Sam Vokes

Samuel Michael "Sam" Vokes (born 21 October 1989) is an England-born Wales Wales national football team Association football Forward (association football), signed to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C..

Club career

Born in Lymington, Vokes stepped up into A.F.C. Bournemouth's first team on 5 December 2006 in a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest F.C.. Sam Vokes first senior goal came in a 1-1 draw at Gillingham F.C. on 16 December. This form saw the club give Sam Vokes a three-and-a-half year professional contract during the following month.

The striker remained at Bournemouth during the 2007-08 in English football to score 12 times as they suffered relegation to Football League Two, despite being linked to several other clubs, including Newcastle United F.C., Aston Villa F.C., Everton F.C. and Celtic F.C..

Sam Vokes eventually signed a four-year contract with Football League Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. on 23 May 2008. Vokes marked Sam Vokes debut for the club by coming off the bench to equalise in a 2–2 draw at Plymouth Argyle F.C. on the opening day of the 2008–09 in English football. Sam Vokes followed this up by coming off the bench to score twice at Charlton Athletic F.C. on 13 September. After numerous substitute appearances and important goals, Sam started the home game against Southampton along with Andy Keogh to replace the injured Chris Iwelumo and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. Within 36 seconds the managers faith was repayed as Vokes scored a headed goal with Wolves going on to win the game 3-0.

International career

Although born in England, Vokes is eligible to represent Wales through a Welsh-born grandfather. Sam Vokes won a call-up to the Wales national under-21 football team, and made Sam Vokes debut against Northern Ireland national under-21 football team on 6 February 2007, where Sam Vokes made an instant impression by scoring after just 36 seconds in a 4–0 victory. Sam Vokes remained in the team and featured in their 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification Group 10 and was called-up to the senior squad and made Sam Vokes debut in a 1–0 friendly win in Iceland national football team on 28 May 2008.

Sam Vokes scored Sam Vokes first senior international goal when Sam Vokes netted the winner in a 1–0 win over Azerbaijan national football team in their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 4 on 6 September 2008.

Honours

- Football League Championship (II): 2009