Mustafa Izzet, playing for Birmingham City Mustafa "Muzzy" Izzet (born October 31, 1974 in Mile End, London) is a British-Turkish footballer. He currently plays for Birmingham City.
Career history
Izzet signed as a schoolboy for Chelsea, but moved to Leicester City in the summer of 1996 because he wanted first-team football. Here his career properly took off, with over 200 appearances in all competitions for Leicester. He formed an excellent partnership alongside Neil Lennon, before Lennon moved to join former Leicester manager Martin O'Neill at Celtic F.C..
After reports that he was homesick in the summer of 2001, Izzet was linked to a move to West Ham United, where his younger brother Kemal was playing. Muzzy didn't make the move and any family reason for moving was soon removed, when Colchester United bought Kemal in the close-season.
Leicester were relegated to Division One in 2004, and released Izzet on a free transfer. Izzet wanted to continue playing in the Premiership and the Turkish national team, leading to him signing for Premiership side Birmingham City in June 2004.
Style of play
Although primarily a midfielder, Izzet has been asked to play as an emergency striker in times of crisis. He is capable of scoring spectacular goals even though his workrate is what endears him to his managers.
Honours
- League Cup winner twice at Leicester.
- Leicester's top scorer in 2000-2001 with 11 goals.
- Member of Turkey's 2002 World Cup squad. Capped 8 times.
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