Ex-Liverpool star makes SHOCK non-league transfer aged 27
Suraj Radia
- 14 Oct 2023 16:26 BST
- 4 min read
National League side Ebsfleet Town have raised eyebrows with an impressive transfer coup after sealing the signing of a former Premier League and England youth international winger.
Ex-Liverpool and Bournemouth star Jordon Ibe has joined the non-league outfit on a free transfer, having been without a club since leaving Turkish side Adanaspor in 2022.
The 27-year-old made history as a teenager when he became the youngest player to ever feature for Wycombe Wanderers in the league at the age of 15, which prompted Liverpool to sign him in 2012.
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Ibe was highly-rated at Liverpool and went onto make more than 50 appearances in all competitions before moving to Bournemouth in 2016 for a club-record fee of £15 million.
However, Ibe’s time at Bournemouth was filled with inconsistent displays and injuries and the England under-21 international was eventually released at the end of his contract in 2020.
Ibe has played just one game since leaving Bournemouth, featuring for Derby Country in 2020 before moving to Turkey, however he failed to make an appearance there and has joined Ebsfleet after more than a year out of the game.
Ibe ready for comeback after difficult time away from football
Ibe opened up about his struggles off the pitch in 2020, admitting depression had left him ‘in a dark place’, having gone through rehabilitation to improve his mental health at Bournemouth, while the ex-Birmingham loanee also suffered a broken leg recently.
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“I just want to get back out there, show people what I can do again and play football,” Ibe said after joining Ebsfleet. “I’ve worked hard to be in a position where I am able to focus on football and believe in myself and my ability to contribute on the pitch.
“Being back out there is where I love to be and where I’m most happy but I needed to be healthy and prepared to give myself that chance.
🚨🔴⚪ NEW SIGNING! 🚨🔴⚪
The Fleet welcome former Liverpool, Bournemouth and Derby County player Jordon Ibe to the Kuflink Stadium.
Read the details behind this latest arrival right here... ⤵️https://t.co/4DUvlbavGW pic.twitter.com/smevOXjjmj— Ebbsfleet United FC (@EUFCofficial) October 14, 2023
“The way Ebbsfleet have helped me and put a process in place so I can be ready has been really supportive. I came in and have had to back myself and prove I’m here to succeed to earn my chance.
“The gaffer and staff have built up my fitness to the point where I’m ready to go with a ball and I’m really pleased to be able to concentrate on my game while at the same time being really supported.”
