Mallik Wilks

Mallik Rashaun Coley Wilks (born 15 December 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger or striker for EFL Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

Mallik Wilks
Personal information
Full name Mallik Rashaun Coley Wilks[1]
Date of birth (1998-12-15) 15 December 1998[2]
Place of birth Leeds, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3]
Position(s) Winger, Striker
Team information
Current team
 Sheffield Wednesday
Number 7
Youth career
0000–2016 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Leeds United 0 (0)
2017–2018 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 18 (3)
2018 → Grimsby Town (loan) 6 (0)
2018–2019 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 46 (14)
2019–2020 Barnsley 15 (1)
2020 → Hull City (loan) 12 (4)
2020–2022 Hull City 71 (23)
2022– Sheffield Wednesday 20 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:45, 25 October 2023 (UTC)

Wilks began his professional career with Leeds United, but failed to make a league appearance in his three years at the club. He had loan spells with both Accrington Stanley and Grimsby Town, before a third loan with Doncaster Rovers that saw 14 goals in 46 games. He signed a permanent deal with Barnsley, before joining Hull City in 2020.

Career

Leeds United

Born in Leeds, England, Wilks grew up in Chapeltown and started his career at Leeds United, where he graduated through the academy.[4] After an impressive display at Leeds United's U18 side, he signed scholarship in 2015.[5]

Under head Coach Garry Monk, with Wilks in impressive form for Leeds' Under 23 and youth sides, Wilks was called up to the first team squad, and was named as an unused substitute on 13 December 2016 against Reading in EFL Championship.[6] Wilks was given squad number 36 for the season. On 30 December 2016, days after his 18th birthday, Wilks signed his first professional contract at the club.[4][7] Wilks was named on the bench and made his debut as a substitute for Leeds against Sutton United on 29 January 2017 in the FA Cup.[8]

On 24 August 2017, Wilks signed a new four-year contract with Leeds United.[9] Whilst out on loan to Doncaster Rovers, on 1 January 2019, Wilks signed a new 2-year contract extension at Leeds, and extended his loan at Doncaster.[10]

Accrington Stanley loan

The same day he joined League Two side Accrington Stanley on loan, initially until 3 January 2018.[11]

Wilks made his Accrington Stanley debut on 25 August, against Notts County and scored a 95th-minute equaliser on his debut in a 2–2 draw.[12] He scored again a month later on 16 September 2017, in a 2–1 win over Chesterfield, followed up by scoring against Middlesbrough U21s.[13] Wilks later scored two more goals against Newport County and Lincoln City.[14] After scoring 5 goals in all competitions for Accrington in 23 games, in which he spent time on the substitute bench,[15] Wilks returned to Leeds on 3 January upon the expiry of his loan spell.[16] Despite leaving the club in January, he received a winners medal at the end of the 2017–18 season after Accrington went on to win the League Two title.[17][18]

Grimsby Town loan

On 26 January 2018, Wilks joined League Two side Grimsby Town on loan until the end of the season.[19] On 27 January 2018, Wilks made his debut for Grimsby in a 1–0 defeat against Luton Town.[20] He went on to play in four games for the club before limping out of a 3–0 defeat against Crawley Town on 10 February. On 6 March 2018 he returned to Leeds United due to injury for treatment.[21] He returned to Grimsby after treatment, and returned from injury on 24 March when he started in a 4–0 defeat against Coventry City.[22]

Doncaster Rovers loan

On 11 July 2018, Wilks joined EFL League One side Doncaster Rovers on a 6-month loan until 2 January 2019.[18] He started and scored on his debut for the club on 4 August, scoring in the 2–3 win against Southend United.[23] Wilks scored in each of his first 3 games at the club and was also awarded 3 consecutive man of the match awards in these games.[24] He scored his 4th goal of the season on 15 September in the 1–4 win against Walsall,[25] also receiving his 4th man of the match award of the season.[26]

The accolades continued when on 17 September, Wilks was named in the EFL Team Of The Week,[27] and also as the Sky Bet League One 'player of the weekend'.[28] He scored his 6th and 7th goals of the season when he scored a brace in a 0–4 win against Bristol Rovers on 8 December.[29]

On 1 January 2019, Wilks signed a new 2-year contract extension at Leeds, before extending his loan deal at Doncaster for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[10]

On 6 January 2019, Wilks scored his 9th goal of the season in Doncaster's 3–1 shock win against EFL Championship side Preston North End.[30] Wilks bagged his 12th of the season, and 10th goal in the league in an impressive performance for Doncaster on 23 February in the local derby game against Scunthorpe.[31] On 5 May 2019 at the club's annual award ceremony, Wilks received the Doncaster Rovers Social Media Player of The Year Award, after accumulating the most man of the match performances during the course of the season.[32]

Wilks helped Doncaster reach the League One playoffs where they were knocked out over two legs by Charlton Athletic in May 2019, with Wilks making a huge impression over the course of the season, he scored 16 goals in all competitions and gained 12 assists.[33]

Barnsley

On 5 July 2019, Wilks joined EFL Championship club Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.[34]

Wilks scored his first goal for the Tykes in a 3–1 defeat to Luton.[35]

Hull City

Wilks signed on a six-month loan for fellow Championship side Hull City on 17 January 2020.[36] He made his debut on 18 January 2020, when he came off the bench as a 71st-minute substitute for Josh Magennis in the 1–0 defeat away to Derby County.[37] Wilks scored his first goal for Hull in a 1–1 draw away to Reading on 8 February 2020.[38]

On 2 July 2020, Hull announced Wilks' loan deal had ended, but shortly after that they confirmed the signing of Wilks on a permanent deal.[39]

On 18 May 2022, Hull City exercised an option for an additional year on his contract.[40]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 22 August 2022, Wilks joined Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.[41] He made his debut at home to Forest Green Rovers on 27 August 2022, coming off the bench in a 5-0 win.[42] He scored his first goal for the Owls against Burton Albion on 20 September 2022.[43]

Personal life

Just three days before making his Leeds United debut, Wilks' brother Raheem had been killed outside a barber's shop in Leeds.[44] Despite the tragedy, Wilks played in the FA Cup match against Sutton United.[45] Three people were convicted of Raheem's murder in November 2017.[46] On 9 July 2020, Wilks pleaded guilty to one count of affray and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm for his role in an incident on 28 August 2017. He was given an 18-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay £2900 in compensation to the victims.[47][48]

Style of Play

Wilks is a versatile forward whose main position was to play as a lone striker. During his time on loan at Doncaster Rovers, he has been converted into an attacking winger and plays on either wing. He is known for his pace and his physicality.[49] His manager Grant McCann also described Wilks' style as flamboyant for his showboating skills.[50]

Honours

Accrington Stanley

Hull City

Individual

Career statistics
As of 25 October 2023.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United 2016–17[53] Championship 0010000010
2017–18[54] Championship 0000000000
2018–19[55] Championship 0000000000
Total 0010000010
Accrington Stanley (loan) 2017–18[54] League Two 183100042235
Grimsby Town (loan) 2017–18[55] League Two 6000000060
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2018–19[55] League One 46144111205316
Barnsley 2019–20[56] Championship 151001000161
Hull City (loan) 2019–20[56] Championship 124100000134
Hull City 2019–20[56] Championship 6100000061
2020–21[57] League One 441910322[lower-alpha 1]15022
2021–22[58] Championship 203000000203
2022–23[59] Championship 1000100020
Total 83272042219130
Sheffield Wednesday 2022–23[59] League One 16150003[lower-alpha 1]1242
2023–24[60] Championship 4000000040
Total 201500031282
Career total 188461316311421854
  1. Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy

References
  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Leeds United" (PDF). English Football League. p. 22. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. Mallik Wilks at Soccerway. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  3. "Mallik Wilks". Hull City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  4. "Leeds United hot prospect Mallik Wilks signs professional terms". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  5. "Leeds United: Coyle sees red in U-21s defeat". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  6. "Leeds United 2 – 0 Reading". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  7. "MALLIK WILKS SIGNS PROFESSIONAL TERMS". Leeds United F.C. 30 December 2016. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  8. "MATCHDAY: Sutton United Vs Leeds LIVE". BBC Sport. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  9. "Wilks Pens New Deal". Leeds United F.C. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  10. "Leeds United's Mallik Wilks signs new deal and extends loan at Doncaster". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 1 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  11. "Promising Leeds United youngster heads to Accrington Stanley after penning contract extension". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  12. "Notts County 2 Accrington Stanley 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  13. "Chesterfield 1 – 2 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
    "MATCH ANALYSIS: Stanley 3 Middlesbrough Under-21s 2". Lancashire Telegraph. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  14. "Accrington Stanley 1 – 1 Newport County". BBC Sport. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
    "Sean McConville wonder goal not enough for Stanley in Lincoln loss". Lancashire Telegraph. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  15. "'I'm not just a super-sub' – Wilks keen to win regular Stanley starting spot". The Lancashire Telegraph. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  16. "Loan Players Return". Accrington Stanley F.C. 3 January 2018. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  17. "LEEDS YOUNGSTER WINS LEAGUE TWO CHAMPIONS MEDAL". Vital Leeds. 29 April 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  18. "MALLIK WILKS JOINS DONCASTER ROVERS". Leeds United. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  19. Findlater, James (26 January 2018). "Grimsby Town confirm loan signing of Leeds United striker Mallik Wilks". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  20. "Mallik Wilks". 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  21. "Leeds United striker Wilks returns from Grimsby loan". The Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  22. "Grimsby Fans Praise Leeds owned Malik Wilks' display in 4–0 defeat". Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  23. "Southend 2 Doncaster 3". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  24. "Wilks is your MOTM vs Scunthorpe United". Doncaster Rovers. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  25. "Walsall 1 Doncaster 4". BBC Sport. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  26. "With 63% of the voting you have chosen @MallikWilks as your Man Of The Match". Doncaster Rovers Twitter. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  27. "Team of the Week: Matchday 8". EFL.Com. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  28. "After bagging himself both a goal AND an assist in @drfc_official's 4–1 victory over Walsall and taking his tally up to three goals in three games, @mallikwilks is your @SkyBetLeagueOne Player Of The Weekend". Quest TV Twitter. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  29. "Bristol Rovers 0 Doncaster Rovers 4". BBC Sport. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  30. "Preston 1 Doncaster Rovers 3". BBC Sport. 6 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  31. "Scunthorpe United 1-1 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  32. "Whiteman takes top prize at End of Season Awards". Doncaster Rovers. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  33. "Charlton 2 Doncaster 3". BBC Sport. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  34. "Mallik Wilks completes Barnsley transfer". Leeds United F.C. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  35. "Barnsley 1-3 Luton". BBC Sport. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  36. "Mallik Wilks: Hull City sign Barnsley winger on loan". BBC Sport. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  37. "Derby County 1–0 Hull City". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  38. "Reading 1–1 Hull City". BBC Sport. BBC. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  39. "Wilks Pens Permanent Deal". Hull City A.F.C. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  40. "Retained List Confirmed". Hull City A.F.C. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  41. "Mallik Wilks checks in!". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  42. "Report: Wednesday 5-0 Forest Green". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  43. "Report: Wednesday 2-3 Burton". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  44. "Footballer's brother dies in shooting". BBC Sport. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  45. "Grieving Mallik Wilks still wants to play for Leeds United at Sutton, says Garry Monk". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  46. "Three men found guilty of killing Raheem Wilks in Leeds barber's shop murder". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  47. "Former Leeds United striker Mallik Wilks to avoid jail after admitting involvement in Leeds West Indian Carnival group attack". Leeds Live. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  48. "Mallik Wilks: Hull City footballer spared jail for carnival attack". BBC News. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  49. "Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann gives update on loanee Mallik Wilks' Leeds United future". Leeds Live. 5 December 2018.
  50. "Doncaster Rovers: Grant McCann will not take 'flamboyancy' out of Mallik Wilks". Doncaster Free Press. 9 August 2018.
  51. "Hull City 3–1 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  52. "Norwich City dominate with six players in PFA Championship team of the year". BBC Sport. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  53. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  54. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  55. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  56. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  57. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  58. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  59. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  60. "Games played by Mallik Wilks in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
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