Michael Ihiekwe
Ihiekwe in 2017
Personal information
Full name Michael Uzoukwu Absalom Jude Ihiekwe[1]
Date of birth (1992-11-20) 20 November 1992
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Sheffield Wednesday
Number 20
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)
2017–2022 Rotherham United 163 (10)
2018–2019 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 20 (1)
2022– Sheffield Wednesday 30 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:03, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Michael Uzoukwu Absalom Jude Ihiekwe (born 20 November 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Sheffield Wednesday.

Club 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 at centre-back 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 minute, 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 appearances 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 appearances, 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 at centre-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]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 22 June 2022, Ihiekwe would join Sheffield Wednesday following the expiration of his Rotherham United contract.[33] He made his Wednesday debut, starting against Portsmouth on 30 July 2022.[34] Manager Darren Moore confirmed that Ihiekwe has sustained knee ligament damage on 3 December 2022 and would have an extended stay in the recovery room.[35] He returned to the squad on 10 April 2023 against Burton Albion.[36]

International career

Ihiekwe was born in England and is of Nigerian descent.[37] In September 2015, Ihiekwe was called up by England C.[38]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2013–14[39] League Two 130000000130
Tranmere Rovers 2014–15[40] League Two 38140103[lower-alpha 1]0461
2015–16[41] National League 35200001[lower-alpha 2]0362
2016–17[42] National League 39200009[lower-alpha 3]1483
Total 112540101311306
Rotherham United 2017–18[43] League One 31110102[lower-alpha 4]0351
2018–19[44] Championship 1520000—152
2019–20[45] League One 332322000384
2020–21[46] Championship 422101000442
2021–22[47] League One 42331106[lower-alpha 5]1525
Total 1631083508118314
Accrington Stanley (loan) 2018–19[44] League One 20120001[lower-alpha 6]0231
Sheffield Wednesday 2022–23[48] League One 20020303[lower-alpha 7]0280
2023–24[49] Championship 100101000120
Total 290304030390
Career total 3371617310025238921

Honours

Rotherham United

Sheffield Wednesday

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/08/2018 and 31/08/2018". The Football Association. p. 26. Archived from the original on 24 October 2019.
  2. ↑ "Starlet eyes 2010 improvement". Liverpool F.C. 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Scholars offered professional deals". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 11 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Jody Craddock offered chance of Wolves deal". Express and Star. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Robins take the Michael". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 10 January 2014.
  6. ↑ "Cheltenham: Wolves' Ihiekwe joins and Vincent stays". BBC Sport. 10 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle 1–1 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 25 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "Ihiekwe and Brundle sign for Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 31 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Young defenders to leave". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Michael Ihiekwe signs after Wolves departure". BBC Sport. 18 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Tramere's Michael Ihiekwe has his sights set on a first team place". Liverpool Echo. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  12. ↑ "2014–15 Squad Numbers Announced". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers 1–1 York City". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  14. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers 2 – 2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "Injury Update". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers 2 Swansea City 6 – final whistle report". Liverpool Echo. 3 January 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Portsmouth 3 – 2 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  20. ↑ "2015–16 Squad Numbers". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 17 July 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  21. ↑ "Gateshead 1 – 4 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Preview: Tranmere v Eastleigh". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 10 October 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  23. ↑ "Halifax Town 1 – 1 Tranmere Rover". BBC Sport. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  24. ↑ "Macclesfield Town 1 – 2 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  25. ↑ Garnett, Richard (4 April 2017). "Tranmere 3-2 Sutton United: Dramatic last-gasp winner for Rovers".
  26. ↑ "Rotherham United: Things you might not know about Millers new boy Michael Ihiekwe".
  27. ↑ "Ihiekwe is right back in my plans, says boss Brabin". Liverpool Echo. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  28. ↑ "Three Offered New Contracts". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  29. ↑ "Ihiekwe Pens New Deal". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  30. ↑ "SIGNING | Ihiekwe becomes Millers first summer signing". Rotherham United Official Site. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  31. ↑ "Rotherham United 5-1 Oldham Athletic". BBC Sport. 23 September 2017.
  32. ↑ "READ | Ihiekwe makes Accrington loan switch". Rotherham United F.C. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  33. ↑ "Owls secure Michael Ihiekwe move". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  34. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday team news confirmed v Portsmouth as Darren Moore hands three debuts". YorkshireLive. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  35. ↑ "Bottle it and keep it". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  36. ↑ "Michael Ihiekwe starts in predicted Sheffield Wednesday line-up against Bristol Rovers". YorkshireLive. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  37. ↑ "Ex-Liverpool Defender Ihiekwe Offered New Tranmere Rovers Deal :: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". allnigeriasoccer.com.
  38. ↑ "Rovers Defender Ihiekwe Gets England C Call-Up". The Football Network. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  44. 1 2 "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  50. ↑ "Rotherham win to go up and relegate Gillingham". BBC Sport. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  51. ↑ Peddy, Chris (3 April 2022). "Rotherham United 4–2 Sutton United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  52. ↑ Ian Woodcock (29 May 2023). "Barnsley 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  53. ↑ "Jordan Henderson among five Liverpool players in PFA team of the year". Yahoo! Sport. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  54. ↑ "Mohamed Salah and Sam Kerr win PFA player of year awards". BBC Sport. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.