Wesley Hoolahan

Wes Hoolahan

Hoolahan with the Republic of Ireland, 2013
Personal information
Full name	Wesley Hoolahan
Date of birth	(1982-05-20) 20 May 1982 (age 35)
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Playing position	Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team	Norwich City
Number	14
Youth career
	Belvedere
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2005	Shelbourne
2005–2006	Livingston	16	(0)
2006–2007	→Blackpool (loan)	42	(8)
2007–2008	Blackpool	45	(5)
2008–	Norwich City	302	(46)
National team
2002–2003	Republic of Ireland U21	9	(1)
2007	Republic of Ireland B	1	(0)
2008–2017	Republic of Ireland	43	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 October 2017.

Wesley Hoolahan /ˈhuːləhæn/ (born 20 May 1982) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Norwich City. Hoolahan began his playing career with Shelbourne and has previously played for Livingston and Blackpool. He was the subject of a contested transfer between these two clubs in 2007, eventually requiring mediation by FIFA before he was able to sign for Blackpool. Hoolahan has played more than 300 games for Norwich, where he earned nicknames like The Irish Messi or Wessi.

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.

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.