Salomon Sambia (born 7 September 1996), commonly known as Junior Sambia, is a professional footballer who plays for club Clermont. He plays predominantly as a right back, but can also play as a defensive midfielder or winger. Born in France, he represents the Central African Republic national team.
Career
Chamois Niortais Born in Lyon, Sambia joined the youth set-up at Niort from Mâcon in 2013. In the summer of 2014, he was awarded a first-team contract alongside fellow youth midfielder Antoine Batisse. Sambia made his senior debut for Niort on 12 September 2014 in the 1–0 defeat to Dijon at the age of 18 years and 5 days, becoming the youngest player ever to start a professional match for the club. He went on to make five league appearances in total during the 2014–15 season.
Montpellier In August 2017, Sambia joined Montpellier on a one-year loan with an option to buy. The option would eventually be exercised at the end of the 2017–18 season. In May 2022, his exit from Montpellier at the end of the 2021–22 season was confirmed.
Salernitana On 19 July 2022, Sambia signed a four-year contract with Salernitana in Italy.
On 30 August 2024, Sambia was loaned by Empoli.
On 11 July 2025, Sambia's contract was Salernitana was mutually terminated.
International career Born in France, Sambia is of Central African descent. He was called up to the Central African Republic national team for a set of friendlies in June 2026.
Personal life In April 2020, Sambia was hospitalised after becoming ill and unconscious and was treated in intensive care. He tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed into an artificial coma. However, he eventually recovered.
Career statistics
+Appearance and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsChamois Niortais2014–15Ligue 2500000502015–16Ligue 231240003522016–17Ligue 2374401Appearance(s) in the Coupe de la Ligue04242017–18Ligue 230001040Total7668020866Chamois Niortais B2015–16CFA 250——50Montpellier (loan)2017–18Ligue 12812141343Montpellier2018–19Ligue 130010103202019–20Ligue 117130202212020–21Ligue 136150—4112021–22Ligue 130130—331Total1414141711626Montpellier B2017–18National 310——102018–19National 330——302019–20National 231——3171——71Salernitana2022–23Serie A22000002202023–24Serie A1812000201Total4012000421Empoli2024–25Serie A17050—220Career total286122919132414
References
External links
Junior Sambia at the U.S. Salernitana 1919 website