Bassala Sambou (born 15 October 1997) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Neftçi in Azerbaijan Premier League.
Career Sambou was born in Hannover, to Senegalese parents but moved to London aged seven with his family.
Coventry City Sambou played Sunday League football before joining Coventry City as a 15-year-old. He progressed through the youth team and was among six players to be signed for the club from the academy as part of an apprenticeship.
Sambou made his professional debut as a substitute for Coventry City on November 7th, 2015 in a 2–1 FA Cup first round loss to Northampton Town at the Ricoh Arena, coming on to replace Conor Thomas after 58 minutes. During his final season with Coventry, he scored 25 goals across the under-18s and under-21s teams.
Everton On June 3rd, 2016 Sambou signed for side Everton on a three-year deal, being assigned to the under-23 team managed by David Unsworth. Sambou was previously offered a professional contract with Coventry City in February.
Fortuna Sittard On July 23rd, 2019, after turning down a new deal with Everton, Sambou joined Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard on a three-year deal.
On October 5th, 2020, Sambou was loaned out to Danish Superliga club Randers FC for the 2020–21 season with an option to buy.RANDERS FC LEJER BASSALA SAMBOU I FORTUNA SITTARD , randersfc.dk, 5 October 2020
Crewe Alexandra On January 27th, 2022, Sambou signed an 18-month deal to join EFL League One side Crewe Alexandra, making his debut two days later, coming on as a 75th minute substitute for Oliver Finney in a home defeat by Rotherham United. He scored his first Crewe goal in a 2–1 defeat at Milton Keynes Dons on 5 April 2022.
Early the following season, Sambou was sent off after grabbing Theo Vassell by the throat during an off-the-ball incident in the 31st minute of Crewe's 3–0 League Two defeat at Salford City on 13 August 2022. He apologised for his actions after the game, but faced an automatic three-match suspension plus further disciplinary action by Crewe manager Alex Morris.
Oldham Athletic On 17 March 2023, Sambou signed for National League club Oldham Athletic on loan until the end of the season (Sambou had played for Oldham manager David Unsworth at the Everton academy). Sambou scored his first goal for Oldham in a 2–2 draw against Altrincham on 7 April 2023.
Following his return to Crewe, discussions about his future with the club were said to be "ongoing" on 15 May 2023. He left Crewe by mutual consent in June 2023.
Neftçi On February 8, 2025, Sambou moved from Enosis Neon Paralimni FC to Neftçi on a fee of €100 thousand and signed a 1.5 year contract.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCoventry City2015–16League One00100010Fortuna Sittard2019–20Eredivisie22231002532020–21300000302021–22802000100Total3325100383Randers FC (loan)2020–21Danish Superliga2315300284Crewe Alexandra2021–22League One16200001622022–23League Two2702140331Total4322140493Oldham Athletic (loan)2022–23National League92000092Enosis Neon2023-24Cypriot Second Division28210002922024-25Cypriot First Division1833200215Total4654200507Neftçi Baku2024–25Azerbaijan Premier League13311001442025–261872000207Total311031003411Career total185222084020930
Honours Everton U23 Premier League 2: 2016–17, 2018–19 Premier League Cup: 2018–19
Randers Danish Cup: 2020–21
References