Once tipped for stardom after leading Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Samson Tijani is set to begin a fresh chapter in his career — this time in the Czech Republic.

The 23-year-old midfielder has arrived in Prague ahead of a free transfer to Czech First League side Dukla Prague, bringing his four-year stint with Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg to an end. Tijani is expected to undergo his medical today, after which he will sign a deal with the club managed by David Holoubek.

The move marks a significant step for Tijani, who struggled to establish himself at Salzburg due to persistent injuries and stiff competition in midfield. Despite being signed in 2020 with high expectations, the former Golden Eaglets captain managed just five first-team appearances for the Austrian side.

However, he featured regularly on loan at FC Liefering, Hartberg, Wolfsberger AC (WAC), and most recently Fredrikstad FK in Norway. Unfortunately, his time in Norway was cut short by another injury setback, prompting an early return to Salzburg.

Now a free agent, Tijani sees Dukla Prague as a platform to revive the promise that once made him a standout in Nigeria’s youth setup, where he scored twice in a thrilling 4–2 win over Hungary at the 2019 U-17 World Cup. He later made his senior debut for Nigeria in an international friendly against Algeria in 2020.

Ghanaian sports journalist Atanga Emmanuel confirmed the impending move, sharing footage of Tijani’s arrival in Prague and reporting that only the medical remains before the deal is finalized.

With a new environment and fresh ambition, Samson Tijani will be hoping to reignite his career and fulfill the potential that once made him one of Nigeria’s most exciting midfield prospects.