Wes Hoolahan facts for kids
Hoolahan with the Republic of Ireland in 2013
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Wesley Patrick Hoolahan | ||
| Date of birth | 20 May 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
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Current team
|
Doncaster City | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Belvedere | |||
| Shelbourne | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2005 | Shelbourne | 155 | (12) |
| 2005–2007 | Livingston | 16 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | → Blackpool (loan) | 42 | (8) |
| 2007–2008 | Blackpool | 45 | (5) |
| 2008–2018 | Norwich City | 323 | (47) |
| 2018–2019 | West Bromwich Albion | 6 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Newcastle Jets | 5 | (0) |
| 2020–2022 | Cambridge United | 58 | (8) |
| 2024– | Doncaster City | 1 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2002–2003 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 9 | (1) |
| 2007 | Republic of Ireland B | 1 | (0) |
| 2008–2017 | Republic of Ireland | 43 | (3) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 February 2024 | |||
Wesley Patrick Hoolahan (born 20 May 1982) is an Irish professional footballer. He plays as an attacking midfielder for Central Midlands Alliance club Doncaster City.
Hoolahan started his career with Shelbourne. He also played for Livingston, Blackpool, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle Jets, and Cambridge United. He spent 10 years at Norwich City, where fans called him "The Irish Messi" or "Wessi".
He made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2008. He played for Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016. Hoolahan played 43 games for his country and scored 3 goals.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting Out in Football
Hoolahan played football as a schoolboy for Belvedere. He also played futsal with them. He began his professional career at Shelbourne. There, he helped them win the League of Ireland Premier Division three times. He was named the PFAI Young Player of the Year in the 2002–03 season. After Shelbourne, he had a short time playing for Livingston.
Time at Blackpool
On 21 July 2006, Hoolahan joined Blackpool on loan for a season. He scored his first goal for Blackpool on 30 September 2006. In June 2007, Hoolahan signed a two-year contract with Blackpool. However, his old club, Livingston, did not agree to the transfer. This led to a disagreement that FIFA had to settle. On 10 August 2007, FIFA decided that Hoolahan could officially join Blackpool.
Playing for Norwich City
On 26 June 2008, Hoolahan moved to Norwich City. He was part of a deal that also involved Norwich's reserve goalkeeper, Matt Gilks. Hoolahan was given the number 14 shirt. He scored his first goal for Norwich on 17 January 2009. An injury later that season kept him out, and Norwich was relegated to League One.
In the 2009–10 season, under new manager Paul Lambert, Hoolahan played in a new role. He played behind the main attackers, which helped him score more goals. He scored 13 goals that season.
In the 2010–11 season, Hoolahan continued his great form. He scored two goals against Leicester City. On 28 December 2010, he scored his first hat-trick for Norwich City. He came on as a substitute and helped Norwich win 4–2 against Sheffield United. In January 2011, Hoolahan signed a new contract with the club.
Before the 2011–12 Premier League season, Hoolahan sometimes wore the captain's armband. He scored his first Premier League goal on 13 August 2011. On 20 March 2012, he was added to Norwich City's Hall of Fame.
In December 2012, Hoolahan signed another new deal with Norwich. In January 2014, Aston Villa tried to buy him, but Norwich rejected their offer. Hoolahan asked to leave, but the club said no.
In August 2014, Hoolahan signed a new contract to stay at the club until 2017. In April 2015, he was chosen for the Football Manager Team of the Decade. Norwich was relegated from the Premier League after the 2015–16 season.
On 1 August 2016, Hoolahan agreed to another contract, keeping him at Norwich until 2018. He played his 300th game for Norwich on 5 November 2016. On 7 May 2017, Hoolahan was named Norwich City's Player of the Season for 2016–17. In the last game of that season, he scored two goals and set up another.
On 23 April 2018, it was announced that Hoolahan would leave Norwich after 10 years. Five days later, he played his last home game for Norwich City. He was given the captain's armband for this special match. Hoolahan scored a goal and helped Josh Murphy score another, as Norwich won 2–1.
Later Career Moves
On 14 September 2018, Hoolahan joined West Bromwich Albion for a short time. He played his first game for them four days later. His deal was extended until the end of the 2018–19 season, but he left the club after that.
On 9 August 2019, Hoolahan signed a one-year deal with Newcastle Jets in Australia. He had an ankle injury before the season started. He only played five games for the team.
Hoolahan joined League Two club Cambridge United on 28 July 2020. He was named the League Two Player of the Month for January 2021. He scored two goals and made two assists that month, helping Cambridge reach the top of the league.
In April 2021, he was named to the EFL League Two Team of the Season. He also helped Cambridge get promoted from League Two. In June 2021, he signed a new one-year contract. On 3 May 2022, it was announced that Hoolahan had left Cambridge United.
On 17 February 2024, Hoolahan joined Doncaster City. This club plays in the eleventh tier of English football.
International Career
Hoolahan first played for the Republic of Ireland's under-21 team. He was also part of the Republic of Ireland "B" squad in 2007.
In April 2008, Giovanni Trapattoni included Hoolahan in his squad for friendly matches. On 29 May, Hoolahan played as a substitute in Ireland's 1–0 win over Colombia.
On 31 October 2012, Hoolahan was called up for a friendly match against Greece. He came on at half-time. On 6 February 2013, Hoolahan scored his first goal for Ireland in a 2–0 win against Poland.
Hoolahan played more often under new manager Martin O'Neill. He was named Man of the Match in games against Serbia and Turkey.
On 11 October 2014, Hoolahan played against Gibraltar. He was involved in many goals, assisting two and scoring one himself. He was named Man of the Match for his excellent performance.
On 29 March 2015, Hoolahan started in a key Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland. He assisted Shane Long's late goal, which made the game a 1–1 draw. Hoolahan was again named Man of the Match.
Hoolahan scored Ireland's first goal at UEFA Euro 2016 against Sweden. He earned the Man of the Match award for his play in the 1–1 draw. On 22 June 2016, Hoolahan came on as a substitute against Italy. He provided the assist for Robbie Brady's winning goal, which sent Ireland to the next round. On 8 February 2018, Hoolahan announced he was retiring from international football.
Career Achievements
Shelbourne
- League of Ireland Premier Division: 2001–02, 2003, 2004
Blackpool
- Football League One play-offs: 2007 (promoted)
Norwich City
- Football League Championship runner-up: 2010–11 (promoted); play-offs: 2015 (promoted)
- Football League One: 2009–10 (promoted)
Cambridge United
- EFL League Two runner-up: 2020–21 (promoted)
Individual Awards
- PFAI Young Player of the Year: 2002–03
- PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07 League One, 2009–10 League One, 2010–11 Championship, 2020–21 League Two
- The Football League Team of the Decade
- Norwich City Player of the Season: 2016–17
- League Two Player of the Month: January 2021
- EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2020–21
Images for kids
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Hoolahan playing for Ireland in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Wes Hoolahan para niños
