- Nationality
Canada- Most Recent Club
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- Former Clubs
- Galatasaray, Hatayspor, Vålerenga, IFK Göteborg, Brighton & Hove Albion
- National Team Appearances
- Canada Senior Mens, Canada U20, Canada U18
- Birthplace
- London, England
- Position
- Left Back
Sam Adekugbe was born in London, England, and raised in Calgary, Canada. Sam’s early love of soccer began with his youth club days at Calgary Foothills. In 2013, he signed a Generation Adidas contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, making his MLS debut that October.
Sam quickly established himself as a talented left back, blending defensive grit with attacking pace. In 2016, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion in England’s Championship on loan, followed by a season with Swedish club IFK Göteborg in 2017.
In 2018, Sam signed with Norwegian side Vålerenga, where he became a mainstay in the Eliteserien, making 95 appearances over three seasons. His growth as a reliable and versatile defender caught the attention of Turkish club Hatayspor, who signed him in 2021. In Turkey, Sam’s reputation soared as he impressed in the Süper Lig, culminating in a high-profile loan to Galatasaray in 2023. With Galatasaray, he contributed to the club’s title-winning campaign, earning his first major professional trophy. That same year, Sam returned to his roots, re-signing with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Sam was part of Canada’s U-18 squad for the 2013 COTIF U-20 tournament. After a successful 2014 campaign with Vancouver, Adekugbe was called up to the U20 squad on November 7. He made his debut for the side against England on November 12 in a 1–1 draw. In January 2015 he participated with Canada in the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Sam received his first call up to Canada’s senior team for two friendlies against Mauritania in September 2013, though he did not feature in either match. He made his debut two years later against Belize on September 8, 2015. In June 2017 Sam was named to Canada’s squad for that year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
On November 16, 2021, during Canada’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, Sam celebrated Cyle Larin’s 52nd-minute goal by diving backward into a pitchside snow bank. The celebration subsequently went viral. He scored his first goal for Canada in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the United States on January 30, 2022. In November 2022, Sam was named to the 2022 FIFA World Cup team for Canada.
In June 2023, Sam was called up to the Canadian squad contesting the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals. On June 19, he was named to the 23-man squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, before withdrawing the day before Canada’s first match.
After returning to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2023, Sam remained an important part of the club’s Canadian core. Although an Achilles injury cut short his 2025 season, he was part of a Whitecaps group that went on to win the club’s first-ever Western Conference Championship, reach its first-ever MLS Cup, and capture a fourth straight Canadian Championship. As of 2026, he remains with Vancouver, continuing a professional career that has combined top-level experience abroad, national-team service, and a lasting commitment to growing the game at home in Canada.
Off the field, Sam Adekugbe continues to make an impact in his community. In 2025, he joined the founding ownership group of Calgary Wild FC, a Canadian professional club, furthering his mission to grow the game in his hometown.
