This former Wolves and Aston Villa defender is still searching for his next club.
Kortney Hause has had a rollercoaster career, to say the least. From his little-known beginnings at Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers to a successful spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers before a very up-and-down six years at Aston Villa, the central defender has quite the story to tell.
Except there’s very little on-the-field action to speak of in the last few years. Instead, it’s been an incredibly tricky time for the 30-year-old, who has suffered injury setback upon injury setback and hasn’t actually played in a professional fixture since September 2022.
That’s so long ago that Hause never featured for Villa under Unai Emery. The defender was omitted from all of Emery’s 25-man squads that were submitted to the Premier League and UEFA throughout those three years. Hause’s only game time whatsoever has been for the under-21 side – and that only began as recently as this April.
Once a promotion hero - now largely forgotten about
It’s such a shame it’s worked out this way for Hause, as he was once a superb up-and-coming prospect. The Redbridge-born defender played 10 times for England’s under-21 team in his youth and he was a reliable force during his time at Wolves, as he played for the Old Gold on 80 occasions.
Hause was never a star man at Wanderers but he is remembered fondly by many associated with the football club. When the defender swapped Molineux for Villa Park, the then Wolves sporting director Kevin Thelwell said: “On behalf of everyone at Wolves, I would like to thank Kortney for all of his efforts both on and off the pitch during the past five years.
“Kortney has been a tremendous servant to this club, providing a solid backbone to our defence in the Championship where he helped lay the foundations for Wolves’ rise to where we are today. We wish Kortney the very best in all his future endeavours.”
During his initial loan spell with Villa before his move from Wolves turned permanent for £3 million, Hause was one of the club’s promotion heroes. Although he wasn’t a regular starter throughout 2018/19, Hause still played his part as he featured in the Championship on 12 occasions, including in the 2-1 play-off final victory over Derby County.
Hause looking for next adventure
Before his string of injuries, which he sadly hasn’t ever fully got going again from, Hause made 32 Premier League appearances for Villa. He played fairly regularly under Dean Smith but unfortunately ran into a whole host of fitness problems.
Now aged 30 and a free agent following his recent contract expiry, Hause is determined to put the troubling past few years behind him. The defender believes Villa could have supported him much better throughout his torrid experiences with injuries and he’s motivated to enjoy a far more positive next chapter.
Upon his Villa departure, Hause posted to his Instagram page: "Could things have played out better if it wasn’t for the injuries and the lack of support from the club? Most definitely! No doubt! But nevertheless, making it to the Premier League isn’t a coincidence or by luck. I was made for this s—. Gotta write the ending to my own story. Still that. Gods perfect plan. Amen."
Birmingham World understands talks were recently held with Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake City, however Hause is yet to put pen to paper there or anywhere else for that matter. Where do you think Hause will end up? Are his Premier League years behind him? Will a Championship club take a punt on him? Let us know in the comments section below.
Continue Reading