Michael Ihiekwe
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Michael Jude Ihiekwe[1] | ||
Date of birth | 20 November 1992 | ||
Place of birth | Liverpool, England | ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
Position(s) | Central defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team |
Accrington Stanley (on loan from Rotherham United) | ||
Youth career | |||
Liverpool | |||
?–2011 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2011–2014 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | (0) |
2014 | → Cheltenham Town (loan) | 13 | (0) |
2014–2017 | Tranmere Rovers | 112 | (5) |
2017– | Rotherham United | 31 | (1) |
2018– | → Accrington Stanley (loan) | 3 | (0) |
International career | |||
2015 | England C | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:24, 16 September 2018 (UTC) |
Michael Uzoukwu Absalom Jude Ihiekwe (born 20 November 1992) is an English footballer who plays as a central defender for Accrington Stanley (on loan from Rotherham United).
Career
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ihiekwe was a member of his local side, Liverpool's academy system, before he was released during the 2010–11 season.[2]
He soon joined the youth ranks of Wolverhampton Wanderers, with whom he signed a professional contract in 2011.[3] In May 2012, Ihiekwe signed a contract extension after the club activated a one-year options.[4] Although primarily only involved in youth fixtures, he has twice been an unused substitute for Wolves’ first team during the 2013–14 season.[5]
He joined League Two side Cheltenham Town initially on a month-long loan in January 2014.[6] Ihiekwe then made his senior debut on 25 January 2014 in a 1–1 draw at Plymouth Argyle,[7] with his loan then being extended to run until the end of the season, during which he made 13 appearances.[8]
The defender's contract at Wolves expired in summer 2014,[9] and he departed after not making any appearances for the club.
Tranmere Rovers
After being released by Wolves, Ihiekwe signed a two-year deal with League Two side Tranmere Rovers on 18 June 2014.[10] Upon joining the club, Ihiekwe stated he was determined to fight for his place in the first team[11] and was given number five shirt ahead of the new season.[12]
Ihiekwe made his Tranmere Rovers debut in the opening game of the season, a 1–1 draw against York City, where he played 90 minutes.[13] Since his debut, Ihiekwe established himself in the starting eleven in the central defence throughout the season. On 1 November 2014, Ihiekwe scored his first Tranmere Rovers goal, in a 2–2 draw against Stevenage.[14] However, during the season, Ihiekwe suffered ankle injury during the match against Cambridge United after a challenge that saw him stretchered off the field.[15] The injury wasn’t serious[16] and he made his return to the first team weeks later, in a 6–2 FA Cup third round loss against Swansea City.[17] His return was short-lived when he suffered an injury three weeks later that kept him out for weeks.[18] After recovering, Ihiekwe made his return to the first team, coming on as a substitute for Rory Donnelly in the 81st minutes, in a 3–2 loss against Portsmouth on 24 February 2015.[19] He regained his first team place towards the end of the season, but was unable to help the club, as they were relegated to the Conference Premier. Ihiekwe made thirty-eight appearance for the club in his first season at Tranmere Rovers.
The 2015–16 season saw Ihiekwe given shirt number twelve, with Steve Jennings taking over the number five shirt.[20] Ihiekwe started well, scoring his first goal of the season in a 4–1 win over Gateshead.[21] However, Ihiekwe was soon sidelined for months with a hamstring injury.[22] After making his first team return in a 1–1 draw against Halifax Town on 19 December 2015,[23] Ihiekwe scored his second goal of the season seven days later on 26 December 2015, in a 2–1 win over Macclesfield Town.[24] Since his return, Ihielkwe managed to regain his first team place for the whole season, as he made thirty-five appearance, but was unsuccessful to help the club get back to promotion to League Two. After scoring a late winner against Sutton United in 2017 [25] Ihiekwe was quoted as saying "That will kill Lincoln" [26] Ihiekwe in making his statement was a little premature as Lincoln Then went on to secure their next 6 games undefeated and won the National title gaining promotion back to the football League. As the season progress, Ihiekwe began to play in a full-back position, rather than in a central-back, under the management of Gary Brabin.[27] At the end of the 2015–16 season, Ihiekwe was offered a new contract[28] and signed a one-year contract extension on 1 June 2016.[29]
Rotherham United
On 25 May 2017, Rotherham United announced that Ihiekwe had signed a two-year contract with the League One club.[30] As well as scoring during pre season, Ihiekwe scored his first competitive goal for Rotherham in a 5-1 home win against Oldham.[31]
On 24 August 2018, Ihiekwe joined Accrington Stanley on loan until 2 January 2019.[32]
International career
Ihiekwe was born in England and is of Nigerian descent.[33] In September 2015, Ihiekwe was called up by England C.[34]
Career statistics
- As of match played 16 May 2018
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Cheltenham Town (loan) | 2013–14[35] | League Two | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
Tranmere Rovers | 2014–15[36] | League Two | 38 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 46 | 1 |
2015–16[37] | National League | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
2016–17[38] | National League | 39 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9[c] | 1 | 48 | 3 | |
Total | 112 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 130 | 6 | ||
Rotherham United | 2017–18[39] | League One | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[d] | 0 | 35 | 1 |
Career total | 156 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 178 | 7 |
- ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
- ^ Appearance in FA Trophy
- ^ Six appearances in FA Trophy, three in National League play-offs
- ^ Appearances in 2017–18 EFL League One play-offs
References
- ^ "List of players under written contract registered between 01/06/2016 and 30/06/2016" (PDF). The Football Association. p. 33. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Starlet eyes 2010 improvement". Liverpool F.C. 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
{{cite news}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Scholars offered professional deals". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 11 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Jody Craddock offered chance of Wolves deal". Express and Star. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Robins take the Michael". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 10 January 2014.
- ^ "Cheltenham: Wolves' Ihiekwe joins and Vincent stays". BBC Sport. 10 January 2014.
- ^ "Plymouth Argyle 1–1 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 25 January 2014.
- ^ "Ihiekwe and Brundle sign for Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 31 January 2014.
- ^ "Young defenders to leave". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Michael Ihiekwe signs after Wolves departure". BBC Sport. 18 June 2014.
- ^ "Tramere's Michael Ihiekwe has his sights set on a first team place". Liverpool Echo. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "2014–15 Squad Numbers Announced". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Tranmere Rovers 1–1 York City". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Tranmere Rovers 2 – 2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Match Report: Tranmere Rovers 1 Cambridge United 1". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 19 December 2014. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Injury Update". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Tranmere Rovers 2 Swansea City 6 – final whistle report". Liverpool Echo. 3 January 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Ihiekwe Set To Miss Carlisle Game". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Portsmouth 3 – 2 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "2015–16 Squad Numbers". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 17 July 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Gateshead 1 – 4 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Preview: Tranmere v Eastleigh". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 10 October 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Halifax Town 1 – 1 Tranmere Rover". BBC Sport. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Macclesfield Town 1 – 2 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ Garnett, Richard (4 April 2017). "Tranmere 3-2 Sutton United: Dramatic last-gasp winner for Rovers".
- ^ "Rotherham United: Things you might not know about Millers new boy Michael Ihiekwe".
- ^ "Ihiekwe is right back in my plans, says boss Brabin". Liverpool Echo. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Three Offered New Contracts". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Ihiekwe Pens New Deal". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "SIGNING | Ihiekwe becomes Millers first summer signing". Rotherham United Official Site. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
- ^ "Rotherham United 5-1 Oldham Athletic". 23 September 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "READ | Ihiekwe makes Accrington loan switch". Rotherham United F.C. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Ex-Liverpool Defender Ihiekwe Offered New Tranmere Rovers Deal :: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". allnigeriasoccer.com.
- ^ "Rovers Defender Ihiekwe Gets England C Call-Up". The Football Network. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
External links
- Michael Ihiekwe at Soccerbase
- 1992 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Liverpool
- English footballers
- English people of Nigerian descent
- Association football defenders
- Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
- Cheltenham Town F.C. players
- Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
- Rotherham United F.C. players
- Accrington Stanley F.C. players
- English Football League players