Samuel Shashoua Bio
Samuel Shashoua (born 13 May 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder. He came through the youth system at Tottenham Hotspur before moving into senior football in Spain, where he spent several seasons across the second tier with Atlético Baleares, CD Tenerife, and Albacete. His career has since taken him to Major League Soccer with Minnesota United. Standing 170 cm tall, he is recognized for his composure on the ball and his ability to operate between the lines in midfield.
Born in Chelsea, London, Shashoua has represented England at youth level and built his early reputation in the English academy system. After progressing through Tottenham Hotspur’s youth ranks, he transitioned to professional football abroad, gaining experience in Spanish lower divisions before earning a move to the American top flight.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Shashoua was born on 13 May 1999 in Chelsea, London, England. He grew up in the English capital, where he attended Harrow School while developing his football skills. His early exposure to competitive football came through local youth setups, where his technical ability and vision quickly stood out.
Shashoua is of Venezuelan, Spanish, and Iraqi-Jewish descent, and his mother is half-Spanish. This multicultural background gave him eligibility for multiple national teams, and he later expressed interest in applying for a Spanish passport at the end of the 2020-21 season. His upbringing in a football-oriented household helped shape his path toward a professional career.
Path to Soccer
Shashoua joined Tottenham Hotspur’s academy in 2015 at the age of sixteen. The club’s reputation for developing young talent gave him a strong platform to refine his game as an attacking midfielder. He spent three formative years learning the demands of professional football within one of England’s top development systems.
In August 2018, Shashoua made the move to senior football, signing a one-year loan deal with Spanish Segunda División B side CD Atlético Baleares. This transition marked the beginning of his professional journey in Spain, where he would spend the next several years honing his craft in the country’s lower divisions.
Samuel Shashoua Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Shashoua made his senior debut on 9 September 2018, coming on for the final 18 minutes of a 2-1 away loss against SD Ejea. Later that month, he scored his first senior goal by netting the opener in a 2-1 home victory over UB Conquense. He finished the campaign strongly, recording six goals in 33 appearances despite his side missing out on promotion in the play-offs.
His performances at Atlético Baleares caught the attention of clubs in higher divisions. The experience of regular senior football in Spain provided Shashoua with a foundation for the next stage of his career, demonstrating his ability to contribute goals and creativity from midfield.
CD Tenerife Breakthrough (2019-2023)
On 23 August 2019, Shashoua was sold to CD Tenerife in the Segunda División, where he signed a three-year contract. The move represented a step up in quality and competition, though his time at the club was complicated by injuries. He initially struggled to break into the first team and was loaned back to Atlético Baleares in January 2020 after failing to make an appearance due to a lengthy injury layoff.
Shashoua made his professional debut on 19 September 2020, replacing Bruno Wilson late in a 0-2 away loss against AD Alcorcón. On 29 November 2020, he scored his first goal for Tenerife, coming off the bench in a 2-0 win at Albacete Balompié. Despite these moments, injuries continued to hamper his progress, and he spent much of the 2022-23 season on the sidelines before leaving the club in June 2023 when his contract expired.
Albacete Era (2023-2024)
On 24 July 2023, Shashoua signed a two-year deal with Albacete, another Segunda División side. The move gave him an opportunity to reset his career in familiar surroundings. He featured for the club across the 2023-24 campaign, contributing in the Spanish second tier before his deal was cut short.
Minnesota United Era (2024-Present)
On 5 June 2024, Shashoua joined Major League Soccer side Minnesota United on a six-month deal through the end of the season. The move marked his first experience in American soccer and introduced him to a new league and style of play. He featured for the club across the remainder of the campaign.
On 19 July 2025, Shashoua was loaned to USL Championship side Birmingham Legion for further playing time. He was released by Minnesota United following the 2025 season, bringing an end to his time with the MLS club.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an attacking midfielder, Shashoua is known for his technical composure and ability to link play between midfield and attack. His time in Spanish football sharpened his tactical understanding of positional play, while his experience across multiple leagues has given him adaptability in different systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Shashoua’s first senior goal for Atlético Baleares in September 2018 marked the arrival of a promising talent in Spanish lower-division football. His professional debut for Tenerife in September 2020 and subsequent first goal for the club represented key milestones in his journey through the Spanish second tier.
Samuel Shashoua Career Wins
Samuel Shashoua has accumulated meaningful experience across multiple leagues rather than a long list of major trophies. His career is defined by steady progression through Spanish football and a transition to Major League Soccer, where he gained valuable top-flight exposure with Minnesota United.
CD Atlético Baleares Highlights
During his loan spell at Atlético Baleares in 2018-19, Shashoua scored six goals in 33 appearances, establishing himself as a creative force in Segunda División B. He returned to the club on loan in early 2020, making three appearances after recovering from injury as the side once again narrowly missed promotion in the play-offs.
Other Wins & Performances
Shashoua’s time at Tenerife included his first professional goal in November 2020, while his stint at Albacete gave him consistent minutes in the Spanish second tier. His move to Minnesota United in 2024 introduced him to Major League Soccer, and a subsequent loan to Birmingham Legion in 2025 provided further first-team opportunities in the USL Championship.
Samuel Shashoua Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Samuel Shashoua comes from a family with diverse roots, including Venezuelan, Spanish, and Iraqi-Jewish heritage. His mother is half-Spanish, and he has expressed interest in obtaining a Spanish passport to reflect his connection to the country where he spent much of his professional career.
Personal Life
Shashoua’s younger brother, Armando Shashoua, is also a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. The two brothers shared the pitch together at Atlético Baleares in 2020, a moment that reflected the family’s strong footballing tradition.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought changes for Samuel Shashoua, beginning with his loan move from Minnesota United to USL Championship side Birmingham Legion on 19 July 2025. The loan was designed to give him regular playing time after limited opportunities at the MLS level. He featured for Birmingham Legion as the club competed in the American second tier.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 MLS campaign, Shashoua was released by Minnesota United. His time in Major League Soccer, though brief, gave him exposure to a growing league and a different footballing culture. As he evaluates his next steps, his experience across England, Spain, and the United States positions him as a versatile midfielder capable of contributing in multiple environments.