Izzy Iriekpen
Encyclopedia
Izzy Iriekpen is a retired English
footballer who played as a defender
as a trainee in August 1998 and was part of West Ham's Youth Cup
winning team of 1999
that included the likes of Michael Carrick
and Joe Cole
. Injuries disrupted his seasons with West Ham as he twice broke down with cruciate ligament problems. He was loaned out to Leyton Orient
and Cambridge United
in 2002-03, making 21 league and cup appearances and scoring three goals. Despite being viewed as a promising prospect, he was released in June 2003 without playing a single senior game for the Hammers.
on a free transfer in August 2003, signing an 18-month contract in November 2003. 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 2 in May 2005. He signed a further two-year contract in May 2005, tying him to the club until 2007. 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. He had made 118 league and cup appearances for the club scoring five goals when he was dropped to the bench and fined following his arrest outside a Swansea nightclub in November 2006. Frustrated with the lack of games and with his contract ending at the end of the 2006-07 season, Iriekpen asked for a transfer in January 2007 which the Swans accepted, but withdrew his request the following month after returning to the side. At the end of the season, Iriekpen rejected an offer by Swansea of a one-year contract, describing it as "an insult", and left the club. He had made a total of 137 league and cup appearances for Swansea, scoring eight goals.
on 19 June 2007, with the option of a third year.
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.
Izzy parted company with Scunthorpe on 16 January 2009 having his contract terminated by mutual consent.
, Bristol City
manager, confirmed Iriekpen was on trial at the west country club with a view to signing a permanent deal. Iriekpen was due to sign for Hamilton Academicals however he turned down this move in order to train with Bristol City. On 29 January 2009 joined Bristol City until the end of the 2008-2009 season.
Iriekpen was released by Bristol City on 1 July 2009.
Swansea
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who played as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
West Ham United
Iriekpen joined West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
as a trainee in August 1998 and was part of West Ham's Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
winning team of 1999
FA Youth Cup Final Squads
Squads for the finals of the FA Youth Cup.Note: 1–11 line-ups refer to the first leg. Any players brought in for the second leg are listed among the substitutes.-1999–2000: Arsenal vs Coventry City :...
that included the likes of Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011...
and Joe Cole
Joe Cole
Joseph John "Joe" Cole is an English footballer who plays for Lille, on loan from Liverpool, and the England national football team as midfielder. He started his career with where he played more than 100 games during five years, until he left for Chelsea in 2003...
. Injuries disrupted his seasons with West Ham as he twice broke down with cruciate ligament problems. He was loaned out to Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
and Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
in 2002-03, making 21 league and cup appearances and scoring three goals. Despite being viewed as a promising prospect, he was released in June 2003 without playing a single senior game for the Hammers.
Swansea City
Iriekpen joined Swansea CitySwansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
on a free transfer in August 2003, signing an 18-month contract in November 2003. 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 2 in May 2005. He signed a further two-year contract in May 2005, tying him to the club until 2007. A serious knee injury sustained during a match against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in February 2006, which saw Iriekpen stretchered off and needing an operation, ruled him out for the rest of the 2005-06 season. He had made 118 league and cup appearances for the club scoring five goals when he was dropped to the bench and fined following his arrest outside a Swansea nightclub in November 2006. Frustrated with the lack of games and with his contract ending at the end of the 2006-07 season, Iriekpen asked for a transfer in January 2007 which the Swans accepted, but withdrew his request the following month after returning to the side. At the end of the season, Iriekpen rejected an offer by Swansea of a one-year contract, describing it as "an insult", and left the club. He had made a total of 137 league and cup appearances for Swansea, scoring eight goals.
Scunthorpe United
Iriekpen signed a two-year contract with Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
on 19 June 2007, with the option of a third year.
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.
Izzy parted company with Scunthorpe on 16 January 2009 having his contract terminated by mutual consent.
Bristol City
On 26 January Gary JohnsonGary Johnson (footballer)
Gary Johnson is an English football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Npower League Two's Northampton Town....
, Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
manager, confirmed Iriekpen was on trial at the west country club with a view to signing a permanent deal. Iriekpen was due to sign for Hamilton Academicals however he turned down this move in order to train with Bristol City. On 29 January 2009 joined Bristol City until the end of the 2008-2009 season.
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.Chicago Fire
In February 2010, after unsuccessful spells with American, Canadian and Cuban clubs, Iriekpen joined up with Chicago Fire on a two-week trial basis and played in couple of friendlies, but on 23 February 2010, Chicago trimmed their roster and decided not to offer Iriekpen a deal.Honours
West Ham United:- FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
: 1999
Swansea
- League Two Promotion2004–05 Football League TwoThe 2004–05 Football League Two season was the first season since the Football League Third Division was renamed League Two, following a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola. The league was made up of eighteen teams from the Third Division who were neither promoted or relegated, the four relegated...
: 2004-05 - FAW Premier CupFAW Premier CupThe FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
: 2004-05 - LDV Vans Trophy: 2005-06
External links
- Izzy Iriekpen player profile at scunthorpe-united.co.uk
- Izzy Iriekpen player profile at swanseacity.net