Bernie Ibini-Isei

Bernie Alpha Ibini-Isei (born 12 September 1992), also known simply as Bernie Ibini, is a professional football player who plays as a striker or a winger, and most recently played for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors. Born in Nigeria, Ibini-Isei represented Australia internationally.

Bernie Ibini-Isei
Ibini playing for Central Coast Mariners Youth in 2010
Personal information
Full name Bernie Alpha Ibini-Isei
Date of birth (1992-09-12) 12 September 1992
Place of birth Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger, forward
Youth career
Blacktown City
2009–2011 Central Coast Mariners
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2013 Central Coast Mariners 61 (15)
2010–2011 → Blacktown City (loan) 12 (1)
2013–2015 Shanghai Dongya 10 (0)
2013–2014 → Central Coast Mariners (loan) 16 (6)
2014–2015 → Sydney FC (loan) 28 (7)
2015–2017 Club Brugge 0 (0)
2016–2017 → Sydney FC (loan) 20 (3)
2017–2018 Vancouver Whitecaps 25 (1)
2018–2019 Emirates Club 8 (1)
2019 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 13 (1)
2020 Newcastle Jets 6 (1)
2020–2022 Western Sydney Wanderers 46 (5)
2023 Lion City Sailors 8 (0)
International career‡
2011 Australia U20 6 (1)
2011 Australia U23 1 (0)
2014–2015 Australia 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2014

Early life

Bernie Ibini-Isei immigrated to Australia from Nigeria when he was a child, and grew up in Sydney's Canterbury-Bankstown region. His passion for soccer was obvious from a very young age, and at the age of six years old he was registered to play for his local club Earlwood Wanderers.

He has a sister, Princess Ibini-Isei, who is also a soccer player, playing for Sydney FC in the W-League and the Australian team.[2]

Club career

Ibini started playing soccer for New South Wales Premier League club Blacktown City at youth level. He was immediately recognized as a player with immense potential and was selected to join Westfields Sports High School.[3]

Central Coast Mariners

In 2009, he was signed by the Central Coast Mariners to join their youth team in the A League competition. In 2009, he received the Golden Boot Award in the National Youth League and was quickly promoted to the senior team, where he made his debut on 12 February 2010, in their round 27 clash against Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.[4] Ibini-Isei made his starting debut for the Mariners against the Gold Coast and scored in a 3–1 win. After just his third start for the Central Coast Mariners Ibini-Isei scored the second goal for the Central Coast Mariners against Perth Glory. His speed and skill quickly gained the attention of the Australian under 20 National Team coach to play a key role in the U20 World Cup.

His consistent development and performances earned Bernie a two-year contract extension with the club, and on 1 February 2012 it was announced that he had signed a two-year contract extension with Central Coast Mariners.[5]

Shanghai East Asia

On 4 June 2013, after his superb performances in the 2012/2013 Asian Champions League round of 16 clash against Guangzhou Evergrande, Central Coast Mariners received a record bid for Ibini from Shanghai East Asia FC who were keen to add to their squad list for the Chinese Super League. Three days later his move to newly promoted Chinese Super League side Shanghai East Asia, was complete with Ibini signing a three-year contract.[6] This move made Ibini one of the most expensive under 21 players 21 in Asia. Bernie made an immediate impact in the Chinese Super League with his speed and skill playing as a wide striker. However, in November 2013, due to the unexpected tragic death of his father Ibini gained permission to return to the Australian A League, and previous club Central Coast Mariners on loan on compassionate grounds. The loan move took effect on 8 January 2014 and was until 31 May 2014 after which he was then to return to Shanghai.

Loan to Sydney FC

In May 2014 Ibini signed for Sydney FC on loan,[7] making his debut in round 1 of the A League season against Melbourne City. Ibini scored his first goal in the Sydney Derby in a 1–1 draw. In the last three rounds of the A league season Ibini scored three goals: a contender for goal of the season against Perth Glory, a lob over the goalkeeper against Newcastle United and a solo goal against Wellington Phoenix. Although Sydney wanted to keep Ibini, he was recalled by Shanghai on 3 June 2015[8] Ibini played in every A-League fixture for Sydney during the 2014–15 season.

Club Brugge

Following his release from Sydney, due to his contract ending on 1 May, Ibini missed out on playing against 2014–15 Premier League champions Chelsea in a friendly at ANZ Stadium. It was shortly announced thereafter that Ibini had gained permission from Shanghai East Asia to travel to Belgium for a medical with Club Brugge with Shanghai unlikely to retain him due to their foreign player quota already filled.[9] He signed a three-year deal with the club on 5 June 2015.[10] It was announced that Ibini would wear the number 11 shirt.

Second loan to Sydney FC

After being ruled out for the 2015–16 Belgian Pro League season due to a broken leg he suffered in his first training session with Club Brugge, it was announced on 21 July 2016 that Ibini would return to Sydney FC on a loan deal once again.[11] He made his return from injury in an FFA Cup semi-final against Canberra Olympic on 19 October 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring a late goal in a 3–0 win.[12]

Vancouver Whitecaps

On 9 May 2017, Ibini signed with Major League Soccer club Vancouver Whitecaps on a one-year deal with an option to make it a two-year deal.[13] On 8 August 2018, the Whitecaps announced that they and Ibini-Isei had "mutually agreed to a contract termination" to allow him to sign with Emirates Club of the UAE Pro League.[14]

Jeonbuk Hyundai

In January 2019 Ibini signed with Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.[15] He left Jeonbuk, and arranged a transfer to Esteghlal only for the contract to be rescinded after Ibini failed a medical clearance at the club.

Newcastle Jets & Western Sydney Wanderers

After his unsuccessful attempt to land a contract in Iran, Ibini returned to Australia and signed a short-term contract with Newcastle Jets, re-uniting with manager Carl Robinson whom he had played under at Vancouver.[16] Carl Robinson would quit his position as manager at the Hunter based club after less than a year, citing financial reasons at the club as part of his motive,[17] joining Sydney rival Western Sydney Wanderers, signing a lucrative 3-year deal.[18] In a move that was seen as controversial for its reasoning,[19] Ibini would follow Robinson to Western Sydney only days later, signing a 2-year deal with the Western Sydney club.[20] after nearly 50 league appearances for the Wanderers he was released.

Lion City Sailors

Following his release from the Wanderers, Ibini signed for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors for the 2023 season.[21] His contract was mutually terminated on 15 August following lackluster performances and the signing of Richairo Živković. [22]

International career

Ibini made his debut for the Australian U-20 team in 2011, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 win against Germany U-20.

On 7 March 2011, he was selected to represent the Australia Olympic football team in an Asian Olympic Qualifier match against Iraq.[23]

On 10 October 2014, he made his debut for the Australian senior team, starting in a friendly match against the United Arab Emirates in preparation for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.[24]

Career statistics
As of 8 August 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Central Coast Mariners 2009–10 A-League 10000010
2010–11 41000041
2011–12 2970060357
2012–13 2770080357
Club total6115001407515
Blacktown City (loan) 2010 NSW Premier League 1212000141
Shanghai Dongya 2013 Chinese Super League 1001000110
Central Coast Mariners (loan) 2013–14 A-League 1660050216
Sydney FC (loan) 2014–15 2872000307
Club Brugge 2015–16 Belgian Pro League 00000000
Sydney FC (loan) 2016–17 A-League 2031100214
Vancouver Whitecaps 2017 Major League Soccer 1710000171
2018 80100090
Club total2511000261
Emirates Club 2018–19 UAE Pro League 812000101
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2019 K League 1 1310020151
Newcastle Jets 2019–20 A-League 61000061
Western Sydney Wanderers 2020–21 2640000264
2021–22 2012100222
Club total4652100486
Career total2454111221027743

Honours

Club

Central Coast Mariners:

Sydney FC

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Individual

See also

References
  1. "Bernie Ibini-Isei – Sydney FC Team". Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. Buckley, Danielle. "Princess Ibini-Isei following royal path of Socceroo brother Bernie". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  3. AAP (9 August 2018). "Bernie Ibini exits Vancouver Whitecaps, joins Emirates Club". ESPN. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  4. "Hyundai A-League Home". Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.
  5. "Bernie Ibini Signs On For Two More Years". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  6. 东亚官方宣布2次转会第1签 3年合同锁澳大利亚锋将(in Chinese)
  7. "Ibini signs for Sydney FC". SBS. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  8. Hassett, Sebastian (3 June 2015). "All change at Sydney FC as Graham Arnold dumps key players and lose Bernie Ibini". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  9. Lewis, David (3 June 2015). "Ibini signs for Sydney FC". SBS. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  10. "Bernie Ibini 3 years at Club Brugge". Club Brugge. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  11. "Star Forward Returns To Sydney FC". Sydney FC. 21 July 2016.
  12. Puterflam, Michael (20 October 2016). "Bernie Ibini's return: 'Arnie would probably lose it at me if I didn't get to the back post'". Fox Sports. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  13. "Whitecaps FC acquire winger/forward Bernie Ibini from Belgian club Brugge KV". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  14. "Whitecaps FC and midfielder Bernie Ibini mutually agree to part ways". Whitecaps FC.
  15. "Ibini makes Korean switch". ftbl.com.au. 20 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  16. "BERNIE JETS BACK INTO OZ". FTBL. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  17. Homer, Ben (15 October 2020). "Newcastle Jets coach Carl Robinson joins rival Western Sydney Wanderers as dire financial state laid bare". ABC News. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  18. Monteverde, Marco. "A-League: Robinson has no qualms about deserting Jets to coach Wanderers". news.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  19. Rugari, Vince (17 December 2020). "Ibini hits back at Jets' doubts over mental health 'excuse'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  20. "WANDERERS SECURE IBINI". Western Sydney Wanderers. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  21. Ganesan, Deepanraj (29 March 2023). "Lion City Sailors sign Australian striker Ibini to replace injured Tanaka". The Straits Times. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  22. Sailors, Lion City (15 August 2023). "Bernie leaves the Sailors". Lion City Sailors FC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  23. "Vidmar names U23s squad to face Iraq". Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  24. Greco, John (10 October 2014). "Socceroos left frustrated in Abu Dhabi". Football Federation Australia.
  25. "A-League All Stars vs. Juventus 2 – 3". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
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