Blackburn Rovers’ Sammie Szmodics (28) has been called up for the Republic of Ireland’s squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland. Here’s everything you need to know about the attacking midfielder
Early career
In his journey from the U10s to the U16s, Szmodics received invites from Premier League side Arsenal but turned it down. He opted for his local side, Colchester United. His reasoning for the decision was his family “were the biggest Colchester United fans and all I wanted to do was play for them”.
After 142 appearances spanning six years and a loan to Braintree Town, he signed for Championship side Bristol City in June 2019 – ending a 16-year commitment with his childhood club.
Playing in the Championship
The midfielder made four appearances in five months for Bristol City. He then signed for Peterborough United on a six-month loan deal making ten appearances and scoring four goals.
Following a successful loan stint, he signed permanently for The Posh for over £1m. He gained a lot of interest from other clubs including former Premier League sides Sunderland and Portsmouth.
After completing his first season at Peterborough he netted himself 16 goals in all competitions, playing a vital part in his side’s promotion to the Championship.
Blackburn Rovers
The former Premier League champions signed Szmodics on a four-year contract in August of 2022 for an undisclosed fee.
On his first appearance for Rovers, he scored in a 3-0 win over Swansea.
Szmodics has been their star player this season. He is currently the Blue & White’s top scorer with 21 goals in 35 appearances this season.
International career
Szmodics was born in Colchester and is eligible to represent England, Hungary and the Republic of Ireland. He has a grandmother from Co Longford and a Hungarian-born grandfather.
He was called up to Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland squad in May 2021 for the friendlies against Andorra and Hungary but was ruled out due to a shoulder problem in training. That robbed him of the chance of facing Hungary and it looks like his ties with the country have been strained further after Hungary manager Marco Rossi criticised Szmodics for revealing details of his approach to the player to represent the country.
In October 2023, he earned another call-up for UEFA Euro qualifiers against Greece and Gibraltar but withdrew due to personal reasons but has now been in included in interim manager John O’Shea’s squad for the upcoming friendlies and will almost certainly see some game-time if fit.