50 Facts About Willo Flood

William Robert Flood was born on 10 April 1985 and is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Willo Flood earned 15 caps for his country at under-20 and under-21 levels.

Willo Flood represented eight clubs in England and Scotland including Manchester City, Cardiff City, Dundee United, Celtic, Middlesbrough and Aberdeen.

Willo Flood began his football career at Cherry Orchard, joining at seven years old.

At the age of 14, Willo Flood dislocated his patella playing in the All-Ireland Final, describing it the injury as "very sore".

Immediately after joining Manchester City, Willo Flood was assigned to the academy.

On 15 March 2004, Willo Flood was loaned out to Third Division side Rochdale for a month.

Willo Flood appeared in the next six matches for Rochdale, as the club were trying to avoid relegation.

Since joining Coventry, Willo Flood received a handful of first team football, playing in the midfield position.

However, Willo Flood received criticism for his performance while playing for Coventry's reserve team.

However, Willo Flood found his first team opportunities limited, due to competition, and was placed on the substitute bench as a result.

Willo Flood's debut resulted in a red card before half time on the opening day of the season against Aberdeen, after collecting two cautions, and his second match, for the reserves, resulted in the same outcome.

Willo Flood quickly established himself in the first team, playing in the midfield position, and his performances were praised by manager Craig Levein, describing him as "a really good, creative player".

Willo Flood made four starts in the first four league matches of the season before he suffered a hamstring injury that saw him missed two matches.

Four years on, Willo Flood admitted that the penalty left him with bitter memories when he compared the penalty miss to Manchester United's match in the League Cup against Sunderland on 22 January 2014.

When his move to Celtic came to light, Manager Craig Levein urged Willo Flood to stay at Dundee United, rather than joining Celtic, and the player, himself, agreed.

Willo Flood joined Celtic on 30 January 2009, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, for the team he supported as a boy.

Willo Flood was given a number sixteen shirt, previously worn by his idol Roy Keane.

Willo Flood made two more starts, coming from the Scottish League Cup match against Falkirk and a UEFA Europa League match against Rapid Wien.

In December 2009, Willo Flood admitted he "regretted" joining Celtic, describing it as "a mistake".

On 13 January 2010, it was announced that Willo Flood had left Celtic for Championship side Middlesbrough, along with his teammates Barry Robson and Chris Killen.

Willo Flood made nine starts for the club, playing in midfield.

At first, there was no suggestion of major knee injury, but Willo Flood was out for the rest of the season.

Willo Flood made his first appearance from injury when he played 60 minutes for the club's reserve Team against Leeds United reserves.

On 10 May 2011, it was announced on the club's website that Willo Flood would be released along with Maximilian Haas and Andrew Davies.

On 24 May 2011, Willo Flood returned to Dundee United, where he signed a two-year contract with the club.

Former teammate Craig Conway, who just left the club for Cardiff City, was reported to have said that Willo Flood's return was a "good piece of business" and the Arabs supporters will enjoy his arrival.

Willo Flood's season did not impact him, as he found himself being out with injuries and suspension on five separate occasions throughout the season.

New appointed manager Jackie McNamara, who replaced Peter Houston, said he was keen for Willo Flood to stay at Dundee United.

On 31 May 2013, it was announced that Willo Flood had signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen.

Manager Derek McInnes was keen to sign Willo Flood, describing him as an "ideal" signing.

However, Willo Flood suffered a hamstring injury that saw him missed one match.

Willo Flood found himself plagued by injuries that affected his third season at Aberdeen.

Willo Flood spoke out about his departure from Aberdeen, citing his desire for first team football.

Willo Flood returned to Dundee United in July 2016 for his fourth spell with the club, initially signing a one-year deal.

Willo Flood captained Dundee United on four occasions between 13 August 2016 and 17 September 2016.

On 21 June 2017, Willo Flood signed a contract extension with the club and aimed to help Dundee United reach promotion to Scottish Premiership .

Willo Flood began to take up the captain duties in absent of Tam Scobbie throughout the season.

Willo Flood revealed he rejected a chance to stay at the club and was offered a youth coach role but he rejected it to continue playing.

However, Willo Flood left Dunfermline just over a week after signing with the club, as he had received an offer from Indonesian club Bali United.

Willo Flood announced his retirement from football aged 34, with the aim of pursuing a career as a football agent, in August 2019.

Willo Flood previously represented Republic of Ireland U16, Republic of Ireland U17, Republic of Ireland U18 and Republic of Ireland U19.

In January 2003, Willo Flood was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-20 squad for the first time, but he did not play.

Later in the same year, Willo Flood was called up to the FIFA World Youth Championship in UAE.

Willo Flood played four times in the tournament, as Republic of Ireland U20 were eliminated in the Round of 16 against Colombia U20.

In October 2003, Willo Flood was called up for the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad.

Willo Flood was called up to the U21 squad for the Madeira International Tournament in February 2004.

Willo Flood began to feature for the U21 squad regularly between 2004 and 2006.

Willo Flood has a brother, Shane, and grew up in a family of Celtic supporters.

The ordeal left Willo Flood with recurring nightmares, resulting in him needing counselling and being unable to live alone.