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Reece Wabara

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Reece Wabara
Personal information
Full name Reece Wabara[1]
Date of birth (1991-12-28) 28 December 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.82 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Walsall
2007–2011 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Manchester City 1 (0)
2011–2012 → Ipswich Town (loan) 6 (0)
2012–2013 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 25 (0)
2013 → Blackpool (loan) 1 (0)
2013 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 13 (0)
2014–2015 Doncaster Rovers 43 (1)
2015–2016 Barnsley 19 (1)
2016 Wigan Athletic 19 (1)
2017 Bolton Wanderers 1 (0)
Total 128 (3)
International career
2011 England U19 1 (0)
2011 England U20 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Reece Wabara (born 28 December 1991) is an English businessman and former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is also a former England U20 international.

Club career

[edit]

Manchester City

[edit]

Reece was a central defender and full back who signed for Manchester City's academy from Walsall's School of Excellence in 2007.[3] In May 2008, Reece signed his first professional scholarship with the club.[4]

Wabara began his City career playing in the academy and eventually become captain of under-16s side,[4] before moving on to becoming a mainstay in the Elite Development Squad. He committed his long-term future to the Blues by signing a three-year deal in March 2011 worth an estimated one million pounds.[5] After given number fifty seven shirt,[6] Wabara made his first team debut on the last day of the 2010–11 season against Bolton Wanderers when he came on as a substitute for Pablo Zabaleta.[7]

He left Manchester City on 14 April 2014, after having his contract cancelled by mutual consent.[8]

Loan spells

[edit]

In September 2011, Wabara joined Championship club Ipswich Town on a three-month loan[9] and made three substitute appearances before making his first appearance in the starting eleven on 5 November 2011, in which he played the full game, his side losing 2–3 to bottom of the table visitors Doncaster Rovers.[10] Despite being keen for a loan extension at Ipswich Town,[11] Wabara returned to his parent club.[12]

On 15 September 2012, Wabara joined Football League One side Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan deal.[13] Later in the day, Wabara made his Oldham Athletic debut, playing as a right-back, in a 2–2 draw against Notts County.[14] His performance in a number of games soon led Manager Paul Dickov to comment about Wabara's impact at Oldham[15] and he said he was keen to extend his loan spell.[16] Wabara had his loan spell with the club extended for another month on 18 October 2012.[17] Wabara's loan spell with the club was then extended further until January.[18] Wabara then scored his first Oldham Athletic goal, in the second round of the FA Cup, in a 3–1 win over Doncaster Rovers on 1 December 2012.[19] Wabara's loan spell with Oldham Athletic was extended further until 27 January 2013.[20] He made his last appearance for Oldham in the 3–2 FA Cup victory over Liverpool, scoring the winning goal.[21] Despite this his loan spell came to an end, the club's assistant manager David Platt said Wabara could make a return to Oldham Athletic.[22]

Instead, on 30 January 2013, Wabara joined Blackpool on a loan move until the end of the 2012–13 season.[23] Wabara made his Blackpool debut, in a 1–0 loss against Ipswich Town on 16 February 2013.[24] Wabara made only one appearance and made his return to his parent club on 7 March 2013 after Blackpool decided to cut his loan spell.[25]

Doncaster Rovers

[edit]

Wabara joined Championship side Doncaster Rovers on a one-month loan on 6 August 2013.[26] Wabara made his Doncaster Rovers debut in the first round of the League Cup, in a 1–0 win over Rochdale[27] and made his league debut, playing as a right-back, in a 2–0 win over Blackburn Rovers.[28] After an impressive first month, Wabara extended his loan move until January 2014.[29] However, on 3 December 2013, he returned to Manchester City after suffering a stress reaction to the injury.[30]

Following his release by Manchester City, Wabara rejoined Doncaster Rovers on a permanent deal signing a short term contract on 1 August 2014.[31] Upon joining the club, Wabara was given the number twenty-two shirt, compared to his previous number 32.[32] Wabara's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening game of the season, playing as a right-back, in a 3–0 win over Yeovil Town.[33] Wabara scored his first Doncaster Rovers goal, in a 2–1 win over Bradford City on 1 November 2014.[34] Wabara established himself in the first team in the first half of the season and his twenty-seven appearances led to him earning a contract with the club until the end of the 2014–15 season.[35] Wabara continued to establish himself in the first team as a right-back until Mitchell Lund took over his role.[36] Despite making forty-three appearances, Wabara was released by the club when his contract expired in the summer.[37] Manager Dickov explained that Wabara's contract was not extended because he wanted to seek new challenges.[38]

Barnsley

[edit]

After being released by Doncaster Rovers, Wabara went on trial at Scottish Championship side Rangers.[39] He was reportedly close to signing for Rangers,[40] but on 15 August 2015 that Wabara joined Barnsley on a short-term contract until 31 December 2015.[41]

Wabara made his Barnsley debut on 18 August 2015, where he came on as a substitute for James Bree in the 58th minute, in a 3–2 win over Millwall.[42] Then 12 September 2015, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 win over Swindon Town.[43] Despite serving a suspension after picking five yellow cards this season,[44] Wabara became a first team regular at Barnsley and made nineteen appearances for the club.

With his contract at Barnsley expiring, Wabara was offered a new contract by the club.[45] By the time his contract was expiring, Wabara made his last Barnsley appearance on 2 January 2016, in a 2–1 win over Millwall.[46] However, Wabara left the club after his six months contract expired.[47]

Wigan Athletic

[edit]

After impressing whilst at Barnsley on a short term contract, Wabara was signed by League 1 rivals Wigan Athletic on 14 January 2016 until the end of the 2015–16 season on a free transfer.[48]

Wabara made his Wigan Athletic debut, making his first start, against Chesterfield on 16 January 2016 and provided assist for Reece James to score the second goal in the game, in a 3–1 win.[49] In the next game on 23 January 2016, Wabara scored his first goal for Wigan in a 1–1 draw at Crewe Alexandra.[50] Wabara became a first team regular at Wigan Athletic, playing in the left-back position for the rest of the season.[51] As a result, Wabara's attitude was praised by Manager Gary Caldwell.[52] Whilst at Wigan Athletic, Wabara played 20 games and earned Promotion to The Championship after winning League 1. For his impressive form for both Barnsley and Wigan over the 2015–16 season, Wabara was named in League One's PFA Team of the Year for his performances in the 2015–16 season, alongside teammates Craig Morgan, Yanic Wildschut and Will Grigg.[53]

Despite impressing for Wigan Athletic, Wabara, however, was released by the club at the end of the 2015–16 season.[54] Manager Caldwell explained his decision to release Wabara, though his decision was describe as "biggest".[55] After leaving Wigan Athletic, Wabara trialled with Leeds United and Bristol City.[56] Wabara was all set to join Leeds United, but the contract offer was later withdrawn after Manager Garry Monk decided against signing him.[57]

Bolton Wanderers

[edit]

On 15 February 2017, Bolton completed the signing of Wabara until the end of the season.[58] On 11 May the club confirmed that Wabara would be leaving at the end of his contract on 30 June.[59] After leaving Bolton, Wabara retired to focus on his fashion brand.[60][61]

International career

[edit]

Wabara is eligible to represent both England and Nigeria as he has a Nigerian grandfather, but chose to represent England international as the country of his birth at youth level. In May 2008, Wabara was called up by England U17.[62]

Reece made his England U20 debut in a 1–0 defeat to France U20 in February 2011.[63] He was then named in Brian Eastick's squad for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia in the summer of 2011.[64][65]

Business career

[edit]

Wabara is the CEO of the clothing brand Manière De Voir, which he founded in 2013.[61][66] The business was ranked as one of the fastest-growing private companies in Britain in 2022 and 2023, with annual revenue of £34.7 million and profits doubling from the previous year to £6.6 million.[67] He was ranked 19th on the 2023 Sunday Times Young Rich List with a net worth of £83million. Ironically, this makes him wealthier than every active Premier League footballer, a career he retired from at the tender age of 26.[68] Manière De Voir expanded its physical retail presence by opening a flagship store at 354 Oxford Street, London, in December 2023, coinciding with the brand’s 10th anniversary.[69] [70]

In August 2024, Reece Wabara paid £9.4 million to buy out the stake in his company owned by his childhood friend Lewis Morgan.[71]

Personal life

[edit]

Reece's grandfather, Lawrence Wabara, was a Nigerian international footballer.[64] and is the nephew of former Rangers player Mark Walters and boxer Pelé Reid.[4] Wabara attended South Bromsgrove High School.[4]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of 28 February 2017.[72]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 2010–11 Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2011–12 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Ipswich Town (loan) 2011–12 Championship 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2012–13 League One 25 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 29 2
Blackpool (loan) 2012–13 Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2013–14 Championship 13 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 15 0
Doncaster Rovers 2014–15 League One 43 1 4 0 2 0 1[a] 0 50 1
Total 56 1 4 0 4 0 1 0 65 1
Barnsley 2015–16 League One 19 1 1 0 1 0 5[a] 0 26 1
Wigan Athletic 2015–16 League One 19 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 1
Bolton Wanderers 2016–17 League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 128 3 9 2 5 0 6 0 148 5

Honours

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Wigan Athletic

Individual

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Premier League clubs submit squad lists". premierleague.com. Premier League. 2 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 September 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  2. ^ "List of Players – 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  3. ^ "The Graduates Number 37: Reece Wabara". Manchester City F.C. 15 November 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d "City new-boy Reece is over the 'Blue Moon'". Bromsgrove Advertiser. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Reece Wabara pens new three-year deal". Manchester City F.C. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  6. ^ "City Squad Numbers Revealed". Manchester City F.C. 29 July 2010. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester City match report". Manchester City F.C. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  8. ^ "Manchester City defender Reece Wabara leaves the club after cancelling contract". SkySports. 14 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Ipswich seal Wabara loan". skysports.com. skySPORTS. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Ipswich 2 – 3 Doncaster". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  11. ^ "Reece Wabara targets Ipswich Town extension". BBC Sport. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Reece Wabara to return to Manchester City". East Anglian Daily Times. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Latics sign City ace". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  14. ^ "Oldham Athletic 2 – 2 Notts County". BBC Sport. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Dickov hopes for Wabara impact". Sky Sports. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  16. ^ "Dickov looks to keep loan duo". Sky Sports. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  17. ^ "Wabara to extend stay". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 18 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Latics extend Wabara loan". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  19. ^ "Oldham Athletic 3 – 1 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  20. ^ "Wabara rejoins Latics". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 12 January 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  21. ^ "Oldham Athletic 3 – 2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
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  23. ^ "City defender makes Blackpool loan move".
  24. ^ "Ipswich Town 1 – 0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  25. ^ "Wabara Returns To Manchester City". Blackpool F.C. 7 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
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  27. ^ "Doncaster Rovers 1 – 0 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  28. ^ "Doncaster Rovers 2 – 0 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  29. ^ "Wabara Extends Deal". Doncaster Rovers FC. 31 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  30. ^ "Wabara Injury Update". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  31. ^ "Doncaster Rovers sign Jed Steer, Reece Wabara and Paul Keegan". BBC Sport. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  32. ^ "Squad Numbers 14/15". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  33. ^ "Yeovil Town 0 – 3 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  34. ^ "Bradford City 1 – 2 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  35. ^ "Wabara staying at Doncaster". Sky Sports. 29 December 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  36. ^ "Dickov hails Lund debut". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 19 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  37. ^ "Dean Furman: Doncaster Rovers release South Africa captain". BBC Sport. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  38. ^ "Dickov Explains Retained List". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  39. ^ "Former Manchester City defender Reece Wabara arrives at Murray Park with a view to securing Rangers contract". Daily Record. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Rangers poised to sign former Manchester City academy player Reece Wabara". HeraldScotland. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  41. ^ "Reece Wabara Joins Reds". Barnsley F.C. 15 August 2015. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  42. ^ "Millwall 2 - 3 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  43. ^ "Barnsley 4–1 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  44. ^ "Oldham v Reds: Match Preview". Barnsley F.C. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  45. ^ "Barnsley: Trio depart Oakwell as Johnson looks forward". The Star. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  46. ^ "Barnsley 2 - 1 Millwall". BBC Sport. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  47. ^ "Wabara Leaves Oakwell". Barnsley F.C. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  48. ^ "Reece Wabara: Wigan sign ex-Barnsley and Man City defender". BBC Sport. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  49. ^ "Wigan Athletic 3 - 1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  50. ^ "Crewe 1-1 Wigan". BBC Sport. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  51. ^ "Talking football: Nothing to fear... but fear itself". Wigan Today. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  52. ^ "Caldwell's praise for Wabara's attitude". Wigan Today. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  53. ^ a b "PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team". BBC Sport. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  54. ^ "WIGAN ATHLETIC ANNOUNCE RETAINED LIST DETAILS". Wigan Athletic F.C. 3 June 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  55. ^ "Wabara exit my 'biggest decision' - Caldwell". Wigan Today. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  56. ^ Iles, Marc (23 February 2017). "Reece Wabara will be worth the wait for Bolton Wanderers, says Phil Parkinson". The Bolton News. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  57. ^ "Leeds United still in hunt for new players - Mansford". Yorkshire Post. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  58. ^ "Bolton Wanderers FC on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  59. ^ "Wanderers confirm player departures". Bolton Wanderers Official Site. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  60. ^ "Blink and you'll miss them: Wanderers' 'one cap wonders'". 7 December 2019.
  61. ^ a b Prevett, Hannah (12 September 2021). "Reece Wabara: I chucked in a football career to score in fashion". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  62. ^ "Reece handed squad call-up". Bromsgrove Advertiser. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  63. ^ "Wabara and Nimely called up for England Under 20s". Manchester City F.C. 3 February 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  64. ^ a b "Reece Wabara". The Football Association. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  65. ^ "Wabara and Nimely get World Cup call". Manchester City F.C. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  66. ^ Fish, Isabella (31 July 2020). "Sales soar at Manière De Voir". Drapers. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  67. ^ "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2023". The Sunday Times. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  68. ^ "Reece Wabara net worth — Sunday Times Rich List 2023". The Sunday Times. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  69. ^ Wright, Georgia (6 February 2023). "Manière De Voir to open first physical store on Oxford Street - Retail Gazette". Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  70. ^ "About Us | Leaders in Design & Quality". Manière De Voir. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  71. ^ Tyler, Richard (22 August 2024). "Reece Wabara: I spent £9.4m to complete my transfer into fashion". The Times. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  72. ^ Reece Wabara at Soccerbase
  73. ^ Soccerbase Reece Warbara 2015/2016
  74. ^ Soccerbase: "League One 2015/16"
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