Michael Ngoo

Michael Ayodeji D. Ngoo (born 23 October 1992)[5] is an English professional footballer who is who plays for Albanian club Tirana. He has represented England at under 19 and under 20 level.

Michael Ngoo
Personal information
Full name Michael Ayodeji D. Ngoo
Date of birth (1992-10-23) 23 October 1992
Place of birth Walthamstow, London, England[1]
Height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)[2][3][4]
Playing position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Tirana
Number 9
Youth career
2008–2009 Southend United
2009–2013 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Liverpool 0 (0)
2013 → Heart of Midlothian (loan) 15 (4)
2013 → Yeovil Town (loan) 6 (0)
2014 → Walsall (loan) 14 (1)
2014–2015 Kilmarnock 6 (0)
2016–2017 Bromley 1 (0)
2017 Oldham Athletic 13 (0)
2017– Tirana 67 (25)
2018 → Tirana B 2 (1)
National team‡
2010–2011 England U19 6 (3)
2011 England U20 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:15, 21 February 2018 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 April 2013

Club career

Early career

Ngoo began his career as a youth player for Southend United. In July 2009, he spent time on trial at Manchester United representing them in the Milk Cup at under-16 level,[6] with United winning the tournament.[7] He had attended Brampton manor school based in East Ham.

Liverpool

In September 2009, aged 16,[8] he signed for Liverpool for a fee that could reach up to £250,000.[9] During the 2010–11 season whilst representing the club's under-18 side he scored 15 goals in 21 appearances.[10] The following season he was the reserve team's top scorer.[11]

On 14 September 2012, having scored the under-21s' final goal in a 4–1 over Chelsea Ngoo revealed a T-shirt bearing the message "96 reasons 4 Justice".[12] Ngoo was booked for the tribute which came in the week that the Hillsborough Independent Panel released their report.[13] In January 2013, he was loaned to Heart of Midlothian to gain first team experience.[14]

At the end of 2013–14 season, he was released by the club.[15]

Heart of Midlothian (loan)

Having been watched by the club in several of Liverpool's under-21 games[16] on 24 January 2013, it was announced he was set to join Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) on loan until the end of the season,[17] subject to the paperwork being completed.[18] The deal was completed the following day,[19] meaning he teamed up with fellow Liverpool player Danny Wilson who was also on loan at Hearts.[20] Ngoo was given the squad number 21.[21] The following day he made his debut against Inverness in the Scottish League Cup Semi-final, scoring Hearts equalising goal.[22] Hearts won the match 5–4 on Penalties, after a 1–1 draw, with Ngoo also scoring one of the penalties.[23] On 17 March 2013, he was ultimately a losing finalist as Hearts were beaten 3–2 in the Final against St Mirren.[24] Ngoo picked up a shoulder injury[25] which he struggled with towards the end of the season[26] and forced him to miss[27] their 3–0 win over St Mirren on 4 May.[28] In all he played 17 times during his spell in Scotland, scoring five goals.[29] Ngoo commented that he believed he had improved as a player during his time with the Edinburgh side.[30]

Yeovil Town (loan)

On 10 July 2013, Ngoo signed with newly promoted Championship side Yeovil Town on loan for the 2013–14 season.[31] On 3 August 2013, Ngoo made his Yeovil debut as a half-time substitute in their 1–0 win over Millwall.[32] He made his full debut for Yeovil on 6 August 2013 in a first round League Cup tie at Southend United, he played 82 minutes before being substituted for Kieffer Moore in a 1–0 victory for the Glovers.[33] He made two substitute appearances before his next start at home to Birmingham City and away at Burnley, both matches Yeovil lost.[34][35] He started Yeovil's next home league game against Derby County, but only lasted 45 minutes in a 3–0 defeat after he was substituted for Andy Williams at half-time.[36] He was again dropped to the substitutes bench on his final two appearances for the club, twice substituted in on both occasions, playing six minutes against Reading and 11 minutes against Queens Park Rangers.[37][38]

On 9 October 2013, Ngoo returned to the Liverpool after his loan spell was ended by mutual agreement.[39]

Walsall (loan)

On 31 January 2014, Ngoo joined Walsall on loan.[40] On 8 February 2014, Ngoo made his debut against Milton Keynes Dons, he went on to miss a penalty in a 3–0 defeat. On 18 April 2014, Ngoo scored his first goal for the club, with an equalising header in a League One match against Carlisle United in a 1–1 draw.[41]

Kilmarnock

On 15 August 2014, Ngoo joined Kilmarnock on a two-year deal.[42]

Bromley

Following his release from Kilmarnock, Ngoo began training with National League side Bromley. The club announced his signing on 19 November 2016 and he made his debut the same day by coming off the bench against Chester in the 78th minute.[43]

Oldham Athletic

On 20 January 2017, Ngoo signed for League One side Oldham Athletic on a short term contract until the end of the season.[44] Ngoo was released by Oldham at the end of the 2016–17 season.[45]

Tirana

In September 2017 he signed for Albanian side Tirana on a one-year contract, with the possibility of a renewal for a second year.[46] Ngoo made his official debut for the club in the 2017 Albanian Supercup against Kukësi, entering in the last minutes as Tirana won 1–0 to claim their 11th title.[47] Tirana also set a record by becoming the first Albanian First Division side to win the Supercup.[47] His league debut occurred on 16 September opening matchday of Albanian First Division against Iliria Fushë-Krujë, entering in the second half as Tirana won 1–0 at home.[48] His first score-sheet contributions came in his third ever appearance for the club on 24 September, netting the second Tirana goal in an eventual 3–0 win at Pogradeci.[49] Three days later, in the returning leg of 2017–18 Albanian Cup first round, Ngoo scored both goals as Tirana won 2–0 at home to secure progression to next round 4–1 on aggregate.[50]

Ngoo was recovered from his long-term injury in September 2018,[51] making his top flight debut on 16th in a 3–1 win over Luftëtari Gjirokastër, entering in last minutes of the match in place of Dejan Blazhevski.[52] He endured a difficult start of the season, as he was suspended for 24 hours on 16 October by newly appointed coach Ardian Mema for unacceptable behaviour;[53] the incident happened during a training session when Ngoo refused Mema's orders and also talked back at him.[53] He was also fined with €500, and was an unused substitute in Tirana's 0–1 defeat at Flamurtari Vlorë.[54] He was suspended again on 23 October for an unlimited time,[55] and in the finals days of October, Ngoo was sent to train with the reserve squad.[56] He made his debut with them on 11 November by scoring in a 3–2 win over Ada Velipojë.[57] The club decided to bring him back at the senior squad two days later.[58] He played in a friendly win over Korabi Peshkopi on 16 November, scoring one of the goals,[59] and was also involved in another debate, this time with teammate Gentian Muça, on who to take a penalty kick;[60] the verbal confrontation almost went physical. Eventually it was Ngoo who took the penalty but he was unsuccessful. The following day, he was once again suspended by the club and was forced to train alone.[61]

He scored his first top flight goal for the club from an individual effort on 8 December 2018 in a 4–0 win over Kastrioti Krujë.[62] Ngoo improved greatly in the second half of the season, becoming a fan favourite and the on-pitch leader. He also improved his relationship with coach Mema, who in March 2019 praised his performances.[63][64][65] His first goal of 2019 came in the first leg of Albanian Cup round of 16 tie against Flamurtari Vlorë,[66] which turned out to be vital as Tirana progressed in quarter-finals 2–1 on aggregate. Again in the competition, Ngoo scored a brace against Laçi in the quarter-final's first leg played at home.[67]

International career

Ngoo represented England at under-19 level.[68] He was called up to the England squad for the U-20 World Cup in Colombia in 2011,[69] making his debut[68] on 1 August 2011, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute[70] in a group match against Argentina, replacing Callum McManaman in a 0–0 draw.[71] In all he made three appearances at the tournament.[68] He is also eligible to represent Nigeria through his mother, and Cameroon through his grandfather.[72]

Style of play

Ngoo has compared to Italian striker Mario Balotelli for his behavior and relationships with managers.[73] The player himself, however, has denied the comparisons, despite holding the squad number 45, a number which Balotelii has wear for most of his career.[74] In the field, Ngoo possesses a powerful header and is also an areal threat, due to his height. Despite his large stature, Ngoo is uncommonly agile for a player of his size, and is able to play well with his back to goal, defending the ball with his large and strong body. He has also been praised for his selfishness, and his vision, being able to find his teammates with accuracy from close and long range; despite being a target man, Ngoo was the top assist provider for Tirana in the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons.[75][76]

Career statistics
As of match played 21 September 2019[77][78]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool
2012–13[79]
 Premier League 0000000000
2013–14[80]
 Premier League 000000—00
Total 000000—00
Heart of Midlothian (loan)
2012–13[79]
 Scottish Premier League 1540021—175
Yeovil Town (loan)
2013–14[80]
 Championship 600010—70
Walsall (loan)
2013–14[80]
 League One 1410000—141
Kilmarnock
2014–15[81]
 Scottish Premiership 600010—70
Bromley
2016–17[82]
 National League 100000—10
Oldham Athletic
2016–17[82]
 League One 1300000—130
Tirana 2017–18 Albanian First Division 19116200102613
2018–19 Albanian Superliga 22486——3010
2019–20 Albanian Superliga 4200——42
Total 471714800106025
Career totals 10222148411012131

Honours
Heart of Midlothian
Tirana

References
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  51. "Fundi i ankthit, Tirana tani shpreson për golat. Kthehet në fushë Majkëll Ngo" [The end of anxious, Tirana now hopes for the goals. Michael Ngoo returns in the field] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  52. "Pikante Tirana-Luftëtari/ Hoxhallarin e spiunon arbitri i katërt, zbulohet tersi i bardhebluve" [The spicies Tirana-Luftëtari/ Hoxhallari gets spied by the fourth referee, the bad luck of white&blue unveiled] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  53. "Plas te Tirana/ Trajneri Mema përplaset me sulmuesin afrikan, e pezullon" [Explodes at Tirana/ Coach Mema clashes with African striker, he suspends him] (in Albanian). Ora News. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  54. "Jo vetëm pezullim, Tirana gjobit anglezin Ngoo. Mbetet edhe jashtë titullarëve" [Not only suspension, Tirana fines the English Ngoo. Remains out of starters] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
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  57. "Ngo, "leksion" nga Tirana B. Bardhebluve u rikthehet edhe "gladiatori" Gentian Muça" [Ngoo, "lecture" from Tirana B. For the white&blues returns the "gladiator" Gentian Muça] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  58. "E PLOTË/ Presion nga Partizani, Tirana rikthen Majkëll Ngonë. Zbardhen prapaskenat, klubi kundër trajnerit" [Full/ Pressure from Partizani, Tirana brings back Michael Ngoo. Behind the scenes, the club against the coach] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  59. "Ngo rikthehet me gol te Tirana, bardheblutë fitojnë në miqësore përballë Korabit" [Ngoo returns with a goal at Tirana, white&blues win in friendly versus Korabi] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
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  61. "Ndëshkimi i tretë brenda një muaji, Tirana dënon sërish Ngonë" [The third punishment inside a month, Tirana sentences Ngoo once again] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
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  63. "Mema: Leksionin e dha Atletiko, ju tregoj si Ngo u bë lider" [Mema: Atletico gave the lecture, I tell you how Ngoo become the leader] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  64. ""Ngo më i miri, grindej me veten", rinovimi dhe Tirana në sytë e Halilit" ["Ngo the best, he fought with himself", the renewal and Tirana in the eyes of Halili] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  65. "Majkëll Ngo, blerja e vërtetë e Tiranës" [Michael Ngoo, the real purchase of Tirana] (in Albanian). Gazeta Shqiptare. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  66. "Tiranë bind në Kupë, mposht Flamurtarin" [Tirana convinces in cup, defeats Flamurtari] (in Albanian). a2news.com. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  67. "VIDEO – Tirana bind, Ngo dhe Hasani "djegin" Laçin" [Video – Tirana convinces, Ngoo and Hasani see off Laçi] (in Albanian). Sport Ekspres. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
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  76. "Tirana "zhduk" Grecën dhe Ngonë, bardheblutë humbasin dy mbretër të asisteve" [Tirana "wipe" Greca and Ngoo, whiteblues loses two kings of assists] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
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