Former Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani has joined Slovakian club FK Železiarne Podbrezová on loan for the 2026/27 season.

The Nigerian midfielder linked up with Podbrezová from Czech outfit Dukla Prague.

The agreement also includes an option for the Slovakian club to sign Tijani permanently on a two-year deal.

Podbrezová general manager Miroslav Poliaček expressed delight with the arrival of the 23-year-old, highlighting the qualities he is expected to bring to the team.

“He is a player of ideal football age and represents a different typology than what we have had in the squad so far.

“Samson is also part of the wider Nigerian national team, which says it all. I believe that he will fully show his qualities on the pitch and help the team. I wish him the best of luck with us.”

Tijani joined Dukla Prague on a free transfer in June 2025 following his departure from Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg.

The midfielder quickly established himself as an important member of the Dukla squad, making 26 appearances in the Czech top flight.

Tijani rose to prominence after captaining Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil.

He has since progressed to the senior national team and was part of the Super Eagles squad for the 2026 Unity Cup.

Tijani featured in Nigeria’s matches against Zimbabwe and Jamaica at the competition.

The midfielder has earned three senior international caps for the three-time African champions.

Falconets head coach Moses Aduku said his players are determined to make a big impact at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Nigeria have qualified for every edition of the biennial competition and will once again be looking to challenge for honours on the global stage.

Aduku’s side have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and debutants New Caledonia.

The Falconets will begin their campaign against Spain at the Arena Sosnowiec on Monday.

Aduku stated that the two-time runners-up are determined to go far in the competition and make this year’s appearance a memorable one.

“We are very prepared. Nigeria has been [here] since the inception of the competition as qualifiers, but this time we want to make a difference,” Aduku told FIFA.

“We respect all the teams, they are all good teams. But we are here for business. We will take one game at a time and I believe that we will come out from the group.

“The players know that if they do very well, it is a good one for them to cross into the senior national team, so the girls are taking it very seriously.”

The Falconets head into the competition in encouraging form following impressive results in their warm-up matches.

They defeated hosts Poland 1-0 before battling to a 1-1 draw against Korea Republic in their final preparatory game.

Aduku believes a strong showing at the tournament would bring joy to football-loving Nigerians back home.

“If we do well, it would mean a great thing for Nigeria. Nigerians would be very happy with the team,” he added.

“The players are aware of that, so everybody is working very hard to see that we succeed.”

David Beckham said Lionel Messi’s “legacy will live forever” after the Argentina legend announced his retirement from international football.

Messi on Monday revealed he had called time on his remarkable career with Argentina after 207 caps and 125 goals.

The 39-year-old won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and his last game for his country was Argentina’s World Cup final defeat against Spain in July.

Messi’s brilliance for Argentina and Barcelona made him one of the world’s greatest ever players.

Former England captain Beckham has had a close-up view of Messi’s career as an opponent and now as co-owner of the forward’s current side Inter Miami.

“This is the moment we get to look back on and realise how grateful we were to witness the greatness of a young kid with a dream,” Beckham wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

“Leo, you have been a credit to yourself, your family, your friends and your country. Leading by example and creating inspiration for millions of children not just in Argentina but around the whole world.

“Leo, you delivered the greatest gift to your country and, for that, your legacy will live forever. Congratulations on all you achieved for Argentina.”