A former Liverpool winger who was once compared to Raheem Sterling has signed for an eighth-tier club less than a decade after leaving the Premier League side.
Every so often, an academy product breaks through the ranks at a Premier League club and instantly gets tipped for greatness.
Some teenagers develop into world-class players, with Wayne Rooney a high-profile example, having burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton before going on to become Manchester United’s record goalscorer.
Currently, Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is arguably the most talked about youngster in world football, and despite still being 18, he has helped Barca win two La Liga crowns, one Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de Espana as well as guiding Spain to Euro 2024 glory.
Advert
However, things don’t always go as planned for young footballers, and this is the case for ex-Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe.
Ibe, now 29, was one tipped for greatness with former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp once claiming that he had “more natural ability” than Sterling back in 2016.
The 29-year-old impressed under Brendan Rodgers and played regularly under Jurgen Klopp before he signed for Bournemouth for a then-club-record £15 million.
But he did not make a positive impact at the South Coast Club and turned down a contract extension from the Cherries before allowing his deal to expire in June 2020.
An unsuccessful stint at Derby County ensued before Ibe’s Rams contract was cancelled by mutual consent in July 2021.
Earlier that year, the winger opened up about his struggles in an interview with SPORTbible’s Jack Kenmare, during which he explained how he’d found himself “in a dark place due to suffering from depression”.
A spell in Turkey with Adanaspor followed before he dropped into non-league first with Ebbsfleet United in 2023, ahead of stints with Hayes & Yeading United and Hungerford Town.
Speaking to The Guardian earlier this year, Ibe maintained that he wanted to continue playing to “reach the levels” he believes he can still achieve despite his many setbacks.
“I wouldn’t say I regret what’s happened. It’s changed me for the better,” Ibe said when reflecting on his career.
“Football is not the main accomplishment in my life. I have a deeper purpose; being a dad; being a great human being; being a brother; being a son. More meaningful stuff in life.”
But Ibe’s story is not over yet, as he signed for Isthmian South East side Sittingbourne earlier this week.
The winger had been training with the eighth-tier side, having been introduced to manager Ryan Maxwell through a mutual friend.
Topics: Football, Liverpool, Premier League, Non-League, Raheem Sterling
Luke Davies