Rangers flop Umar Sadiq enjoys dream Real Sociedad debut by netting equaliser in crunch clash with La Liga giants
RANGERS flop Umar Sadiq's stock just keeps on rising.
Just days after completing a stunning £17million move from Almeria to Real Sociedad, the big striker delivered on his debut.
Sadiq, now 25, has seen a remarkable upturn in his fortunes following his dismal Gers loan spell in 2018.
He was snapped up on a season-long loan deal from Roma by then-Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard.
However, the Nigeria international's time in Glasgow was less than successful, and the loan was terminated after just four months.
He featured just four times for the Light Blues, and is most famously remembered for taking a dive in a League Cup semi final against Aberdeen.
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The 1-0 Hampden defeat to the Dons was the only game Sadiq started for Rangers and he was out the exit door soon after.
After Rangers, Sadiq had a spell on loan at Perugia but it was the following season with Partizan Belgrade where he really began to make his mark.
He found his shooting boots and fired 17 goals for the Serbian side, form that earned him a switch to Spain with Almeria a year later.
Sadiq enjoyed two prolific seasons in the Spanish second tier, and helped fire the club back to La Liga as champions last season.
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After 22 goals in the 2020/21 campaign, he fired another 19 last season as he began to capture the attention of some huge clubs.
His scintillating form saw him linked with some of Europe's biggest sides during the summer.
Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla were just some of the names linked with the major Ibrox flop.
He remained at Almeria by the start of the season, and continued his excellent form with two goals in his first three La Liga games.
Sadiq finally earned his big move on transfer deadline day, making the switch to Real Sociedad.
And he's hit the ground running, too, with a goal against the giants of Atletico Madrid.
He was brought on at half time with Sociedad trailing to an early Alvaro Morata strike.
Just nine minutes later, the towering striker was being picked out at the back post to crash a header into the back of Jan Oblak's net.
1-1 was how it finished but Sadiq's strike earning his new side a solid point against Diego Simeone's star-studded outfit.
The big tests keep on coming for the striker, with Sociedad in Europa League action later this week.
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First up for the San Sebastian-based side is a trip to Old Trafford to take on Erik Ten Hag's in-form Manchester United.
Sadiq previously lined up against the Red Devils three years ago when Partizan faced the Premier League giants in the same competition.
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