, where he scored in a 6-2 defeat at League Two side Cheltenham Town.
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After his period of injury hell, Sodje was simply savouring every moment with Buxton last season.
“It makes you appreciate it loads more so now that I’m in that flow of playing games, I’m enjoying it because I know what it’s like to not play,” he told MEN last year.
He added in another interview with BBC Sport: “I just look forward and accept that you can’t change the past. You are not going to go anywhere if you are just looking back and thinking this could’ve happened or that could have happened.”
Sodje missed three months with a fractured foot after the turn of the year, but returned towards the tail end of the campaign.
In total, he scored 14 goals in 24 appearances for the Derbyshire outfit - according to Soccer Base.
What can he offer Walsall?
Sodje has penned a two-year deal with an option year at Walsall.placeholder image
Sodje has penned a two-year deal with an option year at Walsall. | Owen Russell
If Sodje can translate his goal scoring form at Buxton and for Manchester City at academy level into League Two then he could prove a shrewd find for Walsall.
The injuries are a concern, but he proved during the first half of last season that he’s capable of playing consistently.
Walsall also need to stack this squad with resilient characters and Sodje’s journey so far epitomises exactly that.
He will also augment an attack, which currently includes Aaron Pressley and fellow summer signing Andrew Dallas.
Although predominantly a striker, Sodje was sometimes deployed on the flanks during his academy days, and could offer a versatile option for Grant.
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