Wes Hoolahan

Wesley Patrick Hoolahan (born 20 May 1982) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for League One club Cambridge United.

Hoolahan began his playing career with Shelbourne and has previously played for Livingston, Blackpool, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle Jets and had a 10-year stay at Norwich City. He was the subject of a contested transfer between Livingston and Blackpool in 2007, eventually requiring mediation by FIFA before he was able to sign for Blackpool. Hoolahan played more than 350 games for Norwich, where he earned nicknames like "The Irish Messi" or Wessi.

Hoolahan made his Republic of Ireland senior debut in 2008 in a 1–0 win over Colombia. He represented Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016. Hoolahan won 43 caps in total and scored 3 goals.

Club Career

Early career

Hoolahan played as a schoolboy for Belvedere. He also played futsal with Belvedere. He started his senior career at Shelbourne where he won three League of Ireland Premier Division championships and excelled during their run in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. He was the PFAI Young Player of the Year in the 2002–03 season. He then had a brief spell at Livingston.

Blackpool

On 21 July 2006, Hoolahan joined Blackpool on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September 2006, a penalty in a 3–0 win over Leyton Orient at Bloomfield Road. On 15 December 2006, he scored a goal and was sent off in a 3–1 win at Scunthorpe United.

In June 2007, Hoolahan signed a two-year contract with Blackpool. Livingston, however, refused to sign the documentation sanctioning the move, stating that Blackpool had repeatedly breached the terms of the loan agreement. Blackpool denied any such default and referred the matter to the Football Association. With Livingston being backed by the Scottish Football Association the matter was passed to FIFA for a decision to be made on the player's future. On 10 August 200

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