Former Player: Muzzy Izzet

Muzzy Izzet started his career as a schoolboy at Chelsea, and in spite of spending three years at the club never broke into the first team picture. He went on loan to Leicester in 1996 and turned himself into an integral part of their team, leading them to spend £800,000 bringing the young midfielder in on a permanent deal.

It was at Leicester where Izzet built his footballing reputation as they put together a string of solid premier league form, finishing mid table for three years running with Muzzy forming a formidable partnership with Neil Lennon in the centre of their midfield. This period of success at the club also saw Martin O’Neill write his name in the history books, leading the club to two League Cup titles and a further League Cup final. Izzet went on to make 260 appearances for the club.

In spite of persistently being linked with moves away from Filbert Street, the midfielder stayed with the club until 2004. Leicester at one point declared their asking price for the player as £6million, but after he had expressed a desire to leave the club, they reportedly were only offered a fraction of their valuation. When he eventually moved on, it was at the end of his contract. He signed a three year deal with Birmingham.

Unfortunately, Muzzy’s time at Birmingham was injury plagued, and he managed just 26 appearances over three years for the club before his hand was forced into retirement.

Perhaps his most glorious moment was representing Turkey at the 2002 world cup. He made 8 appearances in total for the country he chose to represent (Izzet was half English too).

In 2009 he turned out for a low league Leicestershire club called Thurmaston Town, he made one appearance for the minnows – something of a cameo.

Muzzy Izzet, The North Stand salutes you!

Ben

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