Lloyd Sam

Lloyd Ekow Sam (born September 27, 1984 in Leeds) is a professional England Association footballer who plays in midfield. He is currently playing for Charlton Athletic F.C..

Personal life

Sam was born in Leeds but Lloyd and his family moved to London two months later. In his first season of youth football for Jets FC, midfielder Lloyd scored five hat-tricks and 23 goals in 25 games. This attracted Charlton scouts’ attention, leading to Lloyd signing School of Excellence forms in 1995.

However, Lloyd’s family’s emigration to Senegal curtailed his involvement in Charlton’s youth set up and it was at the Dakar Academy where he was to nurture his footballing talent as well as track and field and volleyball. Lloyd’s all-round athletic ability is by his list of sporting achievements whilst dvdlvl at Dakar Academy: he holds the West African Schools’ record for the 100m. And the 200m. And 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 4x100m relay and the long jump.

In 1998, Lloyd was asked to attend a trial at Italian giants Empoli , with his older brother Andrew. However, neither was successful and, when Lloyd’s family returned to London in 1998, he was offered trials at both Wimbledon F.C and Arsenal F.C, but instead re-joined Charlton on Academy terms.

His brother, Andrew, currently plays for Dartford F.C..

Career

Sam became a professional in 2003 at the age of 18 but it was two years before he made his debut for Charlton against Crystal Palace F.C. on the final day of the 2004-05 in English football season. Before this, he spent time on loan with Leyton Orient F.C. in the Football League Third Division. He later had loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday F.C. and Southend United F.C. in the Football League Championship.

The 2007-08 in English football season saw Sam received an opportunity to break into Charlton's first-team. He started the season well, scoring his first ever goals against Stockport County F.C. and Coventry City F.C. but was sent-off in October 2007 following a clash with Ian Ashbee of Hull City A.F.C..

Sam has also played for the England national under-20 football team team. He scored once for the national team, against Russia in a match at his home stadium , The Valley (stadium), in 2005.