Football
Exclusive: Former Ireland International Jeff Hendrick Wanted by Wigan Athletic
Former Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick, at 33 years old, is being sought after by League One team Wigan Athletic. With an impressive career history, including stints at Burnley and Newcastle United, Hendrick is eager to continue playing at a high level. He has also expressed interest in playing League One football for the first time. Hendrick, with an international pedigree and over 400 career appearances, is looking for regular playing time as he nears retirement.
Republic of Ireland Training Session and Press Conference by Stephen McCarthy | Getty Images
Former Republic of Ireland international Jeff Hendrick is wanted by League One Wigan Athletic, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The ex-Newcastle United, Burnley and Derby County midfielder is hungry to extend his excellent career by at least another season.
And our sources have learnt the experienced 33-year-old, capped 79 times by his country, is open to playing League One football for the first time in the twilight of his career.
Kendrick enjoyed four seasons with Burnley in the Premier League, playing 122 times in the top-flight for the Clarets.
He then joined the Newcastle on a free-transfer in August 2020 on a four-year deal, but the Irishman managed just 25 Premier League games across three seasons and spent much of his time on loan during his stay at St James’ Park.
An initial loan spell with QPR in the Championship was followed by a full season for Reading in the second tier, before a brief stint at Sheffield Wednesday.
Last season he rejoined boyhood club Derby County on a short-term contract until the end of the season.
INTERNATIONAL PEDIGREE
But the seasoned international didn’t play a single game for the Rams and was released at the end of the season.
Now Kendrick, who has scored 44 goals in 449 career appearances, wants the chance to play regular football before he eventually retires after a fine career.
He played for 11 consecutive years for the national side and was a key player for Burnley as they battled every season to stay in the Premier League.
Rumours have circulated that Kendrick would consider a move to Scotland, but our sources have learnt the Dublin-born midfielder is set on staying in England and playing longer.
Kendrick started his career with Derby and played more than 200 matches before joining Burnley for £10.5million in 2016.
He has played exactly 150 games in the Premier League and 262 appearances in the Championship.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.