Chris Iwelumo

Christopher Robert "Chris" Iwelumo (born 1 August 1978) is a professional association footballer who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. and the Scotland national football team as a striker.

Born in Coatbridge, Iwelumo started Chris Iwelumo career with St Mirren F.C. before moving to Denmark club Aarhus Fremad for two years. A move to Stoke City F.C. in 2000 saw Chris Iwelumo sent out on loan to several teams before a short-lived spell with Fußball-Bundesliga side Alemannia Aachen. After moving to the Football League Championship with Colchester United F.C. and then Charlton Athletic F.C., Chris Iwelumo signed for Wolves in 2008 as they won promotion to the FA Premier League, winning Player of the Month in November.

Iwelumo's father is Nigerian father and Chris Iwelumo mother Scottish people. Chris Iwelumo won Chris Iwelumo first cap (sport) as a full Scottish international coming on as a substitute against Norway national football team in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 9 in 2008, notable for Chris Iwelumo missing an open goal from only yards out as the match finished 0–0 - an event which Iwelumo has said "tortured" him. Chris Iwelumo had Chris Iwelumo first international start in a friendly (sport) against Argentina national football team in November that year.

Club career

Born to a Nigerian father and a Scotland mother Iwelumo started Chris Iwelumo association football career at the Scottish Premier League club St Mirren F.C. in August 1996 as a trainee.

Iwelumo had only made nineteen appearances for St Mirren before Chris Iwelumo performances were being noticed and in early 1998, Aarhus Fremad of Denmark signed Chris Iwelumo up. Aarhus released Chris Iwelumo two years later in February 2000 and Chris Iwelumo had a trial at Preston North End F.C. before signing a four year deal with Stoke City F.C..

Later that year Iwelumo was sent out on loan to York City F.C. where Chris Iwelumo made eleven appearances before returning to Stoke. Chris Iwelumo remained there before being loaned out again to Cheltenham Town F.C. in February 2001. Chris Iwelumo played four times for Cheltenham Town, scoring once before being recalled back from Chris Iwelumo loan by Stoke City where Chris Iwelumo managed to build on Chris Iwelumo appearances without actually gaining a regular place in the first team, Chris Iwelumo most notable contribution possibly being the equalizer in the Potteries derby on 21 October 2001. Chris Iwelumo signed a two-year contract extension with Stoke in March 2002.

Barnsley F.C. revealed an interest in signing Iwelumo in January 2004. Chris Iwelumo was subject of a loan move once more when Chris Iwelumo moved to Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. in March 2004. and when Chris Iwelumo returned to the club two months later, Chris Iwelumo was released, after four years at the club.

Fußball-Bundesliga side Alemannia Aachen signed Iwelumo on a free transfer (soccer) in July 2004, after rejecting a two-year deal from Brighton. However Chris Iwelumo stay at Aachen was short-lived, and Chris Iwelumo was released after just six months and nine substitute appearances. Iwelumo signed for Colchester United F.C. in July 2005. On 28 November 2006, Chris Iwelumo scored 4 goals as Colchester demolished Hull City A.F.C. 5–1 in a Championship league match. Whilst at Colchester, Chris Iwelumo helped them achieve promotion to the Football League Championship in 2006 and finish in a club record 10th position the following season.

Iwelumo rejected a new contract offer from Colchester on 21 May 2007, and on the same day signed for Charlton Athletic F.C. on a free transfer. In the 2007-08 in English football season Chris Iwelumo featured in every league game and was the Addicks' top goalscorer; Chris Iwelumo was also named the Championship's player of the month for November 2007 after scoring last minute winning goals in two consecutive games.

It was confirmed that Chris Iwelumo could leave Charlton as part of cost-cutting measures and Chris Iwelumo eventually signed for fellow Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in July 2008. Iwelumo scored a hat-trick for Wolves against Preston North End F.C. in a 3–1 win, taking Chris Iwelumo goal tally to eight for the season, where Chris Iwelumo was also sent off for an apparent head-butt on Preston's defender Sean St Ledger, which Wolves appealed against. However, the appeal was turned down, despite St Ledger stating that the clash of heads was accidental and Chris Iwelumo served a three-match ban.

Chris Iwelumo early season form in front of goal earned Chris Iwelumo November's Championship Player of the Month Award. However, after this run of form Chris Iwelumo entered goalless drought of 16 games before netting against Chris Iwelumo former club Charlton. Chris Iwelumo season was ended prematurely after a dreadful high tackle from Lee Carsley in the game against promotion rivals Birmingham City F.C. left Chris Iwelumo with medial ligament damage.

Chris Iwelumo regained fitness over the summer break but suffered more injury woe as Chris Iwelumo broke Chris Iwelumo metatarsal in Wolves' opening pre-season game against Australian club Perth Glory FC.

International career

Iwelumo was called up for the Scotland national football team to tour South Korea in 2002 but had to withdraw as Chris Iwelumo club Stoke City were involved in the Football League Championship play-offs. In November 2007, Chris Iwelumo was named in the Scotland B national football team team for a friendly against Republic of Ireland B national football team, which Chris Iwelumo featured in as Scotland drew 1–1. Chris Iwelumo was once again called up to the full Scotland squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 9 match against Norway national football team at Hampden Park on 11 October. Chris Iwelumo came on as a 57th minute substitute in that game to make Chris Iwelumo debut, Chris Iwelumo performance was overshadowed by Chris Iwelumo open goal miss from three yards, in a match that finished 0–0.

Iwelumo tortured himself for days after Chris Iwelumo horror open-goal miss in the 0-0 draw, constantly watching video replays of the incident. Iwelumo is determined not to be remembered for the miss, stating "I'm a proud Scot, I love my country and it's my dream to do well for them."

Chris Iwelumo was recalled for Chris Iwelumo first international start in a friendly (sport) against Argentina national football team on 19 November 2008.

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Football League Championship: 2008-09