Michael Uzoukwu Absalom Jude Ihiekwe (born 20 November 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
![]() Ihiekwe in 2017 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Michael Uzoukwu Absalom Jude Ihiekwe[1] | ||
Date of birth | 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 | 46 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:53, 27 August 2024 (UTC) |
Club career
editWolverhampton Wanderers
editIhiekwe 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
editAfter 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
editOn 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] Whilst at Rotherham, Ihiekwe met his distant relative Josh 'Skully' Rimmer.
Sheffield Wednesday
editOn 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] He scored his first goal in Wednesday colours on 9 April 2024 against Norwich City, heading in from a corner.[37]
International career
editIhiekwe was born in England and is of Nigerian descent.[38] In September 2015, Ihiekwe was called up by England C.[39]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 27 August 2024
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[40] | League Two | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
Tranmere Rovers | 2014–15[41] | League Two | 38 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 46 | 1 |
2015–16[42] | National League | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
2016–17[43] | 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[44] | League One | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[d] | 0 | 35 | 1 |
2018–19[45] | Championship | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 2 | ||
2019–20[46] | League One | 33 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 4 | |
2020–21[47] | Championship | 42 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 2 | |
2021–22[48] | League One | 42 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[e] | 1 | 52 | 5 | |
Total | 163 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 183 | 14 | ||
Accrington Stanley (loan) | 2018–19[45] | League One | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 23 | 1 |
Sheffield Wednesday | 2022–23[49] | League One | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | 28 | 0 |
2023–24[50] | Championship | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | |
2024–25[51] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 46 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 59 | 1 | ||
Career total | 353 | 17 | 18 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 408 | 22 |
- ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
- ^ Appearance in FA Trophy
- ^ Six appearances in FA Trophy, three in National League play-offs
- ^ a b Appearances in EFL League One play-offs
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
Honours
editRotherham United
- EFL League One runner-up: 2019–20, 2021–22[52]
- EFL Trophy: 2021–22[53]
Sheffield Wednesday
Individual
References
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ "Starlet eyes 2010 improvement". Liverpool F.C. 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Scholars offered professional deals". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 11 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Injury Update". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 23 December 2014. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Ihiekwe Pens New Deal". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "SIGNING | Ihiekwe becomes Millers first summer signing". Rotherham United Official Site. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
- ^ "Rotherham United 5-1 Oldham Athletic". BBC Sport. 23 September 2017.
- ^ "READ | Ihiekwe makes Accrington loan switch". Rotherham United F.C. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
- ^ "Owls secure Michael Ihiekwe move". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "Sheffield Wednesday team news confirmed v Portsmouth as Darren Moore hands three debuts". YorkshireLive. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ "Bottle it and keep it". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ "Michael Ihiekwe starts in predicted Sheffield Wednesday line-up against Bristol Rovers". YorkshireLive. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Wednesday 2-2 Norwich". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Michael Ihiekwe in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ "M. Ihiekwe". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ Peddy, Chris (3 April 2022). "Rotherham United 4–2 Sutton United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ Ian Woodcock (29 May 2023). "Barnsley 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Jordan Henderson among five Liverpool players in PFA team of the year". Yahoo! Sport. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Mohamed Salah and Sam Kerr win PFA player of year awards". BBC Sport. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced". EFL. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
External links
edit- Michael Ihiekwe at Soccerbase