Wes Hoolahan

Wesley Patrick Hoolahan (born 20 May 1982) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Central Midlands Alliance club Doncaster City.

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 PFAI Young Player of the Year in the 2002–03 season.

He then had a brief spell at Livingston.

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.

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.

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.

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 2007, FIFA ruled in Blackpool's favour, thus confirming Hoolahan as a Blackpool player.

Hoolahan made his Republic of Ireland senior debut in 2008 in a 1–0 win over Colombia.

On 26 June 2008, Norwich City confirmed the deal to bring Hoolahan on a three-year player-plus-cash deal.

Norwich reserve team keeper Matt Gilks moved in the opposite direction along with an undisclosed amount of money.

Hoolahan was handed squad number 14, which he retained in his time at Norwich.

His first goal for the club finally came when he opened the scoring in a 4–0 win over Barnsley at Carrow Road on 17 January 2009.

An injury sustained on 14 March, whilst playing against Plymouth Argyle, kept him out for the rest of the season as Norwich were ultimately relegated to League One.

In 2009–10, under new manager Paul Lambert, Hoolahan was utilised in a role behind the strikers in a midfield diamond formation as opposed to on the wing.

This saw a higher personal goal return for Hoolahan as he scored 13 times (including four penalties) in all competitions before the new year.

In the 2010–11 season, Hoolahan scored his first two goals of the season against Leicester City, scoring a penalty and a 30-yard half-volley shot.

Like the previous season, Hoolahan was utilised at the tip of the diamond formation.

Hoolahan continued his good form, with a goal against Bristol City, making it three goals in two matches for him.

On 28 December 2010, Hoolahan scored his first hat-trick for Norwich City in a 4–2 win over Sheffield United after coming on as a substitute.

Hoolahan signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with the club in January 2011, committing his future to Norwich until 2014.

During pre-season before the 2011–12 Premier League campaign, Hoolahan was given the captain's armband when club captain Grant Holt and vice-captain Russell Martin were not playing.

He led out the Canaries for the first time in the friendly fixture against Southend United at Roots Hall.

He scored his first Premier League goal in Norwich City's opening day 1–1 draw against Wigan Athletic on 13 August 2011.

Hoolahan led the Norwich team out as captain for their first Premier League win of the season, a 2–1 away victory against Bolton Wanderers on 17 September 2011, being given the armband ahead of the previous season's regular vice-captain Russell Martin who was also in the team.

He was inducted into Norwich City's Hall of Fame on 20 March 2012.

On 15 December 2012, it was announced that Hoolahan had signed a new deal with Norwich City worth a reported £40,000 per week, keeping him at the club until 2015.

In January 2014, Hoolahan was the subject of transfer speculation from Aston Villa who reportedly had a bid of £1 million rejected.

A few days after this reported bid, Hoolahan put in a transfer request which was turned down by the club.

He represented Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016.

Hoolahan won 43 caps in total and scored 3 goals.

Hoolahan played as a schoolboy for Belvedere.

He also played futsal with Belvedere.