Bernie Ibini-Isei

Bernie Ibini-Isei
Bernie Ibini-Isei
Born	Bernie Alpha Ibini-Isei; September 12, 1992 (age 34); Nigeria
Other names	Bernie Ibini
Occupation	Professional soccer player
Years active	2009–2023
Known for	Soccer striker and winger, played for multiple clubs including Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC, Club Brugge, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Lion City Sailors; represented Australia internationally

Bernie Alpha Ibini-Isei (born 12 September 1992), commonly referred to as Bernie Ibini, is a professional soccer player who operates primarily as a striker or winger. His latest club affiliation was with the Singapore Premier League side Lion City Sailors. Though born in Nigeria, Ibini-Isei has represented Australia at the international level.

Early life

Having migrated from Nigeria to Australia during his childhood, Bernie Ibini-Isei was raised in Sydney’s Canterbury-Bankstown area. His enthusiasm for soccer developed early on, joining the local team Earlwood Wanderers when he was six years old.

He is the brother of Princess Ibini-Isei, who plays professionally for Sydney FC in the W-League and is also a member of the Australian national team.

Club career

Ibini’s football journey began at youth level with Blacktown City in the New South Wales Premier League, where his talent was quickly recognized, leading to his enrollment at Westfields Sports High School.

Central Coast Mariners

In 2009, Ibini became part of the Central Coast Mariners youth setup competing in the A-League. That same year, he earned the Golden Boot award in the National Youth League and was promoted to the senior squad. His first-team debut occurred on 12 February 2010 against Wellington Phoenix. He scored during his starting debut in a 3–1 victory over Gold Coast United, soon following up with another goal against Perth Glory. His pace and technical ability led to selection for the Australian under-20 squad participating in the U20 World Cup.

Acknowledging his growing influence, Central Coast Mariners extended his contract by two years, an announcement made on 1 February 2012.

Shanghai East Asia

On 4 June 2013, after impressive displays throughout the 2012/2013 Asian Champions League campaign, Central Coast Mariners accepted a record-breaking offer from Shanghai East Asia FC, newly promoted to China’s Super League. Three days later, Ibini signed a three-year deal with Shanghai East Asia, becoming one of Asia’s highest-valued players under 21. He quickly established himself as a speedy and skillful wide striker. In November 2013, following the loss of his father, Ibini was granted compassionate leave and returned to Central Coast Mariners on loan from 8 January to 31 May 2014.

Loan to Sydney FC

In May 2014, Ibini moved to Sydney FC on loan, making his debut in round one of the A-League season against Melbourne City. He scored his inaugural goal for Sydney FC during the Sydney Derby, securing a 1–1 draw. Towards the end of that season, he added three goals to his tally, including a candidate for goal of the season against Perth Glory and significant strikes versus Newcastle United and Wellington Phoenix. Although Sydney FC showed interest in extending his stay, Shanghai recalled him on 3 June 2015. Throughout the 2014–15 A-League season, Ibini featured in every match for Sydney.

Club Brugge

Following the conclusion of his contract on 1 May and missing a friendly against Chelsea at ANZ Stadium, Ibini received approval from Shanghai East Asia to travel to Belgium for a medical examination with Club Brugge. Shanghai’s foreign player quota restrictions made retaining him unlikely. On 5 June 2015, he secured a three-year contract with Club Brugge and was assigned jersey number 11.

Second loan spell at Sydney FC

Following a leg fracture sustained during his initial training session with Club Brugge, which sidelined him for the entire 2015–16 Belgian Pro League season, Ibini rejoined Sydney FC on loan on 21 July 2016. He marked his return by scoring a late goal after coming off the bench in an FFA Cup semi-final against Canberra Olympic on 19 October 2016, contributing to a 3–0 victory.

Vancouver Whitecaps

Ibini secured a one-year contract with an option for an additional year at Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps on 9 May 2017. On 8 August 2018, both parties agreed to terminate the contract by mutual consent, allowing Ibini to transfer to Emirates Club competing in the UAE Pro League.

Jeonbuk Hyundai

In January 2019, Ibini signed with Korean outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. He later arranged a move to Esteghlal; however, this transfer was canceled after he did not pass the club’s medical examination.

Newcastle Jets & Western Sydney Wanderers

After the unsuccessful transfer to Iran, Ibini returned home and joined Newcastle Jets on a short-term contract, reuniting with manager Carl Robinson, who had previously coached him at Vancouver. Less than a year later, Robinson resigned due to Newcastle’s financial difficulties and accepted a lucrative three-year deal with rival club Western Sydney Wanderers. Shortly thereafter, Ibini followed Robinson by signing a two-year contract with Western Sydney Wanderers despite some controversy surrounding his exit from Newcastle. After nearly 50 league appearances with the Wanderers, Ibini was released.

Lion City Sailors

Upon his release from Western Sydney Wanderers, Ibini joined Singapore Premier League side Lion City Sailors for the 2023 campaign. His contract was mutually ended on 15 August following disappointing performances and the club’s acquisition of Richairo Živković.

International career

Ibini made his debut for the Australian U-20 squad in 2011 as a substitute during a 1–0 victory over Germany U-20. On 7 March 2011, he was named in the Australia Olympic football team roster for an Asian Olympic Qualifier fixture against Iraq.

He earned his first cap for the Australian senior team on 10 October 2014, starting in a friendly match against the United Arab Emirates ahead of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Central Coast Mariners	2009–10	A-League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2010–11		4	1	0	0	0	0	4	1
	2011–12		29	7	0	0	6	0	35	7
	2012–13		27	7	0	0	8	0	35	7
	Club total		61	15	0	0	14	0	75	15
Blacktown City (loan)	2010	NSW Premier League	12	1	2	0	0	0	14	1
Shanghai Dongya	2013	Chinese Super League	10	0	1	0	0	0	11	0
Central Coast Mariners (loan)	2013–14	A-League	16	6	0	0	5	0	21	6
Sydney FC (loan)	2014–15	A-League	28	7	2	0	0	0	30	7
Club Brugge	2015–16	Belgian Pro League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sydney FC (loan)	2016–17	A-League	20	3	1	1	0	0	21	4
Vancouver Whitecaps	2017	Major League Soccer	17	1	0	0	0	0	17	1
	2018	Major League Soccer	8	0	1	0	0	0	9	0
	Club total		25	1	1	0	0	0	26	1
Emirates Club	2018–19	UAE Pro League	8	1	2	0	0	0	10	1
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	2019	K League 1	13	1	٠	٠	٢	٠	15	١
Newcastle Jets	2019–20	A-League	6	1	٠	٠	٠	٠	6	1
Western Sydney Wanderers	2020–21		26	4	٠	٠	٠	٠	26	4
	2021–22		20	1	2	1	٠	٠	22	2
	Club total		46	5	2	1	٠	٠	48	6
Career total			245	41	11	2	21	٠	277	43

Club

Central Coast Mariners:

A-League Premiership title: 2011–12 season
A-League Championship winner: 2012–13 season

Sydney FC:

Secured A-League Premiership: 2016–17 season

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors:

K League 1 champion: 2019

Individual

Y-League Top Scorer: 2010–11
Selected for A-League All Star team: 2014

External links