Anthony Stokes
Anthony Christopher Stokes (born 25 July 1988) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a striker . He began his senior career with Arsenal in the English Premier League , and established himself with a successful loan spell with Falkirk in 2006, scoring 14 goals in 16 Scottish Premier League games. [ 4 ] He then signed for Sunderland in a £2 million deal, [ 5 ] but struggled to hold down a place in the Sunderland first team. He moved back to Scottish football when Hibernian signed him for £500,000 in August 2009, and he scored over 20 goals in his only full season there. [ 6 ] Stokes then moved to boyhood heroes Celtic for a fee of around £1.2 million. [ 7 ] He played regularly for Celtic under the management of Neil Lennon and enjoyed success, but fell out of favour under Ronny Deila . In the latter part of the 2015–16 season, he was loaned to Hibernian, who he helped win the 2015–16 Scottish Cup . After a season with Blackburn Rovers , Stokes joined Hibernian for a third time in 2017, but was released in 2018. He then had short spells with Greek club Apollon Smyrnis , Iranian clubs Tractor and Persepolis , and Turkish club Adana Demirspor , before returning to Scotland with Livingston in 2020. Stokes also represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level, and played in nine full internationals for the senior team between 2007 and 2014. — Wikipedia
- Position
- FW
- Nationality
- Ireland
- Birthplace
- Dublin
- Born
- 25 Jul 1988
- Height
- 180 cm
Stokes was transferred by Arsenal to Sunderland for £2 million in January 2007. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] Celtic and Charlton Athletic had also been interested in the player, but Stokes revealed that he was greatly influenced by Sunderland manager and former Irish international , Roy Keane , in making his ultimate decision. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 18 ] Stokes was originally handed the 26 shirt at Sunderland, but after the departure of Jon Stead to Sheffield United he was given the number 9 shirt. Stokes made his Sunderland debut a few days later, and crossed to set up David Connolly to give Sunderland a one-goal win over Ipswich . [ 19 ] Stokes scored his first goal for Sunderland on 10 February 2007 against Plymouth Argyle , scoring from 20 yards after coming on as a substitute. [ 20 ] Stokes was barred from The Glass Spider nightclub in Sunderland , after Keane blamed it for distracting Stokes from his training. [ 21 ] The nightclub owner offered to revoke the ban after the 2007–08 season and to give Stokes a complimentary bottle of champagne. [ 21 ] Stokes then scored his first Premier League goal; a last-minute winner against Derby County that took Sunderland out of the relegation zone. [ 22 ] Before the start of the 2008–09 season, Stokes lost the Sunderland number 9 shirt and was handed the squad number 44 instead. [ 23 ] On 23 September 2008, Stokes scored two late goals to level a League Cup tie against Northampton Town . [ 24 ] On 17 October 2008, Stokes agreed a three-month loan deal to Sheffield United, with the possibility of extending it for the season. [ 25 ] Stokes again took the shirt that was previously vacated by Jon Stead , this time number 8. Stokes made his debut for the Blades in the local derby against Sheffield Wednesday a few days later, coming on as a second-half substitute. [ 26 ] Stokes started his time at Bramall Lane as a first team regular but was soon dropped to the bench and returned to Sunderland having made 12 appearances but failed to score a goal. [ 27 — Wikipedia
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