Muzzy Izzet

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Izzet signed as a schoolboy for Chelsea but never made a first-team appearance. He moved to Leicester City on loan in March 1996 for the rest of the season, scoring one goal. After Leicester beat Crystal Palace in the play-offs, the move became permanent for £800,000. He formed a key midfield partnership with Neil Lennon and helped Leicester win the League Cup in 1996–97 and 1999–2000, and reach the final in 1998–99. He submitted a transfer request in autumn 2001 but rejected a move to Middlesbrough. After Leicester's relegation and administration, he withdrew his transfer request in March 2003, and the club secured promotion a month later. In January 2004, Leicester rejected £500,000 bids from Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers. Leicester were relegated at the end of 2003–04, and Izzet left as the club could not afford his wages. He joined Birmingham City on a free transfer in June 2004, scoring once, but a knee injury from a challenge by Olivier Bernard on 3 October 2004 limited his appearances, leading to his retirement in June 2006. He made a one-off return for Thurmaston Town in November 2009. Izzet made nine appearances for Turkey, debuting at Euro 2000 against Sweden and featuring as a substitute in the 2002 World Cup semi-final against Brazil. He now runs a football academy with Steve Walsh, published his autobiography Muzzy: My Story in September 2015, and is an ambassador for Dorothy Goodman School.

In Their Own Story

In the 1996 play-off final against Crystal Palace, Izzet secured Leicester's promotion to the Premier League. He went on to win the League Cup twice with the club (1996–97 and 1999–2000). During the 2003–04 season, he was the standout player, creating nearly a third of his team's goals before Leicester were relegated and could no longer afford his £30,000 per week wages.

Reader's Guide

Izzet is remembered as a standout midfielder for Leicester City, known for his creativity and assists. He was the Premier League's top assister in 2003–04, contributing 14 of Leicester's 48 goals (29%). He won the Premier League Player of the Month award in September 1999 and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2002–03 First Division. His international career with Turkey included nine caps and a bronze medal at the 2002 World Cup.

Did You Know?

• Izzet's younger brother Kemal also became a professional footballer, and their father, a Turkish Cypriot, pushed both into the sport.
• Izzet assisted 14 of Leicester's 48 goals in the 2003–04 season, accounting for 29% of the club's goals.
• He rejected a move to Middlesbrough in 2001 because he did not want to be seen as 'jumping ship'.
• Izzet's only goal for Birmingham City was an equaliser against Bolton Wanderers in September 2004.
• He made a shock return to football in November 2009 for Leicestershire Senior League side Thurmaston Town but never played for them again due to knee pain.