Wes Hoolahan

Wesley "Wes" Hoolahan (born 20 May 1982 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland) is an Republic of Ireland professional Association football who plays as a left midfielder for England club Norwich City F.C..

Club career

Early career

Hoolahan started his career at Shelbourne F.C. where he won three Football League of Ireland championships and excelled during their run in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers in the 2004-05 season. He was the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland Young Player of the Year in the 2002-03 season.

Blackpool

On 21 July 2006, Hoolahan joined Blackpool F.C. 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 F.C. at Bloomfield Road. On 15 December 2006, he scored a goal and was sent off in a 3–1 win at Scunthorpe United F.C..

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 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 2007, FIFA ruled in Blackpool's favour, thus confirming Hoolahan as a Blackpool player. Although FIFA are still to decide the fee to be paid, or if Livingston are entitled to any compensation. On 11 September 2007, FIFA confirmed that Livingston's claim for compensation was still pending.

After being linked with possible moves to over ten Championship clubs throughout the 2007-08 season, in May 2008 Charlton Athletic F.C. were linked with a possible official bid for Hoolahan. Both he and fellow Blackpool player Kaspars Gorkšs were also linked with a move to Norwich City F.C..

Norwich

On 26 June 2008, Norwich City confirmed the deal to bring Hoolahan on a three-year player-plus-cash deal. Norwich reserve team keeper, Matthew Gilks, moved in the opposite direction along with an undisclosed amount of money.

International career

Hoolahan has been capped at Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team for the Republic of Ireland national football team. While at Shelbourne, he was an unused substitute in Don Givens' first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland, a 0–0 draw against Greece national football team in November 2002.

Hoolahan was named in the Republic of Ireland "B" squad on 8 November 2007, for the match against Scotland national football team on 20 November at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie. Hoolahan played in the match, which ended in a 1–1 draw.

In April 2008, Giovanni Trapattoni included Hoolahan in his preliminary forty-man squad for the friendly matches against Serbia national football team on 24 May and Colombia national football team on 29 May. On 13 May it was confirmed that Hoolahan had made the 28-man squad and that he would be joining a training camp in Portugal on 15 May in preparation for the matches. He came on as a 70th minute substitute in a practice match which the Irish team drew 1–1 with Portuguese Liga de Honra club side Portimonense S.C.. He was an unused substitute in Ireland's 1–1 draw with Serbia at Croke Park in Dublin. 29 May he came on as a second half substitute in the 1–0 win over Colombia national football team held in England at Craven Cottage.

Honours

Team

Shelbourne
- League of Ireland championships (3): 2001-02, 2003, 2004

Blackpool
- Football League One play-off final winner: Blackpool F.C. season 2006-07 Play-offs

Individual

On 2 April 2007, Hoolahan was named in the Press Association's Football League One "Team of the Week", alongside teammate Paul Rachubka.

Later that month, he was named in the Professional Footballers' Association's League One "Team of the Year".

On 17 September 2007, Hoolahan was named in Football League Championship team of the week.