Jordon Ibe’s turbulent post-Liverpool career has taken another twist, with the winger leaving non-league Sittingbourne – and the UK – after 17 days to join his 13th club.
Ibe has departed England to sign a two-year contract with Lokomotiv Sofia, who are currently 11th in the Bulgarian First League.
The 29-year-old has taken the No. 33 shirt he has worn many times throughout his career, including at Wycombe, Liverpool, Bournemouth and Adanaspor.
His move to Lokomotiv Sofia, with whom he is contracted to 2027, brings him to the 13th club of his career after a brief spell with English eighth-tier side Sittingbourne FC.
Why did Jordon Ibe leave non-league Sittingbourne?
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 2, 2015: Liverpool's Jordon Ibe celebrates scoring the fifth goal against Southampton during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match at St. Mary's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ibe was announced as a Sittingbourne player on October 28, with the non-league side expressing their pride at being able to aid “his journey to rediscover the joy of football.”
“Our goal is simple: to see Jordon perform at his best,” their statement continued.
“Nothing would make us happier than to see him excel over the coming months and return to full-time football – a success that would reflect both his hard work and the club’s commitment to development.”
While Sittingbourne will have hoped to benefit from Ibe’s obvious talents for longer, there had always been an understanding that his association was with a view to moving up the ladder again.
The Kent side are yet to release a statement on the winger’s departure but his motivations will no doubt be understood.
What happened to Jordon Ibe after leaving Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 9, 2019: AFC Bournemouth's Jordon Ibe (L) and Liverpool's Andy Robertson during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That Ibe has found himself playing non-league football in his 20s is remarkable considering not only the potential he showed at Liverpool, but also the fee they received upon his move to Bournemouth in 2016.
Bournemouth paid a club-record £15 million to secure the services of a player who featured 58 times for the Reds’ first team – including 33 under Jurgen Klopp.
Jordon Ibe’s 13 clubs: Charlton (youth), Wycombe, Liverpool, Birmingham (loan), Derby (loan), Bournemouth, Derby, Adanyaspor, Ebbsfleet United, Hayes & Yeading United, Hungerford Town, Umea, Sittingbourne, Lokomotiv Sofia
However truthfully they never saw him reach the heights many expected, and he was released in 2020 before a free transfer to Derby.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, February 26, 2016: Liverpool's Pedro Chirivella, Joao Carlos Teixeira and Jordon Ibe during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the Football League Cup Final against Manchester City. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Battling mental health problems, Ibe later took in spells with Adanaspor, Ebbsfleet United, Hayes & Yeading United, Hungerford Town and briefly Swedish side Umea FC.
Issues with his work permit saw his stint at Umea end before he could feature in a competitive game and that saw him seek regular football at Sittingbourne – where the former Charlton and Wycombe youth played only twice.
Lokomotiv Sofia will play Cherno More on Saturday, in their first game since Ibe’s arrival.