He was part of a footballing family, with three brothers (Efe, Akpo and Steve) all playing in league and non-league football through the 1990s and 2000s.

Sam Sodje signed for Brentford back in 2004 after impressing for Kent club Margate, where he had transferred to from Stevenage.

The centre-back, who was never the tallest, was extremely athletic, however, and had a gigantic leap on him, winning the majority of his aerial battles.

Sam Sodje in action for Brentford. Credit: Action Images / Michael Regan

In total, Sodje played 100 times for the Bees in all competitions inside two years. He scored 14 times - a fantastic return for a defender.

His debut was one to forget, as Brentford were beaten 4-1 at Bristol City, but it got better as the Bees would beat Bournemouth in their next game before going on a seven-game unbeaten run.

The first goal came in just his third apperances for the club, grabbing an equaliser and earning a point down at Torquay United in a 2-2 draw. He would go on to score another seven times in his first season.

Sam Sodje (right) Credit: Action Images / Tony O'Brien Livepic

In 2006, Reading came in for him and paid £350,000. However, he played just eight times for the Royals in three years and would end up going out on loan to the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Charlton, Watford and Leeds.

Charlton snapped him up on a free after his release and he would do well at The Valley, playing 29 times and scoring four times.

Sodje came towards the end of his career with spells at Notts County and Portsmouth, ending his playing days on the south coast in 2013.

Sam Sodje

What memories do you have of Sodje at Brentford? Is he one of the club's best defenders?

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