Michael Uzoukwu Absalom Jude Ihiekwe (born 20 November 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Sheffield Wednesday.
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Michael Uzoukwu Absalom Jude Ihiekwe[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1992-11-20) 20 November 1992 (age 29) | ||
Place of birth | Liverpool, England | ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
Club 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 | 17 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:07, 12 November 2022 (UTC) |
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.
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]
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]
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]
Ihiekwe was born in England and is of Nigerian descent.[35] In September 2015, Ihiekwe was called up by England C.[36]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
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Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Cheltenham Town (loan) | 2013–14[37] | League Two | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
Tranmere Rovers | 2014–15[38] | League Two | 38 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 46 | 1 |
2015–16[39] | National League | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
2016–17[40] | National League | 39 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9[lower-alpha 3] | 1 | 48 | 3 | |
Total | 112 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 130 | 6 | ||
Rotherham United | 2017–18[41] | League One | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 4] | 0 | 35 | 1 |
2018–19[42] | Championship | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 2 | ||
2019–20[43] | League One | 33 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 4 | |
2020–21[44] | Championship | 42 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 2 | |
2021–22[45] | League One | 42 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[lower-alpha 5] | 1 | 52 | 5 | |
Total | 163 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 183 | 14 | ||
Accrington Stanley (loan) | 2018–19[42] | League One | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 6] | 0 | 23 | 1 |
Sheffield Wednesday | 2022–23[46] | League One | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
Career total | 324 | 16 | 15 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 370 | 21 |
Rotherham United
Sheffield Wednesday F.C. – current squad | |
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