Adam Idah
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Adam Idah is an Irish professional footballer who currently plays as a centre-forward for Celtic FC. Born on February 11, 2001, in Cork, Ireland, Idah has quickly risen through the ranks of professional football. He began his senior career with Norwich City in 2019, making his debut in the EFL Cup. Idah's potential was evident early on, as he scored a hat-trick in his FA Cup debut against Preston North End in January 2020. He continued to develop at Norwich, making appearances in both the Premier League and Championship. In February 2024, Idah moved on loan to Celtic, where he made an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal in the 2024 Scottish Cup final against Rangers. His performances impressed Celtic, leading to a permanent transfer in August 2024. Idah signed a five-year contract with the Scottish giants, cementing his place in their squad and setting the stage for the next phase of his promising career.
Early life & youth football
Adam Idah's early life and youth career were rooted in Cork, Ireland. Born to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother, Idah attended Douglas Community School. His football journey began at the age of six when he joined College Corinthians in 2007. Idah spent a decade with the Corinthians, progressing through their youth levels and honing his skills. In 2017, his talent caught the attention of Norwich City, and he joined their academy as a scholar. Idah quickly made an impact in Norwich's youth setup, scoring nine goals in 15 games for the Under-18 side in his first season. His performances were outstanding, including two hat-tricks against Barnsley in the FA Youth Cup and Tottenham Hotspur in the U18 league. These achievements led to Idah winning both the Norwich Under-18 player of the season and the academy player of the year awards.
Professional career
In his first season with Norwich's Under-18 side, Idah showcased his potential by scoring nine goals in 15 games in the Professional Development League. His performances were particularly notable in cup competitions, where he scored a 10-minute hat-trick against Barnsley in the FA Youth Cup and another hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in the U18 league. These achievements led to Idah winning both the Norwich Under-18 player of the season and the academy player of the year awards, marking him as a player to watch.Idah's second season at Norwich saw him progress to the Under-23 side, where he continued to impress. Playing in Premier League 2, he scored 12 goals in 19 games, demonstrating his ability to perform at a higher level. His consistent performances earned him a nomination for the Premier League 2 player of the season, further highlighting his potential.On July 4, 2019, Idah signed his first professional contract with Norwich City, committing to the club until 2023. This contract was a testament to the faith Norwich had in his abilities and potential. During the 2019 pre-season, Idah was given the opportunity to train with the first team and was included in Norwich's squad for their pre-season tour to Germany. He made an immediate impact, coming on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with Arminia Bielefeld and then starting and scoring twice in a friendly against Bonner SC.Idah's senior debut for Norwich came on August 27, 2019, in an EFL Cup match against Crawley Town. Although Norwich lost 1-0, Idah played the full 90 minutes, gaining valuable first-team experience. His Premier League debut followed on January 1, 2020, when he came on as a substitute against Crystal Palace.However, it was in the FA Cup that Idah truly announced himself to the wider football world. On January 4, 2020, in just his third senior appearance for Norwich, Idah started in the FA Cup third round match against Preston North End. In a remarkable performance, he scored a hat-trick, becoming the youngest player in Norwich City's history to score a hat-trick in a first-team fixture. This performance caught the attention of many, including Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, who hinted at a potential senior international call-up for Idah.Despite this breakthrough performance, Idah's playing time in the Premier League remained limited during the 2019-20 season. He made 12 Premier League appearances but failed to score, as Norwich struggled and were ultimately relegated.The 2020-21 season in the Championship provided more opportunities for Idah. He made 17 league appearances, scoring three goals. While not a regular starter, Idah was often used as an impact substitute, gaining valuable experience in a successful season that saw Norwich win the Championship and secure promotion back to the Premier League.Idah's first Premier League goal came in the 2021-22 season, in a 2-1 win against Everton on January 15, 2022. This goal came in his first Premier League start at Carrow Road, Norwich's home ground. Despite this milestone, Idah's season was cut short by a knee injury in February 2022, which required surgery and ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.The 2022-23 season saw Norwich back in the Championship following relegation. Idah made 25 league appearances, scoring two goals. He also scored once in the EFL Cup. While these statistics might seem modest, they reflect Idah's ongoing development and the challenges of establishing oneself in a competitive team environment. In February 2024, Adam Idah joined Celtic on loan from Norwich City for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. This move provided Idah with an opportunity to gain more playing time and experience in a competitive environment.Idah's impact at Celtic was immediate and significant. He made 19 appearances for the club during his loan spell, scoring an impressive nine goals. His performances were crucial in Celtic's successful campaign, which saw them secure both the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish Cup.One of the highlights of Idah's loan spell came in the 2024 Scottish Cup final against Rangers at Hampden Park. Idah scored the winning goal in this match, securing the League and Cup double for Celtic and endearing himself to the club's supporters.Following his successful loan spell, Celtic moved to make the transfer permanent. On August 14, 2024, Idah returned to Celtic on a permanent basis, signing a five-year contract. The transfer fee was reported to be £9.5 million, with Norwich receiving £8.5 million upfront and £1 million in potential add-ons. The deal also included a 15% sell-on clause for Norwich.
National team
Adam Idah's international career has been focused on representing the Republic of Ireland. He has featured for Ireland at various youth levels, including the U16, U17, U18, U19, and U21 teams. Idah's performances at the club level caught the attention of senior national team managers, with Mick McCarthy hinting at a potential call-up following Idah's hat-trick for Norwich in January 2020. On August 24, 2020, Idah received his first senior call-up for the UEFA Nations League games against Bulgaria and Finland. He made his senior international debut on September 3, 2020, in a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria. Since then, Idah has continued to be part of the Irish national team setup, earning caps and contributing to their campaigns in various competitions.
Player’s style
Adam Idah's style of play is characterized by his versatility and physical presence as a centre-forward. Standing at 1.90 meters (6'3"), Idah possesses a strong aerial ability, making him a threat from crosses and set-pieces. His height, combined with his pace, allows him to be an effective target man who can hold up play and bring teammates into the game. Idah is known for his clinical finishing, as demonstrated by his hat-trick performances at youth level and his goal-scoring record in senior football. He has the ability to play across the front line, occasionally featuring as a winger, which showcases his adaptability. Idah's work rate and willingness to press defenders make him valuable in both attacking and defensive phases of the game. As a young player, he continues to develop his tactical understanding and technical skills, with his performances for Celtic and the Irish national team indicating his potential to become a well-rounded and impactful striker at the highest level.