Former Nigeria Golden Eaglets captain set for Dukla Prague move as Salzburg spell nears end

Nigerian midfielder Samson Tijani is on the brink of completing a move to Czech side Dukla Prague, bringing his four-year spell with Red Bull Salzburg to a close, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 23-year-old former Golden Eaglets star is expected to undergo a medical today in Prague before putting pen to paper on a free transfer to the Czech top-flight club. Dukla Prague, managed by David Holoubek, are set to secure the midfielder’s services ahead of the new season after Tijani’s contract with Salzburg expires at the end of June.

Renowned Nigerian journalist Ojora Babatunde broke the news on social media, even sharing footage of Tijani arriving at Prague’s international airport. “Samson Tijani is expected to undergo a medical this evening, after which the deal is apparently a formality,” Babatunde reported.

Exclusive Video : Tijani Samson is in Prague as he prepares to finalize a move to Dukla Prague.

The midfielder arrived yesterday and is scheduled to undergo medical tests this afternoon, with the deal expected to be completed shortly. pic.twitter.com/3D1LAlAtzg

— Ojora Babatunde (@ojbsports) June 18, 2025

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A rebirth for Nigerian star Samson Tijani?

Tijani, who captained Nigeria at youth level, was signed by Salzburg in 2020 with high hopes but struggled to secure a regular place due to recurring injuries and fierce competition.

Despite making only five first-team appearances for Salzburg, the midfielder featured regularly on loan at the club’s feeder sides Liefering and Hartberg, as well as Austrian Bundesliga outfit WAC.

Tijani's professional tally in Austria includes 44 appearances in the Bundesliga, 16 in the 2. Liga, and five in the ÖFB Cup.

Most recently, Tijani spent the first half of the 2024–25 season on loan at Norwegian side Fredrikstad but was forced to return to Salzburg early due to injury.

Now a free agent, the move to Prague offers a new chapter for the once highly-rated teenager, who announced himself on the international stage with two goals in Nigeria’s 4–2 win over Hungary at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

He later earned a senior cap for Nigeria in a friendly match against Algeria in October 2020.

Tijani was left out of Salzburg's squad for the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, and the young midfielder will be hoping to revive his career in the Czech league under Holoubek’s guidance.