Bernie Ibini-Isei

Bernie Ibini-Isei

Ibini playing for Central Coast Mariners Youth in 2010
Personal information
Full name Bernie Alpha Ibini-Isei
Date of birth (1992-10-12) 12 October 1992
Place of birth Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 1 12 in)[1]
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current team
Club Brugge
Number 11
Youth career
Blacktown City
2009–2011 Central Coast Mariners
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2013 Central Coast Mariners 61 (15)
2010–2011Blacktown City (loan) 12 (1)
2013–2015 Shanghai Dongya 10 (0)
2013–2014Central Coast Mariners (loan) 16 (6)
2014–2015Sydney FC (loan) 28 (7)
2015– Club Brugge 0 (0)
National team
2011 Australia U-20 6 (1)
2011 Australia U-23 1 (0)
2014– Australia 2 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:12, 26 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 October 2014

Bernie Ibini-Isei (born 12 October 1992), also known simply as Bernie Ibini, is an Australian professional footballer who currently plays for Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League.

Early life

Bernie Ibini-Isei immigrated to Australia from Nigeria when he was a child, and grew up in Sydney's Western suburbs. His passion for football was obvious from a very young age, and at the age of 6 years old he was registered to play for his local club Earlwood Wanderers.

He has a sister, Princess Ibini-Isei, who is also a footballer, playing for Sydney FC in the W-League and the Australian U-20 team.

Playing career

Ibini started playing football for New South Wales Premier League club Blacktown City at youth level. He was immediately recognized as a player with immense potential and was selected to join Westfields Sports High School.

Central Coast Mariners

In 2009 he was signed by the Central Coast Mariners to join their youth team in the A League competition. In 2009 he received the Golden Boot Award in the National Youth League and was quickly promoted to the senior team, where he made his debut on 12 February 2010, in their round 27 clash against Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.[2] Ibini-Isei made his starting debut for the Mariners against the Gold Coast and scored in a 3–1 win. After just his third start for the Central Coast Mariners Ibini-Isei scored the second goal for the Central Coast Mariners against Perth Glory. His speed and skill quickly gained the attention of the Australian under 20 National Team coach to play a key role in the U20 World Cup.

His consistent development and performances earned Bernie a two-year contract extension with the club, and on 1 February 2012 it was announced that he had signed a two-year contract extension with Central Coast Mariners.[3]

Shanghai East Asia

On 4 June 2013, after his superb performances in the 2012/2013 Asian Champions League round of 16 clash against Guangzhou Evergrande, Central Coast Mariners received a record bid for Ibini from Shanghai East Asia FC who were keen to add to their squad list for the Chinese Super League. Three days later his move to newly promoted Chinese Super League side Shanghai East Asia, was complete with Ibini signing a three-year contract.[4] This move made Ibini one of the most expensive under 21 players 21 in Asia. Bernie made an immediate impact in the Chinese Super League with his speed and skill playing as a wide striker. However, in November 2013, due to the unexpected tragic death of his father Ibini gained permission to return to the Australian A League, and previous club Central Coast Mariners on loan on compassionate grounds. The loan move took effect on 8 January 2014 and was until 31 May 2014 after which he was then to return to Shanghai.

Sydney FC

In May 2014 Ibini signed for Sydney FC on loan,[5] making his debut in round 1 of the A League season against Melbourne City. Ibini scored his first goal in the Sydney Derby in a 1-1 draw. In the last 3 rounds of the A league season Ibini scored 3 goals a contender for goal of the season against Perth Glory, a lovely lob over the goalkeeper against Newcastle United and an amazing solo goal against Wellington Phoenix. Although Sydney wanted to keep Ibini, he was recalled by Shanghai on 3 June 2015[6] Ibini played in every single A-League fixture for Sydney during the 2014-15 season.

Club Brugge

Following his release from Sydney, due to his contract ending on 1 May, Ibini missed out on playing against 2014-15 Premier League champions Chelsea in a friendly at ANZ Stadium. It was shortly announced thereafter that Ibini had gained permission from Shanghai East Asia to travel to Belgium for a medical with Club Brugge with Shanghai unlikely to retain him due to their foreign player quota already filled.[7] He signed a 3-year deal with the club on 5 June 2015.[8] It was announced that Ibini would wear the number 11 shirt.

International

Ibini made his debut for the Australian U-20 team in 2011, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 win against Germany U-20.

On 7 March 2011 he was selected to represent the Australia Olympic football team in an Asian Olympic Qualifier match against Iraq.[9]

On 10 October 2014 he made his debut for the Australian senior team, starting in a friendly match against the United Arab Emirates in preparation for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.[10]

Career statistics

As of match played 31 May 2015.
Club Season League Cup Asia Total
Division Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Central Coast Mariners 2009–10A-League 100------100
2010–11 410------410
2011–12 2973---6003573
2012–13 2773---8013574
2013–14 1661---5012162
Sydney FC2014-15 2873200---3073
Total77217000190196218
Shanghai East Asia2013Chinese Super League1000100---1100
Career total11528103001902137218

Honors

Club

Central Coast Mariners:

Individual

A-League Young Player of the Month: November 2011, February 2013

References

External links

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