Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has not ruled out the possibility of Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar remaining at the club for the 2025/2026 season, despite widespread speculation linking him with a summer move away.



Sadiq spent the second half of last season on loan at Valencia, where he regained form and confidence. The former Almería forward netted five goals in 16 La Liga appearances, following a difficult first half of the 2024/2025 campaign at Sociedad, where he struggled to secure regular minutes.



As the 2025/2026 season approaches, Sadiq will be eager to sort out his future, either by cementing a place at Sociedad or moving elsewhere in search of consistent game time. With Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resuming in September, the forward knows regular minutes will be crucial to earning a national team recall.




Editorial



We appreciate Real Sociedad's openness regarding Sadiq Umar's future. His successful loan spell at Valencia demonstrated his potential, and it's encouraging to see the club acknowledge his contributions. The decision now rests with new head coach Sergio Francisco, who will assess Sadiq's fit within the team's plans. Given Nigeria's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, securing regular playing time is crucial for Sadiq's international aspirations.



Aperribay praised Sadiq’s professionalism and revealed the forward has been training well with the group that has remained at Zubieta, Real Sociedad’s training base. He stated, "The information I have about Sadiq is that he's trained very well, like the entire group that has stayed in Zubieta."



The final decision regarding Sadiq’s future will rest with new head coach Sergio Francisco. Aperribay added, "We'll have to see how Sergio views Sadiq, and we'll make decisions based on what I've said."




Did You Know?





 
Sadiq Umar began his European career at AS Roma before moving to Almería, where he made a significant impact.


 
During his loan at Valencia, Sadiq scored five goals in 16 La Liga appearances, showcasing his scoring ability.


 
Real Sociedad's training base, Zubieta, is renowned for developing young talents and has been instrumental in nurturing players like Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Ødegaard.


 
The 2025/2026 season marks a pivotal year for Sadiq, as he aims to secure a spot in Real Sociedad's squad and earn a place in Nigeria's World Cup qualifiers.


 
Sadiq's versatility allows him to play across the forward line, making him a valuable asset for both club and country.