Since announcing himself to the world on the big stage with four goals that helped Nigeria to a Bronze medal in the 2016 Olympics, Sadiq Umar has struggled to meet the weight of expectations on his broad shoulders. In Rio, Sadiq painted the picture of a young, lanky striker who was just as talented as he was uncoordinated. He either looked like a Rolls Royce or a baby giraffe, no middle ground.

Before the Olympics, Sadiq Umar was already well known in Italy as a prolific goalscorer, 26 goals in 24 appearances for Spezia's youth in the Primavera A drew the attention of AS Roma who signed him on an initial loan deal later turned permanent. He continued his fine form with the Giallorossi, scoring 2 goals in 6 Serie A appearances as an 18-year-old to go with 12 in 9 for Roma's youth team in Primavera and 5 in the UEFA Youth League.

However, that would be the extent of his success in Rome, several loan spells followed and his development was hampered, leading to him going under the radar for some years. Talent like that of Sadiq Umar's could not have stayed hidden for long though, even while in the doldrums, he enjoyed some success in the Eredivisie with NAC Breda and with Partizan Belgrade.

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