One to Watch: Samson Baidoo - The Austrian Rock Reinventing Lens’ Defence

When Kevin Danso left Lens for the Premier League earlier this year, few believed the Sang et Or could find another leader to anchor their back line so quickly. But just a few months into his adventure in Artois, Samson Baidoo has already made himself indispensable — and irresistible — to the fans at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Signed quietly from Red Bull Salzburg for €8m last summer, the 21-year-old Austrian has become one of the revelations of this Ligue 1 season. His rise has been as rapid as it has been impressive: after a strong adaptation period, Baidoo now looks like he’s been part of Pierre Sage’s system for years.

A natural successor

Arriving to fill the void left by one of Lens’ most important modern defenders was no small task. Yet Baidoo has approached the challenge with maturity, intelligence, and quiet confidence.
Against Marseille, his performance epitomised his impact: dominant in duels, clean in possession, and utterly composed under pressure. Whether it was Greenwood, Vaz, or Paixao, none managed to find space or success against the young Austrian. His statistical output told the same story — seven recoveries, five duels won, three shots blocked — numbers worthy of an established international, not a newcomer to Ligue 1.

His teammates are already full of praise. “Honestly he is monstrous,” said fellow Lensois Robin Risser. “He’s enormous. We’re really lucky to have him. I hope he continues to shine with us.”

Calm power and early leadership

Baidoo’s profile is typical of Lens’ smart recruitment model: young, technically assured, and tactically educated in a Red Bull system that values intensity and positional discipline.
Pierre Sage has highlighted what makes him special: “He’s young for this level of emotional maturity. He’s almost complete already, and that’s extraordinary for his age.”

That combination of composure and competitiveness has made Baidoo an ideal fit for Lens’ three-man defence alongside Jonathan Gradit and Malang Sarr, forming one of Ligue 1’s most balanced backlines. While Gradit brings experience and Sarr offers cover, Baidoo delivers presence — the kind of authority that settles the whole team.

From Salzburg to Bollaert, a meteoric rise

Born in Graz and of Ghanaian descent, Baidoo came through Salzburg’s renowned academy before breaking into the first team in 2023. His performances there quickly attracted interest from top clubs as Juventus, Leipzig, and several Premier League sides were all keen — but it was Lens who moved decisively, securing him on a five-year deal running until 2030.

Internationally, Baidoo’s progress has also been swift. He earned his first call-up to the Austrian senior team at just 19, underlining his growing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising central defenders.