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{{Short description|Footballer (born 1995)}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sammie Szmodics
| name = Sammie Szmodics
| image =
| image = Sam Szmodics 140924.jpg
| caption = Szmodics with [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in 2024
| fullname = Samuel Joseph Szmodics<ref name="coludata">{{cite web |title=Colchester United – Player profile |url=http://coludata.co.uk/player.asp?pid=830 |publisher=Coludata.co.uk |accessdate=29 September 2013}}</ref>
| fullname = Samuel Joseph Szmodics<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802074454/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |archive-date=2 August 2014 |title=Professional Retain List & Free Transfers 2012/13 |page=31 |publisher=The Football League |access-date=29 September 2014 }}</ref>
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1995|09|24}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1995|09|24}}<ref name="SB">{{soccerbase|72691|name=Sammie Szmodics}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Colchester]], England<ref name="coludata"/>
| birth_place = [[Colchester]], England
| height =
| height = 1.68 m<ref name="FS">{{cite web |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2014-2015/flone/colches.htm |title=Colchester United |publisher=FootballSquads |access-date=7 September 2014 }}</ref>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| position = [[Attacking midfielder]], [[forward (association football)|forward]]
| currentclub = [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]
| currentclub = [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
| clubnumber = 40
| clubnumber = 23
| youthyears1 = 2002–2013 |youthclubs1 = [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]
| youthyears1 = 2002–2013
| years1 = 2013– |clubs1 = [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] |caps1 = 6 |goals1 = 0
| youthclubs1 = [[Colchester United F.C. Under-23s and Academy|Colchester United]]
| pcupdate = 00:42, 27 November 2013 (UTC)
| years1 = 2013–2019
| clubs1 = [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]
| caps1 = 142
| goals1 = 35
| years2 = 2015
| clubs2 = → [[Braintree Town F.C.|Braintree Town]] (loan)
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2019–2020
| clubs3 = [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2020
| clubs4 = → [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (loan)
| caps4 = 10
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2020–2022
| clubs5 = [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]]
| caps5 = 79
| goals5 = 21
| years6 = 2022–2024
| clubs6 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
| caps6 = 79
| goals6 = 33
| years7 = 2024–
| clubs7 = [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
| caps7 = 16 <!--LEAGUE APPEARANCES ONLY-->
| goals7 = 3 <!--LEAGUE APPEARANCES ONLY-->
| nationalyears1 = 2024–
| nationalteam1 = [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]
| nationalcaps1 = 10
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 23:29, 27 December 2024 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 21:46, 17 November 2024 (UTC)
}}
}}
'''Samuel Joseph "Sammie" Szmodics''' (born 24 September 1995) is an English [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[midfielder]] for [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]].


'''Samuel Joseph Szmodics''' ({{ipa|en|ˈsmɒdɪks}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Conference {{!}} Sammie Szmodics on joining up with Ireland |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCpUUvy48qM&t=73 |access-date=9 December 2024 |date=20 March 2024}}</ref> born 24 September 1995) is a professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as an [[attacking midfielder]] or [[forward (association football)|forward]] for {{English football updater|IpswichT}} club [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]. Born in England, he plays for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland national team]].
==Career==


An [[Colchester United F.C. Under-23s and Academy|academy product]] of hometown club [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]], he made his professional debut in 2013, going on to score 38 goals in 162 appearances for the club before departing in 2019. After a brief spell at [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], he spent two years at [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] before joining [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] in 2022, where he became a key player, finishing as the top scorer in the [[2023–24 EFL Championship]].
Born in [[Colchester]], Szmodics is a product of the [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] academy, having progressed through the club's youth ranks since the age of seven.<ref name="QA">{{cite web |title=Sammie Szmodics Q&A |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/stedmunds/news/sammie-szmodics-qa-1002327.html |publisher=St. Edmunds Youth FC (Colchester) |accessdate=29 September 2013}}</ref> He made his professional debut for the club during an injury crisis, and having impressed at youth level, manager [[Joe Dunne]] drafted him into the first-team squad. He came on as a substitute for [[Craig Eastmond]] in a 1–1 draw with [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] on 28 September 2013<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol City 1–1 Colchester |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24185211 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=29 September 2013}}</ref> and was then introduced in the 57th minute of the following game as a replacement for [[Jeffrey Monakana]] in the 3–0 home defeat to [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] on 5 October.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colchester 0–3 Wolves |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24349480 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=5 October 2013}}</ref>

Szmodics made his [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] debut in a friendly against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] in March 2024.<ref name="McCann">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68605174|title=Republic of Ireland 0–0 Belgium: Evan Ferguson misses penalty in stalemate|last=McCann|first=Lauren|website=BBC Sport|date=23 March 2024|access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Colchester United===
Szmodics is a product of the [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] [[Colchester United F.C. Under-23s and Academy|Academy]], having progressed through the club's youth ranks since the age of seven.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/stedmunds/news/sammie-szmodics-qa-1002327.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232907/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/stedmunds/news/sammie-szmodics-qa-1002327.html |archive-date=1 February 2014 |title=Sammie Szmodics Q&A |first1=Richard |last1=Myers |publisher=St Edmunds Youth FC (Colchester) |date=31 July 2013|via=Pitchero |access-date=29 September 2013 }}</ref> He was a regular starter and scorer for the under-18 side, which included a goal in Colchester's 3–2 [[FA Youth Cup]] defeat by [[Chelsea F.C. Reserves and Academy|Chelsea]] on 1 December 2012, sweeping in [[Macauley Bonne]]'s cross.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=3 December 2012 |title=Chelsea coach Viveash gives credit to young U's |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/chelsea_coach_viveash_gives_credit_to_young_u_s_1_1727775 |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Ipswich |access-date=7 June 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101442/http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/chelsea_coach_viveash_gives_credit_to_young_u_s_1_1727775 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====2013–14 season====
For Colchester United's [[2013–14 Colchester United F.C. season|2013–14]] pre-season campaign, Szmodics was drafted in to the first-team for their friendly fixtures. He was included in manager [[Joe Dunne]]'s squad for a game at [[A.F.C. Sudbury|AFC Sudbury]] on 12 July 2013, and scored twice in two first-half minutes to hand Colchester a 2–0 lead in their eventual 5–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 July 2013 |title=Colchester United net weekend wins |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/colchester_united_net_weekend_wins_1_2278010 |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Ipswich |access-date=7 June 2015 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807162058/http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/colchester_united_net_weekend_wins_1_2278010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Szmodics was then drafted into the first-team squad during the season while the club were suffering an injury crisis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=9 October 2013 |title=Dunne's appeal to his injured players |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/dunne_s_appeal_to_his_injured_players_1_2857627 |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Ipswich |access-date=7 June 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123108/http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/dunne_s_appeal_to_his_injured_players_1_2857627 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He came on as a substitute for [[Craig Eastmond]] to make his professional debut on 28 September as Colchester drew 1–1 with [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] at [[Ashton Gate Stadium|Ashton Gate]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24185211 |title=Bristol City 1–1 Colchester |date=28 September 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 September 2013 }}</ref>

While appearing in the first-team, Szmodics continued to play for the under-18s. He helped his side to a [[FA Youth Cup]] first round 4–1 win over [[AFC Wimbledon]] on 12 November by scoring the opening goal, which also helped to extend their unbeaten run to 13 wins from 13 league and cup games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=15 November 2013 |title=The U's successful conveyor belt |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/the_u_s_successful_conveyor_belt_1_3004321 |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Ipswich |access-date=7 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=November 2023}}</ref>

Szmodics was shortlisted for the [[Football League Apprentice of the Year]] award in the League One category in January 2014, facing opposition from [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]]'s [[Josh Brownhill]] and [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]]' [[Brendan Galloway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cu-fc.com/news/article/300114-szmodics-apprentice-nomination-1327095.aspx? |title=Sammie Up For FL Award |last=Gregory |first=David |date=30 January 2014 |publisher=Colchester United FC |access-date=30 January 2014 }}</ref> He finished as runner-up to Galloway in the awards held in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/brendan-galloway-named-lfe-apprentice-of-the-year-for-league-1-1872446.aspx |title=Brendan Galloway named LFE Apprentice of the Year for League 1 |date=17 March 2014 |publisher=Football League |access-date=7 June 2015 |archive-date=27 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427111431/http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/brendan-galloway-named-lfe-apprentice-of-the-year-for-league-1-1872446.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

With the Colchester United under-18 side, Szmodics helped to earn the club a league title and cup winning double during the 2013–14 season. He scored a [[hat-trick]] in the [[Football League Youth Alliance#Youth Alliance Cup|Youth Alliance Cup]] final held against [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] at [[Valley Parade]] on 29 April in a 4–2 win for the U's.<ref name="YAC">{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=30 April 2014 |title=League-Cup double for super Colchester United Under-18s |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/league_cup_double_for_super_colchester_united_under_18s_1_3579076?usurv=skip |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Ipswich |access-date=30 April 2014 |archive-date=3 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603042636/http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/league_cup_double_for_super_colchester_united_under_18s_1_3579076?usurv=skip |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Szmodics ended the campaign with seven League One substitute appearances and one [[FA Cup]] substitute appearances to his name.<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2013/2014" />

====2014–15 season====
Szmodics made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute for [[Freddie Sears]] in Colchester's 4–0 away defeat to [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] on 12 August 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28652709 |title=Charlton 4–0 Colchester |date=12 August 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=12 August 2014 }}</ref> He made his first professional start for the club on 30 August, when Colchester were defeated 3–1 by [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] at the [[Colchester Community Stadium]]. Szmodics was replaced by [[Dominic Vose]] after 57 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28906330 |title=Colchester 1–3 Peterborough |date=30 August 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 August 2014 }}</ref>

On 10 October 2014, Szmodics signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension with Colchester until the summer of 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=10 October 2014 |title=Szmodics pens new deal with U's |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/headlines/11528412._/? |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=10 October 2014 }}</ref> He scored his first professional goal for the club on 9 November. After coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for [[Alex Gilbey]] in the U's FA Cup first round tie against [[Gosport Borough F.C.|Gosport Borough]], Szmodics scored Colchester's sixth goal in a 6–3 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29907434 |title=Gosport Borough 3–6 Colchester |date=9 November 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=10 November 2014 }}</ref> He scored his first league goal on Boxing Day 2014 in Colchester's 2–1 home defeat by [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30543581 |title=Colchester 1–2 Gillingham |date=26 December 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 December 2014 }}</ref> Having been confined mostly to substitute appearances, manager Humes said that Szmodics had been "very close" to being a regular starter for the club over the Christmas period, and that the player was "very much in our thoughts, going forward".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=27 December 2014 |title=High praise for Colchester United's Sammie Szmodics, from the boss |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/high_praise_for_colchester_united_s_sammie_szmodics_from_the_boss_1_3899136 |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Ipswich |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929011552/http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/high_praise_for_colchester_united_s_sammie_szmodics_from_the_boss_1_3899136 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Szmodics then broke into the first-team with a string of starts, beginning with a goalless draw with [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]] on 28 December.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |date=2 January 2015 |title=Sammie Szmodics looking forward to a big year at Colchester United |url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/sammie_szmodics_looking_forward_to_a_big_year_at_colchester_united_1_3903245 |newspaper=East Anglian Daily Times |location=Colchester |access-date=8 June 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

After breaking into the first-team and making 35 appearances across the season, as well as scoring five goals,<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2014/2015" /> Szmodics was named as Colchester United 'Young Player of the Year' in May 2015.<ref name="YPOTY">{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=9 May 2015 |title=Eastman wins U's player of the year award for second successive year |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/12940936.Eastman_wins_U_s_player_of_the_year_award_for_second_successive_year/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=24 May 2015 }}</ref>

====2015–16 season: Loan to Braintree Town and return====
After making six appearances in the first team in the early stages of the [[2015–16 Colchester United F.C. season|2015–16 season]], Szmodics was allowed to leave the club on loan in order to gain more first-team experience. He joined [[National League (division)|National League]] side [[Braintree Town F.C.|Braintree Town]] on 30 October 2015 for an initial month-long loan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34682472 |title=Sammie Szmodics: Braintree Town sign Colchester United midfielder |date=30 October 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=1 November 2015 }}</ref> He made a goalscoring debut the following day as his 75th-minute goal earned Braintree a 1–0 win against [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]] at [[Cressing Road]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34624044 |title=Braintree 1–0 Macclesfield |date=31 October 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=1 November 2015 }}</ref> Szmodics was recalled by his parent club on 27 November following manager [[Tony Humes]]' dismissal by Colchester on 26 November.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cu-fc.com/news/article/sammie-szmodics-braintree-colchester-recalled-2822127.aspx? |title=Sammie Recalled |last=Hudson |first=Matt |date=27 November 2015 |publisher=Colchester United FC |access-date=27 November 2015 }}</ref>

A foot injury kept Szmodics out of action for several months, wearing a protective boot and requiring injections in order to avoid an operation across Christmas and the New Year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=23 February 2016 |title=Colchester United hoping Sammie Szmodics can avoid a foot operation after two-month lay-off |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/14295056.Surgery_is__last_option__for_U_s_youngster_Szmodics/? |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=23 February 2016 }}</ref> He was ruled out for the rest of the season in March 2016 after undergoing surgery on his ankle.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11702/10214276/colchester-united-forward-sammie-szmodics-out-for-rest-of-the-season |title=Colchester United forward Sammie Szmodics out for rest of the season |date=21 March 2016 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=9 April 2016 }}</ref> He had made eight appearances for Colchester in addition to his three for Braintree.<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2015/2016" /> Szmodics signed a three-year contract extension with the club on 21 June.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldron |first1=Jonathan |date=21 June 2016 |title=Sammie Szmodics has committed his future to Colchester United |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/14569955.Szmodics_signs_new_three_year_deal_with_the_U_s/? |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=21 June 2016 }}</ref>

====2016–17 season====
Szmodics scored his first goal of the [[2016–17 Colchester United F.C. season|2016–17 season]] on 27 August 2016 in Colchester's 2–0 win at [[Adams Park]] against [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37139452 |title=Wycombe Wanderers 0–2 Colchester United |date=27 August 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 August 2016 }}</ref> His ankle injury resurfaced during the latter stages of 2016, and in January 2017 he was forced to undergo surgery on his troublesome ankle which physio Tony Flynn estimated would keep Szmodics out of action for approximately six weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cu-fc.com/news/article/2016-17/colchester-united-sammie-szmodics-3501100.aspx |title=Surgery For Szmodics |last=Gregory |first=David |date=4 January 2017 |publisher=Colchester United FC |access-date=4 January 2017 }}</ref> He returned to action on 4 March 2017, replacing [[Sean Murray (footballer, born 1993)|Sean Murray]] during Colchester's game against [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]]. Within eight minutes of being introduced, Szmodics scored an equaliser for Colchester to earn a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39086530 |title=Cambridge United 1–1 Colchester United |date=4 March 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 March 2017 }}</ref> Following a challenge on [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] striker [[Chris Dagnall]] during Colchester's 2–0 away defeat on 18 March, it was confirmed that Szmodics had broken his leg and would be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, having scored five goals in 23 games for Colchester.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spurgeon |first=Simon |date=19 March 2017 |title=Another injury blow for Colchester as Szmodics confirms he's broken his leg |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/15166410.Another_injury_blow_for_Colchester_as_Szmodics_confirms_he_s_broken_his_leg/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=21 March 2017 }}</ref>

====2017–18 season====
Szmodics came off the bench to score his first goal of the season and Colchester's only goal on 5 August in their season-opening 3–1 defeat at [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40761075 |title=Accrington Stanley 3–1 Colchester United |date=5 August 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 August 2017 }}</ref> After scoring five goals in five games throughout December, including a brace in a 3–1 win against [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]], Szmodics was nominated for the [[EFL League Two Player of the Month]] award.<ref>{{cite news |last=Spurgeon |first=Simon |date=9 January 2018 |title=Sky Bet League Two monthly award nominations for John McGreal and Sammie Szmodics |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/colchesterunited/15813928.Double_interest_for_U_s_in_monthly_League_Two_awards/ |newspaper=Daily Gazette |location=Colchester |access-date=9 January 2018 }}</ref> His performances during the first half of the season led to speculation that he was to sign for [[Premier League]] side [[A.F.C. Bournemouth|AFC Bournemouth]] for a £1 million fee during the January transfer window.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marston |first1=Carl |title=Colchester United attacker Sammie Szmodics linked with move to Bournemouth |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/colchester-united-attacker-sammie-szmodics-linked-with-move-to-bournemouth-2410310 |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=7 January 2018}}</ref> He was subsequently named League Two Player of the Month on 12 January.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/january/player-of-the-month-sammie-szmodics---colchester-united/ |title=Player of the Month: Sammie Szmodics – Colchester United |date=12 January 2018 |publisher=English Football League |access-date=13 January 2018 |archive-date=12 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112214734/https://www.efl.com/news/2018/january/player-of-the-month-sammie-szmodics---colchester-united/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====2018–19 season====
Szmodics was again Colchester's top scorer for the second successive season with 15 goals, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he was once again linked with a move away from the club.<ref>{{cite news |last=Waldron |first=Jonathan |date=6 May 2019 |title=Colchester United's Sammie Szmodics linked with summer exit |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/17620408.colchester-united-hot-shot-sammie-szmodics-linked-with-departure/ |work=Daily Gazette |access-date=13 May 2019|publisher=Newsquest Media Group}}</ref>

===Bristol City===
On 28 June 2019, Szmodics ended his 16-year association with Colchester United, signing for [[EFL Championship|Championship]] club [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019-06-28/colchester-uniteds-sammie-szmodics-seals-bristol-city-move/ |title=Colchester United's Sammie Szmodics seals Bristol City move |date=28 June 2019 |publisher=ITV News |access-date=2 July 2019|department=Anglia News}}</ref>

===Peterborough United===
After making just four appearances in five months at Bristol City, Szmodics signed for [[EFL League One|League One]] club [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] on a six-month loan deal on 16 January 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theposh.com/news/2020/january/posh-secure-loan-signing-of-szmodics/ |title=Posh Secure Loan Signing Of Szmodics |date=16 January 2020 |publisher=Peterborough United FC|access-date=16 January 2020 }}</ref> He played his first game for Peterborough two days later, a 1–0 defeat at [[AFC Wimbledon]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51073022 |title=AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Peterborough United: Joe Pigott scores winner |date=18 January 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 September 2020 }}</ref> He went on to make a total of 10 appearances during his loan spell, scoring four goals – including a brace against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in a 4–1 win over their promotion rivals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51246300 |title=Ipswich Town 1–4 Peterborough United |date=1 February 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 September 2020 }}</ref>

On 8 September 2020, Szmodics signed permanently for Peterborough.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54073794 |title=Sammie Szmodics: Peterborough United sign Bristol City midfielder |date=8 September 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=9 September 2020 }}</ref> He signed a four-year contract after signing for an "undisclosed fee" believed to be in excess of £1m, with a number of other clubs rumoured to be interested, including [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] and [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/peterborough-united-beat-sunderland-portsmouth-4494608 |title=Peterborough United beat Sunderland and Portsmouth in race for Bristol City's Sam Szmodics |date=8 September 2020 |work=Bristol Post|access-date=9 September 2020|first=Gregor|last=MacGregor|publisher=Reach}}</ref> Szmodics scored 16 goals in all competitions for Peterborough in the 2020–21 season, helping the club win promotion back to the [[EFL Championship|Championship]].

===Blackburn Rovers===
Szmodics joined [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 1 August 2022, signing a three-year deal with an optional extra year, for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62382716|title=Blackburn complete signings of Morton and Szmodics|date=1 August 2022|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sammie signs! |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2022/august/01/sammie-signs-/ |access-date=2 August 2022 |publisher=Blackburn Rovers FC|date=1 August 2022}}</ref> Peterborough had earlier rejected three bids from Blackburn, all in excess of £1m, before a fee was agreed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20578911.latest-blackburn-rovers-interest-sammie-szmodics/|title=Update on Rovers' interest in Peterborough United's Sammie Szmodics|date=26 July 2022|work=Lancashire Telegraph|first=Rich|last=Sharpe|accessdate=5 November 2023|publisher=Newsquest Media Group}}</ref> Blackburn manager [[Jon Dahl Tomasson]] said that Szmodics would be well-suited to the club's intense style of play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2022/august/05/jdt--szmodics-the-perfect-fit/|title=JDT: Szmodics the perfect fit for our system|date=5 August 2022|publisher=Blackburn Rovers FC|access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref> On 6 August 2022, Szmodics scored on his debut for Blackburn in a 3–0 away win against [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62356962|title=Swansea 0–3 Blackburn Rovers|access-date=5 November 2023|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Gareth|last=Vincent|date=6 August 2022}}</ref>

Following a strong start to the [[2023–24 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2023–24 season]], Szmodics was awarded the [[EFL Championship Player of the Month]] for November 2023 having scored six goals in four matches.<ref name="Nov23 POTM">{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/december/08/szmodics-scoops-player-of-the-month-prize-/|title=Szmodics scoops Player of the Month prize!|website=www.rovers.co.uk|date=8 December 2023|access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref> His form throughout the season earned him a place in the [[EFL Awards|EFL Championship Team of the Season]].<ref name="TOTY2324"/> He was also named as Blackburn's Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year at the end of the [[Portman Road|season]].<ref name="POTY2324"/> On the final matchday of the season, on 4 May, he scored a brace in a 2–0 away victory over champions [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], securing Blackburn's continued presence in the Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cd1340vqyd6t |title=Leicester City 0–2 Blackburn Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2024 }}</ref> He also managed to finish the season as the Championship's top scorer with 27 goals in 44 league appearances.<ref name="goldenboot">{{Cite web |title=Sammie Szmodics wins the Sky Bet Championship Golden Boot award |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/may/10/sammie-szmodics-wins-the--sky-bet-championship-golden-boot-award/ |website=EFL Championship |date=10 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

===Ipswich Town===
On 16 August 2024, Szmodics joined newly promoted [[Premier League]] club [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite news|title=Szmodics completes Ipswich switch|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/august/16/szmodics-completes-ipswich-switch/|access-date=16 August 2024|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.|date=16 August 2024}}</ref> He made his Ipswich and Premier League debut one day later, coming on as a second half substitute in a 2–0 loss to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Portman Road]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Liverpool 2–0 Ipswich (Aug 17, 2024) Final Score|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/704280/liverpool-ipswich-town|access-date=2024-08-17|publisher=ESPN|language=en}}</ref> On 24 August, he scored his first Premier League goal for Ipswich in a 4–1 away loss to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Man City 4–1 Ipswich (Aug 24, 2024) Game Analysis|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/704295|access-date=2024-08-24|publisher=ESPN|language=en}}</ref>

==International career==
As well as his country of birth, [[England national football team|England]], Szmodics was also eligible to represent the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] and [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]] through his Irish [[County Longford]]-born grandmother and Hungarian-born grandfather.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40301042.html|title = Sam Szmodics receives first Ireland call-up as Randolph, Robinson, and Connolly ruled out|work=Irish Examiner|date = 28 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0528/1224525-szmodics-gets-ireland-call-as-kenny-hit-by-more-injurie/|title = Szmodics gets the call as Kenny hit by more injuries|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date = 28 May 2021}}</ref>

On 28 May 2021, Szmodics received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland team for the summer friendlies against [[Andorra national football team|Andorra]] and Hungary, following the withdrawal of [[Callum Robinson]] and [[Aaron Connolly (Irish footballer)|Aaron Connolly]] from the initial squad through injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/sam-szmodics-receives-first-call-up-as-three-ruled-out|title = Sam Szmodics receives first call-up as three ruled out|date=28 May 2021|publisher=Football Association of Ireland}}</ref> On 2 June, however, Szmodics was ruled out of the squad after he aggravated an existing shoulder problem in training ahead of the Andorra game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/19692/12323250/sam-szmodics-republic-of-ireland-midfielder-ruled-out-of-andorra-and-hungary-games-with-injury|title = Sam Szmodics: Republic of Ireland midfielder ruled out of Andorra and Hungary games with injury|date=2 June 2021|work=Sky Sports}}</ref>

In October 2023, he was recalled for two [[UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group B|UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying]] games against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] and [[Gibraltar national football team|Gibraltar]],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1009/1409797-szmodics-replaces-connolly-in-ireland-squad/|title=Sammie Szmodics replaces injured Aaron Connolly in Republic of Ireland squad|date=9 October 2023|publisher=RTÉ Sport|accessdate=10 October 2023}}</ref> but withdrew from the squad for personal reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/szmodics-2-6194346-Oct2023/|title=Sammie Szmodics withdraws from Irish squad ahead of Greece clash|first=Gavin|last=Cooney|date=12 October 2023|website=The 42}}</ref>

On 13 March 2024, Hungary manager [[Marco Rossi (footballer, born 1964)|Marco Rossi]] publicly criticised Szmodics for allegedly leaking information to the media about Rossi's contact to attempt to convince him to switch his international allegiance to Hungary ahead of their [[UEFA Euro 2024]] campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2024/03/13/hungary-manager-criticises-sammie-szmodics-with-blackburn-forward-in-ireland-contention/|title=Hungary manager criticises Sammie Szmodics with Blackburn forward in Ireland contention|website=The Irish Times}}</ref> Szmodics disputed Rossi's claims, stating "I have never spoken to anyone from that country. I am fully focused on playing for Ireland."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/ive-sorted-my-passport-for-ireland-years-ago-sammie-szmodics-blasts-back-over-nonsense-hungary-claims/a2088263786.html|title='I've sorted my passport for Ireland years ago' – Sammie Szmodics blasts back over 'nonsense' Hungary claims|date=19 March 2024|website=Irish Independent}}</ref> Szmodics made his debut for Ireland on 23 March in a 0–0 draw against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] at the [[Aviva Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/sammie-szmodics-admits-long-awaited-ireland-debut-is-a-lot-to-take-in/a154843662.html|title=Sammie Szmodics admits long-awaited Ireland debut is 'a lot to take in'|date=23 March 2024|website=Irish Independent}}</ref><ref name="McCann"/>


==Career statistics==
==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|27 November 2013.}}
{{updated|match played 27 December 2024}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| 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|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan=2|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan=2|Other
!colspan=2|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]
|[[2013–14 Colchester United F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2013/2014">{{soccerbase season|72691|2013|access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>
|[[EFL League One|League One]]
|7||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||8||0
|-
|[[2014–15 Colchester United F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2014/2015">{{soccerbase season|72691|2014|access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>
|League One
|31||4||2||1||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance in [[Football League Trophy]]}}||0||35||5
|-
|[[2015–16 Colchester United F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2015/2016">{{soccerbase season|72691|2015|access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>
|League One
|5||0||1||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||8||0
|-
|[[2016–17 Colchester United F.C. season|2016–17]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2016/2017">{{soccerbase season|72691|2016|access-date=30 June 2016}}</ref>
|[[EFL League Two|League Two]]
|19||5||1||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in [[EFL Trophy]]}}||0||23||5
|-
|[[2017–18 Colchester United F.C. season|2017–18]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2017/2018">{{soccerbase season|72691|2017|access-date=10 July 2017}}</ref>
|League Two
|37||12||0||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=EFLT}}||1||40||13
|-
|[[2018–19 Colchester United F.C. season|2018–19]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2018/2019">{{soccerbase season|72691|2018|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|League Two
|44||14||1||0||1||1||3{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||49||15
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|FA Cup
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|Total
!142!!35!!6!!1!!5!!1!!9!!1!!163!!38
|-
|-
|[[Braintree Town F.C.|Braintree Town]] (loan)
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|[[2015–16 National League|2015–16]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2015/2016"/>
|[[National League (division)|National League]]
|3||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||3||2
|-
|-
|valign="centre"|[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]
|[[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]
|[[2013–14 Colchester United F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="Colchester 2013/2014 player appearances">{{cite web
|[[2019–20 Bristol City F.C. season|2019–20]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2019/2020">{{soccerbase season|72691|2019|access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref>
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
| title = Colchester 2013/2014 player appearances
|3||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=612&teamTabs=stats
|-
| publisher = Soccerbase
|[[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (loan)
| accessdate = 29 September 2013}} Select season required via dropdown menu.</ref>
|[[2019–20 Peterborough United F.C. season|2019–20]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2019/2020"/>
|[[Football League One|League One]]
|League One
|6||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||7||0
|10||4||0||0||0||0||0||0||10||4
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]]
|[[2020–21 Peterborough United F.C. season|2020–21]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2020/2021">{{soccerbase season|72691|2020|access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>
|League One
|42||15||1||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=EFLT}}||1||46||16
|-
|[[2021–22 Peterborough United F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2021/2022">{{soccerbase season|72691|2021|access-date=1 January 2023}}</ref>
|Championship
|36||6||3||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||39||7
|-
|[[2022–23 Peterborough United F.C. season|2022–23]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2022/2023">{{soccerbase season|72691|2022|access-date=1 January 2023}}</ref>
|League One
|1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!89!!25!!4!!1!!0!!0!!3!!1!!96!!27
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|[[2022–23 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2022–23]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2022/2023"/>
|Championship
|34||5||4||2||3||0||colspan="2"|—||41||7
|-
|[[2023–24 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2023–24]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2023/2024">{{soccerbase season|72691|2023|access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref>
|Championship
|44||27||3||6||1||0||colspan="2"|—||48||33
|-
|[[2024–25 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2024–25]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2024/2025">{{soccerbase season|72691|2024|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>
|Championship
|1||1||colspan="2"|—||1||2||colspan="2"|—||2||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!79!!33!!7!!8!!5!!2!!colspan="2"|—!!91!!43
|-
|[[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
|[[2024–25 Ipswich Town F.C. season|2024–25]]<ref name="Games played by Sammie Szmodics in 2024/2025"/>
|[[Premier League]]
|16||3||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||3
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!colspan="3"|Career total
!6!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!7!!0
!333!!98!!17!!10!!11!!3!!12!!2!!373!!113
|}
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{{updated|match played 17 November 2024}}

{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]]
|-
|2024||10||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!10!!0
|}

==Honours==
'''Colchester United U18'''
*[[Football League Youth Alliance]] South East: 2013–14<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/26/c1/0,,10794~180518,00.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032331/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/26/c1/0,,10794~180518,00.pdf |archive-date=2 May 2014 |title=Newsletter 34 |publisher=Football League |date=14 April 2014 |access-date=30 April 2014 }}</ref>
*[[Football League Youth Alliance#Youth Alliance Cup|Football League Youth Alliance Cup]]: 2013–14<ref name="YAC"/>

'''Individual'''
*Colchester United Young Player of the Year: 2015<ref name="YPOTY"/>
*[[EFL Championship Player of the Month]]: November 2023<ref name="Nov23 POTM"/>
*[[EFL Awards|EFL Championship Team of the Season]]: [[2023–24 EFL Championship|2023–24]]<ref name="TOTY2324">{{cite news |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/april/14/see-who-made-the-efl-team-of-the-season/ |title=See who made the EFL Team of the Season line-ups |website=EFL |date=14 April 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024}}</ref>
*[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] Player of the Year: [[2023–24 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2023–24]]<ref name="POTY2324">{{cite news |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/april/23/players-honoured-at-end-of-season-awards/ |title=Players honoured at end of season awards |website=Blackburn Rovers FC |date=23 April 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref>
*[[EFL Championship Golden Boot]]: [[2023–24 EFL Championship|2023–24]]<ref name="goldenboot"/>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2020s)#Championship 5|2023–24 Championship]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2024/8/20/pfa-championship-team-of-the-year-2024 |title=PFA Championship Team of the Year |website=PFA |date=20 August 2024 |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{soccerbase|id= 72691 |name=Sammie Szmodics}}


{{Colchester United F.C. squad}}
{{Ipswich Town F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes

| title = Awards
{{Persondata
| bg = gold
| NAME = Szmodics, Samuel Joseph
| fg = navy
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Szmodics, Sammie
| list1 =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = English association footballer
{{Blackburn Rovers F.C. Player of the Year}}
| DATE OF BIRTH = 24 September 1995
{{2023–24 EFL Championship Team of the Season}}
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Colchester]], England
{{2023–24 EFL Championship PFA Team of the Year}}
| DATE OF DEATH =
{{EFL Championship top scorers}}
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Szmodics, Sammie}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Szmodics, Sammie}}
[[Category:1995 births]]
[[Category:1995 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Colchester]]
[[Category:Footballers from Colchester]]
[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Colchester United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Colchester United F.C. players]]
[[Category:The Football League players]]
[[Category:Braintree Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bristol City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Peterborough United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:National League (English football) players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Irish people of Hungarian descent]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:English people of Hungarian descent]]
[[Category:21st-century English sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen]]

Revision as of 18:30, 28 December 2024

Sammie Szmodics
Szmodics with Ipswich Town in 2024
Personal information
Full name Samuel Joseph Szmodics[1]
Date of birth (1995-09-24) 24 September 1995 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Colchester, England
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)[3]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, forward
Team information
Current team
 Ipswich Town
Number 23
Youth career
2002–2013 Colchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2019 Colchester United 142 (35)
2015 → Braintree Town (loan) 3 (2)
2019–2020 Bristol City 3 (0)
2020 → Peterborough United (loan) 10 (4)
2020–2022 Peterborough United 79 (21)
2022–2024 Blackburn Rovers 79 (33)
2024– Ipswich Town 16 (3)
International career‡
2024– Republic of Ireland 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:29, 27 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:46, 17 November 2024 (UTC)

Samuel Joseph Szmodics (/ˈsmɒdɪks/,[4] born 24 September 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Premier League club Ipswich Town. Born in England, he plays for the Republic of Ireland national team.

An academy product of hometown club Colchester United, he made his professional debut in 2013, going on to score 38 goals in 162 appearances for the club before departing in 2019. After a brief spell at Bristol City, he spent two years at Peterborough United before joining Blackburn Rovers in 2022, where he became a key player, finishing as the top scorer in the 2023–24 EFL Championship.

Szmodics made his Republic of Ireland debut in a friendly against Belgium in March 2024.[5]

Club career

Colchester United

Szmodics is a product of the Colchester United Academy, having progressed through the club's youth ranks since the age of seven.[6] He was a regular starter and scorer for the under-18 side, which included a goal in Colchester's 3–2 FA Youth Cup defeat by Chelsea on 1 December 2012, sweeping in Macauley Bonne's cross.[7]

2013–14 season

For Colchester United's 2013–14 pre-season campaign, Szmodics was drafted in to the first-team for their friendly fixtures. He was included in manager Joe Dunne's squad for a game at AFC Sudbury on 12 July 2013, and scored twice in two first-half minutes to hand Colchester a 2–0 lead in their eventual 5–0 win.[8] Szmodics was then drafted into the first-team squad during the season while the club were suffering an injury crisis.[9] He came on as a substitute for Craig Eastmond to make his professional debut on 28 September as Colchester drew 1–1 with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.[10]

While appearing in the first-team, Szmodics continued to play for the under-18s. He helped his side to a FA Youth Cup first round 4–1 win over AFC Wimbledon on 12 November by scoring the opening goal, which also helped to extend their unbeaten run to 13 wins from 13 league and cup games.[11]

Szmodics was shortlisted for the Football League Apprentice of the Year award in the League One category in January 2014, facing opposition from Preston North End's Josh Brownhill and Milton Keynes Dons' Brendan Galloway.[12] He finished as runner-up to Galloway in the awards held in March 2014.[13]

With the Colchester United under-18 side, Szmodics helped to earn the club a league title and cup winning double during the 2013–14 season. He scored a hat-trick in the Youth Alliance Cup final held against Bradford City at Valley Parade on 29 April in a 4–2 win for the U's.[14]

Szmodics ended the campaign with seven League One substitute appearances and one FA Cup substitute appearances to his name.[15]

2014–15 season

Szmodics made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute for Freddie Sears in Colchester's 4–0 away defeat to Charlton Athletic in the League Cup on 12 August 2014.[16] He made his first professional start for the club on 30 August, when Colchester were defeated 3–1 by Peterborough United at the Colchester Community Stadium. Szmodics was replaced by Dominic Vose after 57 minutes.[17]

On 10 October 2014, Szmodics signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension with Colchester until the summer of 2018.[18] He scored his first professional goal for the club on 9 November. After coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for Alex Gilbey in the U's FA Cup first round tie against Gosport Borough, Szmodics scored Colchester's sixth goal in a 6–3 win.[19] He scored his first league goal on Boxing Day 2014 in Colchester's 2–1 home defeat by Gillingham.[20] Having been confined mostly to substitute appearances, manager Humes said that Szmodics had been "very close" to being a regular starter for the club over the Christmas period, and that the player was "very much in our thoughts, going forward".[21] Szmodics then broke into the first-team with a string of starts, beginning with a goalless draw with Crawley Town on 28 December.[22]

After breaking into the first-team and making 35 appearances across the season, as well as scoring five goals,[23] Szmodics was named as Colchester United 'Young Player of the Year' in May 2015.[24]

2015–16 season: Loan to Braintree Town and return

After making six appearances in the first team in the early stages of the 2015–16 season, Szmodics was allowed to leave the club on loan in order to gain more first-team experience. He joined National League side Braintree Town on 30 October 2015 for an initial month-long loan.[25] He made a goalscoring debut the following day as his 75th-minute goal earned Braintree a 1–0 win against Macclesfield Town at Cressing Road.[26] Szmodics was recalled by his parent club on 27 November following manager Tony Humes' dismissal by Colchester on 26 November.[27]

A foot injury kept Szmodics out of action for several months, wearing a protective boot and requiring injections in order to avoid an operation across Christmas and the New Year.[28] He was ruled out for the rest of the season in March 2016 after undergoing surgery on his ankle.[29] He had made eight appearances for Colchester in addition to his three for Braintree.[30] Szmodics signed a three-year contract extension with the club on 21 June.[31]

2016–17 season

Szmodics scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season on 27 August 2016 in Colchester's 2–0 win at Adams Park against Wycombe Wanderers.[32] His ankle injury resurfaced during the latter stages of 2016, and in January 2017 he was forced to undergo surgery on his troublesome ankle which physio Tony Flynn estimated would keep Szmodics out of action for approximately six weeks.[33] He returned to action on 4 March 2017, replacing Sean Murray during Colchester's game against Cambridge United. Within eight minutes of being introduced, Szmodics scored an equaliser for Colchester to earn a 1–1 draw.[34] Following a challenge on Crewe Alexandra striker Chris Dagnall during Colchester's 2–0 away defeat on 18 March, it was confirmed that Szmodics had broken his leg and would be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, having scored five goals in 23 games for Colchester.[35]

2017–18 season

Szmodics came off the bench to score his first goal of the season and Colchester's only goal on 5 August in their season-opening 3–1 defeat at Accrington Stanley.[36] After scoring five goals in five games throughout December, including a brace in a 3–1 win against Exeter City, Szmodics was nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award.[37] His performances during the first half of the season led to speculation that he was to sign for Premier League side AFC Bournemouth for a £1 million fee during the January transfer window.[38] He was subsequently named League Two Player of the Month on 12 January.[39]

2018–19 season

Szmodics was again Colchester's top scorer for the second successive season with 15 goals, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he was once again linked with a move away from the club.[40]

Bristol City

On 28 June 2019, Szmodics ended his 16-year association with Colchester United, signing for Championship club Bristol City for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.[41]

Peterborough United

After making just four appearances in five months at Bristol City, Szmodics signed for League One club Peterborough United on a six-month loan deal on 16 January 2020.[42] He played his first game for Peterborough two days later, a 1–0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon.[43] He went on to make a total of 10 appearances during his loan spell, scoring four goals – including a brace against Ipswich Town in a 4–1 win over their promotion rivals.[44]

On 8 September 2020, Szmodics signed permanently for Peterborough.[45] He signed a four-year contract after signing for an "undisclosed fee" believed to be in excess of £1m, with a number of other clubs rumoured to be interested, including Sunderland and Portsmouth.[46] Szmodics scored 16 goals in all competitions for Peterborough in the 2020–21 season, helping the club win promotion back to the Championship.

Blackburn Rovers

Szmodics joined Blackburn Rovers on 1 August 2022, signing a three-year deal with an optional extra year, for an undisclosed fee.[47][48] Peterborough had earlier rejected three bids from Blackburn, all in excess of £1m, before a fee was agreed.[49] Blackburn manager Jon Dahl Tomasson said that Szmodics would be well-suited to the club's intense style of play.[50] On 6 August 2022, Szmodics scored on his debut for Blackburn in a 3–0 away win against Swansea City.[51]

Following a strong start to the 2023–24 season, Szmodics was awarded the EFL Championship Player of the Month for November 2023 having scored six goals in four matches.[52] His form throughout the season earned him a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Season.[53] He was also named as Blackburn's Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year at the end of the season.[54] On the final matchday of the season, on 4 May, he scored a brace in a 2–0 away victory over champions Leicester City, securing Blackburn's continued presence in the Championship.[55] He also managed to finish the season as the Championship's top scorer with 27 goals in 44 league appearances.[56]

Ipswich Town

On 16 August 2024, Szmodics joined newly promoted Premier League club Ipswich Town on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[57] He made his Ipswich and Premier League debut one day later, coming on as a second half substitute in a 2–0 loss to Liverpool at Portman Road.[58] On 24 August, he scored his first Premier League goal for Ipswich in a 4–1 away loss to Manchester City.[59]

International career

As well as his country of birth, England, Szmodics was also eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland and Hungary through his Irish County Longford-born grandmother and Hungarian-born grandfather.[60][61]

On 28 May 2021, Szmodics received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland team for the summer friendlies against Andorra and Hungary, following the withdrawal of Callum Robinson and Aaron Connolly from the initial squad through injury.[62] On 2 June, however, Szmodics was ruled out of the squad after he aggravated an existing shoulder problem in training ahead of the Andorra game.[63]

In October 2023, he was recalled for two UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying games against Greece and Gibraltar,[64] but withdrew from the squad for personal reasons.[65]

On 13 March 2024, Hungary manager Marco Rossi publicly criticised Szmodics for allegedly leaking information to the media about Rossi's contact to attempt to convince him to switch his international allegiance to Hungary ahead of their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign.[66] Szmodics disputed Rossi's claims, stating "I have never spoken to anyone from that country. I am fully focused on playing for Ireland."[67] Szmodics made his debut for Ireland on 23 March in a 0–0 draw against Belgium at the Aviva Stadium.[68][5]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Colchester United 2013–14[15] League One 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
2014–15[23] League One 31 4 2 1 1 0 1[a] 0 35 5
2015–16[30] League One 5 0 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 8 0
2016–17[69] League Two 19 5 1 0 1 0 2[b] 0 23 5
2017–18[70] League Two 37 12 0 0 1 0 2[b] 1 40 13
2018–19[71] League Two 44 14 1 0 1 1 3[b] 0 49 15
Total 142 35 6 1 5 1 9 1 163 38
Braintree Town (loan) 2015–16[30] National League 3 2 0 0 — 0 0 3 2
Bristol City 2019–20[72] Championship 3 0 0 0 1 0 — 4 0
Peterborough United (loan) 2019–20[72] League One 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 4
Peterborough United 2020–21[73] League One 42 15 1 0 0 0 3[b] 1 46 16
2021–22[74] Championship 36 6 3 1 0 0 — 39 7
2022–23[75] League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 89 25 4 1 0 0 3 1 96 27
Blackburn Rovers 2022–23[75] Championship 34 5 4 2 3 0 — 41 7
2023–24[76] Championship 44 27 3 6 1 0 — 48 33
2024–25[77] Championship 1 1 — 1 2 — 2 3
Total 79 33 7 8 5 2 — 91 43
Ipswich Town 2024–25[77] Premier League 16 3 0 0 — — 16 3
Career total 333 98 17 10 11 3 12 2 373 113
  1. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in EFL Trophy

International

As of match played 17 November 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland
2024 10 0
Total 10 0

Honours

Colchester United U18

Individual

References

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