Introduction
Sam Nicholson (born 20 January 1995) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.
Career
Heart of Midlothian
Nicholson attended Penicuik High School in Midlothian and grew up supporting Heart of Midlothian. He joined Hearts aged 12, progressing through their youth teams until on 31 August 2013, he made his senior debut for the club, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute in a Scottish Premiership match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, replacing Jamie Walker in a 2–0 defeat. His first senior goal for the side came on 18 January 2014, helping Hearts come from 3–1 down at McDiarmid Park scoring in the 89th minute to help Hearts earn a point in a 3–3 draw against St Johnstone.
On 16 June 2014, Nicholson signed a new three-year contract extending his stay until the summer of 2017, following the club's relegation to the Scottish Championship.
Nicholson began the 2014–15 season brightly, setting up a goal for Osman Sow at Ibrox in stoppage time. He followed this impressive start by scoring his first goal of the season against Hibs in the Edinburgh Derby; a fine solo effort after he nutmegged Scott Robertson and smashed a left-footed drive beyond the keeper.
Minnesota United
On 28 June 2017, it was confirmed that Nicholson agreed to a contract with MLS side Minnesota United FC, and would be eligible to join the team on 10 July 2017.
Colorado Rapids
Nicholson was traded from Minnesota to Colorado Rapids on 1 May 2018. Colorado also received an International Roster slot. Minnesota received Eric Miller and $50,000 of General Allocation Money in return.
Career statistics
- As of 6 October 2019
| Club | Season | League | Domestic Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Heart of Midlothian | 2012–13 | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013–14 | Scottish Premiership | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 26 | 2 | |||
| 2014–15 | Scottish Championship | 29 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | 31 | 5 | ||
| 2015–16 | Scottish Premiership | 36 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | – | – | 43 | 5 | |||
| 2016–17 | Scottish Premiership | 19 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 27 | 3 | ||
| Total | 109 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 127 | 15 | ||
| Minnesota United | 2017 | MLS | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 12 | 1 | |||
| 2018 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 8 | 1 | |||||
| Total | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 | ||
| Colorado Rapids | 2018 | MLS | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 20 | 2 | ||
| 2019 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 46 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 4 | ||
| Career total | 175 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 195 | 21 | ||
Honours
Heart of Midlothian
- Scottish Championship: 2014–15