Izzy Iriekpen
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ezomo Iriekpen[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 14 May 1982[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Newham, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–2003 | West Ham United | 0 | (0) |
| 2002 | → Leyton Orient (loan) | 5 | (1) |
| 2003 | → Cambridge United (loan) | 13 | (1) |
| 2003–2007 | Swansea City | 123 | (7) |
| 2007–2009 | Scunthorpe United | 33 | (5) |
| 2009 | Bristol City | 9 | (0) |
| 2009 | Hamilton Academical | 2 | (0) |
| Total | 185 | (14) | |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:26, 8 March 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Ezomo "Izzy" Iriekpen (born 14 May 1982) is an English former footballer who played as a defender.
Club career
West Ham United
Born in Newham, London,[1] Iriekpen joined West Ham United as a trainee in August 1998[2] and was part of West Ham's Youth Cup winning team of 1999 that included the likes of Michael Carrick and Joe Cole.[3] Injuries disrupted his seasons with West Ham as he twice broke down with cruciate ligament problems. He took loan periods with Leyton Orient and Cambridge United in 2002–03,[2][4] making 21 league and cup appearances and scoring three goals.[2] Despite being viewed as a promising prospect, he was released in June 2003 without playing a single senior game for the Hammers because of injury.[2]
Swansea City
Iriekpen joined Swansea City on a free transfer in August 2003, signing an 18-month contract in November 2003.[5] An ankle injury requiring surgery in July 2004 meant that he missed pre-season training but despite this, he helped Swansea to automatic promotion from League Two in May 2005.[6][7] He signed a further two-year contract in May 2005, tying him to the club until 2007.[8] A serious knee injury sustained during a match against Nottingham Forest in February 2006, which saw Iriekpen stretchered off and needing an operation, ruled him out for the rest of the 2005–06 season.[9] At the end of the 2007 season, Iriekpen left Swansea by mutual consent having made a total of 137 league and cup appearances for Swansea, scoring eight goals.[2]
Scunthorpe United
Iriekpen signed a two-year contract with Scunthorpe United on 19 June 2007, with the option of a third year.[10] He scored on his debut against Charlton Athletic. He was also given captaincy of the team for the 2008/09 season. On 30 December, Sky Sports reported Iriekpen asked to be placed on the transfer list and published a statement from the former Captain about his future plans.[11]
Izzy parted company with Scunthorpe on 16 January 2009 to look at an opportunity with Bristol City.
Bristol City
On 26 January Gary Johnson, Bristol City manager, confirmed Iriekpen was on trial at the west country club with a view to signing a permanent deal. Iriekpen had been due to sign for Hamilton Academicals however he turned down this move to train with Bristol City. On 29 January 2009 joined Bristol City until the end of the 2008–2009 season.[12] Iriekpen was released by Bristol City on 1 July 2009.
Hamilton Academical
On 26 July 2009, Iriekpen signed a two-year contract with Hamilton Academical, but left due to family reasons on 29 August.[13][14]
After Professional Football
Iriekpen was forced into retirement because of injury in 2009. Since then he has worked with youngsters to develop their footballing skills and ensure they are mentally prepared for the challenges of professional football.
Honours
- West Ham United
- FA Youth Cup: 1999
- Swansea
- League Two Promotion: 2004–05[15]
- Football League Trophy: 2005–06
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Ezomo Iriekpen". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
- ↑ "The class of '99". TheFA.com. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
- ↑ "Iriekpen stays at Cambridge". BBC Sport. 13 March 2003. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
- ↑ "Iriekpen signs new deal". BBC Sport. 26 November 2003. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
- ↑ "Injury sidelines Iriekpen". BBC Sport. 12 July 2004. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
- ↑ "Iriekpen secures new Swans deal". BBC Sport. 7 May 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
- ↑ "Bury 0–1 Swansea". BBC Sport. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
- ↑ "Swansea hit by double injury blow". BBC Sport. 17 February 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
- ↑ "Scunthorpe sign defender Iriekpen". BBC Sport. 20 June 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
- ↑ "Iriekpen Leaving Scunthorpe". Sky Sports. 30 December 2008. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
- ↑ "Sky Sports, Football, Championship News, Robins sign Iriekpen". www.skysports.com. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
- ↑ "Iriekpen arrives at Accies". Sky Sports. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
- ↑ "Iriekpen Departs". Hamilton Academical FC. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
- ↑ "Iriekpen Makes Significant Contribution to Promotion". Swanseacity.net. 1 May 2008.