Cédric Kipré (born 9 December 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Ligue 1 club Reims. Born in France, he plays for the Ivory Coast national team internationally.
 Kipré with Motherwell in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 December 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Paris, France | ||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Reims | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2014 | Paris Saint-Germain | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2017 | Leicester City | 0 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Corby Town (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Motherwell | 36 | (1) |
| 2018–2020 | Wigan Athletic | 74 | (2) |
| 2020–2024 | West Bromwich Albion | 59 | (3) |
| 2021 | → Charleroi (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | → Cardiff City (loan) | 42 | (3) |
| 2024– | Reims | 7 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2018 | Ivory Coast U23 | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 09:34, 28 March 2018 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editLeicester City
editAfter coming through the Youth Academy at Paris Saint-Germain, Kipré joined Leicester City in 2014 and was part of both their Under 18s and Under 21s in his debut season for the club, playing in the then Premier League 2 and FA Youth Cup.
He spent the next few seasons at the King Power Stadium, but only managed games for the Under 21s and the Under 23s. He also formed part of the Under 23s side that played in the EFL Trophy tie against Cheltenham in January 2017.[1]
Corby Town (loan)
editIn September 2015, Kipré joined National League North side Corby Town on a one-month loan deal.[2]
He made his debut for The Steelmen against Boston United the next night, turning in an excellent performance prompting boss Tommy Wright to say: "Cedric looked the real deal. He was strong, powerful, very good technically on the ball and he was a breath of fresh air.[3]
He returned from his short loan spell having played three first-team games.[4]
Motherwell
editAfter his release from Leicester, Kipré joined Motherwell on trial and played in pre-season games against Stirling Albion and Livingston. He impressed manager Stephen Robinson so much that he was awarded an initial one-year deal on 5 July 2017.[5][6]
He played his first competitive game for the club against Queens Park at Hampden in the League Cup on 15 July, setting up Motherwell's fourth goal in a 5–1 win.[7] On 23 August, he extended his contract by a further year, until the summer of 2019.[8]
Kipré extended his contract again on 13 April 2018 until the summer of 2020.[9] On 28 April, he scored his first Motherwell goal with a glancing header to beat Dundee 2-1.[10] He started in both the 2017 Scottish League Cup Final and the 2018 Scottish Cup final, both of which ended in defeat at the hands of Celtic; he was sent off in the League Cup final.
Wigan Athletic
editWigan Athletic signed Kipré to a three-year contract on 3 August 2018, having agreed a transfer fee with Motherwell.[11] He made his league debut the following day, playing the full 90 minutes of the 3–2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.[12] He scored his first goal for Wigan in a 3–1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers on 24 August 2018.[13] On 1 January 2019 Kipré netted from close range to give Wigan Athletic a 3–1 lead against Birmingham City in a match that concluded with a 3–2 win for the "Latics".[14]
West Bromwich Albion
editOn 4 September 2020, West Bromwich Albion announced the signing of Kipré on a four-year contract.[15] He made his debut for West Brom on 16 September 2020 in a 3–0 home win against Harrogate Town in the second round of EFL Cup, providing an assist for Hal Robson-Kanu.[16] On 22 January 2022, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 home win against Peterborough United.[17]
Kipre re-established himself as first-choice centre back after returning from loan in the summer of 2023, and won the club's both players' and supporters'player of the season awards on 4 May 2024.[18][19]
Loan to Charleroi
editOn 1 February 2021, Kipré joined Charleroi on a six-month loan.[20]
Cardiff City (loan)
editOn 15 July 2022, Kipré joined fellow Championship club Cardiff City on a season-long loan deal.[21]
On 22 May 2024, West Brom announced the player had been offered a new contract.[22]
Reims
editOn 24 July 2024, Kipré returned to France and signed for Ligue 1 club Reims.[23]
International career
editKipré is eligible to play for the Ivory Coast, with his parents being born there. On 21 March 2018, he was called into the squad for the first time.[24] He made his debut for the under-23s on 27 March 2018, against Togo.[25]
Personal life
editKipré's elder brother, Steve, is also a professional footballer and has played in France, Germany and Scotland, with which he had a short spell with Clyde.[26]
Career statistics
edit- As of 4 May 2024[27]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leicester City | 2014–15 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Corby Town (loan) | 2015–16 | National League North | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Motherwell | 2017–18 | Scottish Premiership | 36 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 1 |
| 2018–19 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 36 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 1 | ||
| Wigan Athletic | 2018–19 | Championship | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Championship | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 2 | |
| Total | 74 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 2 | ||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2020–21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | Championship | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2023–24 | Championship | 44 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 2 | |
| Total | 58 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 3 | ||
| Charleroi (loan) | 2020–21 | Belgian First Division A | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Cardiff City (loan) | 2022–23 | Championship | 42 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 3 |
| Career total | 217 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 244 | 9 | ||
References
edit- ^ "Match Report: Cheltenham Town 6 Leicester City 1". lcfc.com. Leicester City FC. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ "Kipre & Hassall Head To Corby On Loan". lcfc.com. Leicester City FC. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "We just need a win, says Corby boss Wright". northantstelegraph.co.uk. Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ^ "Cedric Kipre profile". aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ "Cédric Kipré signs for the Well". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell FC. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ^ "Cedric Kipre: Motherwell sign up defender on one-year deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ^ "Queen's Park 1-5 Motherwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
- ^ "Cedric Kipré extends his stay". Motherwell F.C. 23 August 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ "Four pen new 'Well deals". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "Motherwell 2-1 Dundee". BBC Sport. 28 April 2018.
- ^ Mullen, Scott (3 August 2018). "Motherwell's Cedric Kipre is unveiled at Wigan after signing three-year deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- ^ "Wigan 3–2 Sheffield Wednesday: Michael Jacobs scores twice for hosts". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ "QPR 3-1 Wigan". BBC. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ "Wigan 3–2 Birmingham". BBC. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- ^ "Kipré arrives at Albion". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 3–0 Harrogate Town". BBC Sport. 16 September 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 3–0 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Cedric Kipre wins Barberboss Players' Player of the season". West Bromwich Albion. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "Cedric Kipre crowned Ieal Heating Supporters' Player of the season". West Bromwich Albion. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ "Bienvenue Cédric!" [Welcome Cédric!]. www.sporting-charleroi.be (in French). 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Cédric Kipré joins the Bluebirds on loan". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion: Matt Phillips among seven to leave Baggies". BBC Sport. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ "Cédric Kipré, nouveau pilier de la défense Rémoise" (Press release) (in French). Stade de Reims. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Kipré called up by Ivory Coast". Motherwell F.C. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ "Cédric Kipré features for Ivory Coast". Motherwell F.C. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ "Clyde sign Steve Kipre, brother of Motherwell's Cedric". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ Cédric Kipré at Soccerway
External links
edit- Cédric Kipré profile at Wigan Athletic FC official website