15-10-2023, 12:33
Former Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe has joined National League club Ebbsfleet.
The 27-year-old has made 119 Premier League appearances and featured in the Europa League while at Anfield.
The former England Under-21s player spent four years at Liverpool, making 41 appearances, and had loan spells with Birmingham and Derby before a move to Bournemouth and a spell in Turkey.
"I just want to get back out there, show people what I can do again and play football," he said.
Ibe was an unused substitute on Saturday as Ebbsfleet drew with Slough in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.
He was just 15 when he made his English Football League (EFL) debut for Wycombe in 2011. After signing for Liverpool the following year, he made his Premier League debut aged 18.
In 2021 Ibe spoke out about how he had been in a "dark place" and suffering from depression.
He told the Ebbsfleet website: "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. The way Ebbsfleet have helped me and put a process in place so I can be ready has been really supportive."
Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb added: "This is a signing that will generate a lot of discussion outside our club but for us and for Jordon it is only about Ebbsfleet United and getting him back on the pitch to show us what we know he can do.
"Like many of us in our club and the world generally, Jordon has had his personal battles and setbacks, but he has made brave decisions to talk about those issues, made a genuine effort to seek assistance and applied tools daily to improve his overall health."
The 27-year-old has made 119 Premier League appearances and featured in the Europa League while at Anfield.
The former England Under-21s player spent four years at Liverpool, making 41 appearances, and had loan spells with Birmingham and Derby before a move to Bournemouth and a spell in Turkey.
"I just want to get back out there, show people what I can do again and play football," he said.
Ibe was an unused substitute on Saturday as Ebbsfleet drew with Slough in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.
He was just 15 when he made his English Football League (EFL) debut for Wycombe in 2011. After signing for Liverpool the following year, he made his Premier League debut aged 18.
In 2021 Ibe spoke out about how he had been in a "dark place" and suffering from depression.
He told the Ebbsfleet website: "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. The way Ebbsfleet have helped me and put a process in place so I can be ready has been really supportive."
Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb added: "This is a signing that will generate a lot of discussion outside our club but for us and for Jordon it is only about Ebbsfleet United and getting him back on the pitch to show us what we know he can do.
"Like many of us in our club and the world generally, Jordon has had his personal battles and setbacks, but he has made brave decisions to talk about those issues, made a genuine effort to seek assistance and applied tools daily to improve his overall health."
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