When Willo overflow left his rival Dundee United for Aberdeen, many wondered if money had motivated his move to a team that had finished lower than Dundee United, many saw it as a step back. However, it is quite obvious that the hardworking midfielder joined a team from Aberdeen, which was very popular in Scottish football.
The 29-year-old was born in Dublin and learned his trade playing for Leinster senior league club Cherry Orchard, a club that has produced other players such as Stoke City’s Jon Daly, Connor Sammon and Glen Whelan.
Playing in the cherry orchard at only 14 years old and under the age of 21, Willo overflow began to arouse the interest of English clubs such as Aston Villa, Preston North End, Willo chose Manchester City at the age of 15.
After playing in various youth teams with Manchester City, he finally made his debut at the age of 18 in a European Cup match against the Welsh team New Saints on August 28, 2003.
After only 12 games in total for City, Willo was loaned to Rochdale and Coventry City played 33 games in 2 seasons with an injury-plagued season at Rochdale in 2004.
By the end of the 2005-06 season, it was clear that Willo had fallen out of favor with Manchester City, and he was looking for a new challenge in the West in the form of Cardiff City, who signed him.
Willo again struggled to make an impact in the games. When he was in the first team, it was on the right wing, and if people look at him these days, you can clearly see that the aggressive midfielder does not play like a right winger.
The 5′ 6 defensive midfielder found it difficult to settle in Ninian Park and joined Scottish Premiership team Dundee United on loan for the 2007-08 season. In overflow’s first two appearances for United, he was sent off on both occasions, his second for a quick free-kick, when the referee had not allowed it.
However, after a few games in the SPL, he made a big impression with his demonstrations of all actions, in which he covered every blade of grass. The following season, Willo re-signed a full-season loan deal with Dundee United and maintained his consistency, whereas in previous seasons he had struggled to do so.
After two impressive seasons in the SPL, Willo’s contract with Cardiff City was over, so he decided to continue in Scottish football, but this time for the Scottish giants Celtic. Willo’s only 6 months at the hoops were frustrating because he only played 6 times and went down in history as one of the worst CELTIC recruits.
In 2010, Willo overflow joined former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesborough along with teammates Barry Robson, Scott Macdonald and Steven Macmanus. After impressing at the start of the season, Willo picked up an unfortunate injury and failed to make another appearance for Middlesborough when he was told shortly afterwards that he would be sacked.
In May 2011, Dundee United saved Willo’s career again by signing him to a two-year contract. During the 2011/12 season, Willo was not as effective as during his previous stays at the Tannadice Club.
But as the following season was coming to an end, Willo overflow undoubtedly played the best football of his eventful career by helping Dundee United to finish in the top 6 for the 6th consecutive time.
After two impressive seasons in the SPL, Willo’s contract with Cardiff City was over, so he decided to continue in Scottish football, but this time for the Scottish giants Celtic. Willo’s only 6 months at the hoops were frustrating because he only played 6 times and went down in history as one of the worst CELTIC recruits.
In 2010, Willo overflow joined former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesborough along with teammates Barry Robson, Scott Macdonald and Steven Macmanus. After impressing at the start of the season, Willo picked up an unfortunate injury and failed to make another appearance for Middlesborough when he was told shortly afterwards that he would be sacked.
In May 2011, Dundee United saved Willo’s career again by signing him to a two-year contract. During the 2011/12 season, Willo was not as effective as during his previous stays at the Tannadice Club.
But as the following season was coming to an end, Willo overflow undoubtedly played the best football of his eventful career by helping Dundee United to finish in the top 6 for the 6th consecutive time.
