Craig Samson

Craig Samson

Samson playing for St Mirren
Personal information
Full name Craig Ian Samson[1]
Date of birth (1984-04-01) 1 April 1984
Place of birth Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
Motherwell
Number 13
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2005 Kilmarnock 1 (0)
2004Queen of the South (loan) 12 (0)
2005St Johnstone (loan) 12 (0)
2005–2006 Dundee United 8 (0)
2006–2007 Ross County 29 (0)
2007–2008 Dundee 30 (0)
2008–2009 Hereford United 11 (0)
2009–2010 Ayr United 32 (0)
2010–2013 St Mirren 87 (0)
2013–2015 Kilmarnock 73 (0)
2015– Motherwell 1 (0)
National team
2004–2005 Scotland U21 6 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 03:32, 1 May 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14:44, 31 March 2013 (UTC)

Craig Ian Samson (born 1 April 1984 in Irvine, Scotland) is a Scottish footballer, who currently plays for Motherwell. Samson is a former Scotland under-21 internationalist, having made six appearances between 2004 and 2005.

He began his career with Kilmarnock, but made only one league appearance and spent time on loan to Queen of the South and St Johnstone before leaving the club in 2005. He then spent a season each with Dundee United, Ross County, Dundee, Hereford United and Ayr United. In 2010, Samson joined St Mirren, where he played for three years and won the Scottish League Cup in 2013. He rejoined his first club, Kilmarnock, in May 2013. Samson left Kilmarnock in August 2015 and subsequently signed for Motherwell.

Career

Early career

Samson began his career with Kilmarnock and made his senior debut in early 2004 in a Scottish Premier League match away to Aberdeen. That turned out to be his only appearance for the club and he had spells on loan at Queen of the South and St Johnstone before leaving in 2005. Samson then had a season each at Dundee United,[2] Ross County[3] and Dundee before moving to England with Hereford in July 2008.[4] Samson left the English club by "mutual consent" in April 2009.[5]

On 7 July 2009, Samson signed with newly promoted Scottish Division One club Ayr United.[5]

St Mirren

On 13 July 2010, Samson signed with Scottish Premier League side St Mirren.[6] After the departure of goalkeeper Paul Gallacher, Samson was made first choice goalkeeper for St Mirren for the 2011–12 season. Samson soon became a fans favourite for his willingness to dribble the ball out of his goal and for his incredible flying saves, after seven early season shut-outs, Samson's form was rewarded with a full international call up on 6 November 2011.

At the end of season 2011–12, Samson had two of his saves nominated for 'SPL Save of the Season', one being a stunning reflex to stop Sone Aluko. Outside the Old Firm, Samson and Motherwell 'keeper Darren Randolph kept the most clean sheets in the division, despite St Mirren finishing 8th in the table.

Kilmarnock

After rejecting a new contract offer by St Mirren, 29-year-old Samson signed a two-year deal with Kilmarnock.[7] On 6 August 2015, Samson left Kilmarnock, agreeing a release from his contract having lost his first team place to new signing Jamie MacDonald.[8]

Motherwell

In September 2015, Samson signed a contract with Motherwell.[9]

International career

On 2 June 2015, Samson was called up to the senior Scotland squad by manager Gordon Strachan.[10]

Honours

St Mirren

Scottish League Cup (1): 2012–13

References

  1. The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-95485-561-1.
  2. "Samson wins a Tannadice contract". BBC Sport. 29 July 2005.
  3. "Ross County make double signing". BBC Sport. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  4. "Bulls snap up keeper". Sky Sports. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  5. 1 2 Ayr United sign keeper Craig Samson - Ayrshire Post
  6. "St Mirren sign Craig Samson as Mark Howard replacement". BBC Sport. 13 July 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  7. Kilmarnock return is best option for goalkeeper Craig Samson - BBC Sport
  8. "Kilmarnock and Craig Samson agree to part ways". BBC Sport. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  9. "Motherwell sign up goalkeeper Craig Samson". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  10. "Scotland: Craig Samson replaces Scott Bain in squad". BBC Sport. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.

External links

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