Almeria’s Umar Sadiq one goal, three appearances away from Partizan payday

The Nigerian striker has been a joy to watch for fans of La Union and his compatriots back home, but it has emerged that there is jubilation among his former employees in his excellent performances

Umar Sadiq scored his second league goal of the season to help Almeria return to winning ways with a fine 2-0 victory over Malaga on Saturday.

The Nigerian star kicked his season off in style when he found the back of the net in the Rojiblancos’ 1-3 win at Cartagena on the opening weekend.

But he fired blanks in the subsequent two matches, including the 2-1 defeat away to Amorebieta on August 29.

However, the 24-year-old was back in his element at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos when he pounced on a Sergio Akieme pass to fire the home side in front minutes after the halftime break.

That strike was his 24th goal in the colours of Almeria, having netted 20 league goals last term and another two in the Copa del Rey.

Almeria, who paid Partizan Belgrade €6 million to sign Sadiq in 2020, are a goal away from sending another €500,000 to the Serbian side.

According to Naslovi, embedded in the contract that took the Nigerian forward to Spain is a €500,000 bonus to be paid to Partizan when he hits 25 goals and another €500,000 when he makes 50 appearances.

Sadiq has featured in 47 competitive games for La Union, which means another three appearances will see another cheque issued in Partizan’s name.

Sadiq, it would be recalled, attracted a multimillion euros bid from Getafe on the last day of the summer transfer window, which Almeria rejected.