Jérémy Hélan (born 9 May 1992) is a French former professional footballer who played as a left midfielder. He last played for Sheffield Wednesday, whom he joined from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee in July 2013. He retired from football in September 2016.

Jérémy Hélan
Personal information
Full name Jérémy Hélan[1]
Date of birth (1992-05-09) 9 May 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth Clichy-la-Garenne, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Left midfielder
Youth career
2001–2007 Aubervilliers
2005–2008 INF Clairefontaine
2008–2009 Stade Rennais
2009–2011 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Manchester City 0 (0)
2011Carlisle United (loan) 2 (0)
2012Shrewsbury Town (loan) 3 (0)
2012–2013Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 28 (1)
2013–2016 Sheffield Wednesday 100 (3)
2016Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 8 (0)
Total 141 (4)
International career
2010 France U-19 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Born in Clichy-la-Garenne, Hélan started his career in the youth team AS Jeunesse d'Aubervilliers from the age of eleven. He spent three years at the Clairefontaine academy between 2005 and 2008, before joining Stade Rennais.[2]

Manchester City

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Helan controversially[3] signed for Manchester City in February 2009 after deciding to see out the remainder of his professional contract with Rennes, and was accordingly suspended from international football for a month.[4] For the remainder of the 2008–09 season and during the next two seasons Hélan established himself as a regular player in the City Elite Development Squad. In 2011, Hélan was among six players from the Elite Development Squad to be included for the pre-season tour in Poland.[5] The following year also saw Hélan signing a new contract with the club.[6]

He made his debut for the club on 25 September as a 106th-minute substitute as they lost a Football League Cup third round match to Aston Villa.[7]

Loan spells

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In October 2011, Hélan joined League One side Carlisle United on a one-month loan deal.[8] He made his professional debut for his new loan club in a 3–0 win over Yeovil Town at Huish Park after coming on as a substitute for Jon-Paul McGovern.[9] Hélan also made another appearance against Exeter City on 5 November 2011, where he played for 16 minutes, in a 0–0 draw.[10] After this, Hélan returned to his parent club despite Carlisle wanting to extend his loan spell for a second month.[11]

On 25 October 2012, Hélan joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a one-month loan deal.[12] He made his debut two days later, in a 2–2 draw at home to Colchester United.[13] Hélan went on to make three more appearances before being recalled by his parent club on 22 November 2012.[14]

Sheffield Wednesday

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On 22 November 2012, Hélan signed on loan for Sheffield Wednesday on a one-month deal.[15] He made his debut two days later, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat at home to Leicester City.[16] He scored his first goal for the club on 22 December in a 2–0 win at home to Charlton Athletic.[17] Two days later, his loan spell with the club was extended until 19 January 2013.[18] On 29 December 2012, in a match against Huddersfield Town which ended 0–0, he was involved in a bizarre incident where he was "twice" booked by the referee but did not get sent off as the first yellow card was mistakenly given to his teammate Michail Antonio for diving.[19] On 30 January 2013, Hélan rejoined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season[20] and went on to finish the 2012–13 season, scoring once in 28 appearances.

Despite attracting the attention of a host of clubs including Wolves after rising to the fore with the Owls, Hélan was told by the Manchester City management that he would be loaned out once again,[21][22] Hélan signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a permanent basis in the summer, signing a four-year contract, keeping him until the summer of 2017.[23] Upon joining the club, Hélan was given number seventeen shirt for the new season.[24]

Hélan's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening game of the season in a 2–1 loss against Queens Park Rangers.[25] Three weeks later on 24 August 2013, Hélan scored his first goal since his return to the club in a 2–2 draw against Millwall.[26] Hélan then scored his second goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Huddersfield Town on 22 February 2014.[27] As the 2013–14 season progressed Hélan, after first playing in the left-wing position, switched to the left-back position following the club's defensive crisis.[28][29] Hélan finished his first permanent season at Sheffield Wednesday, making 43 appearances and scoring twice in the 2013–14 season.

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Hélan suffered an abductor strain during a friendly match against Doncaster Rovers and was expected to be sidelined between four and six weeks.[30] Although he missed the first two games, Hélan made his return to training.[31] and made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a substitute for Jacques Maghoma, in a 1–1 draw against Millwall on 19 August 2014.[32] Hélan then scored his first Sheffield Wednesday goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Birmingham City on 16 September 2014[33] and then provided an assist for Atdhe Nuhiu to score the only goal in the game, in a 1–0 win over Wigan Athletic on 30 December 2014.[34] Five days later, on 4 January 2015, Hélan played 90 minutes against his former club, Manchester City, in third round of FA Cup, which they lost 2–1.[35] Hélan finished the 2014–15 season at Sheffield Wednesday, making 38 appearances and scoring once.

The 2015–16 season saw Hélan competing with Rhoys Wiggins for the left-back position.[36] However, in a match against Brentford on 26 September 2015, Hélan received a red card after a second bookable offence, in a 2–1 win for Sheffield Wednesday.[37] After returning from suspension, Hélan found himself rotated under the new management of Carlos Carvalhal, which saw him in and out of the first team, but mostly on the substitute bench.[38] Following a loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Hélan made his return to the Sheffield Wednesday first team, coming on as a late substitute, and was booked soon after in a 1–1 draw against Derby County on 23 April 2016.[39] He also appeared in the last game of the season, against Wolves, the club he played for between January and April, in a 2–1 loss.[40] Hélan featured in the Championship play-off final, coming on as a substitute for Ross Wallace in the 63rd minute, in a 1–0 loss against Hull City.[41] Hélan later finished the 2015–16 season, making 17 appearances.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan)

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On 25 February 2016, Hélan moved on loan for the remainder of the 2015–16 season to fellow Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.[42] Hélan made his Wolves debut two days later, making his first start and playing 90 minutes, in a 2–1 win over Derby County.[43] Following this, Hélan was given a handful of first team appearances that led to a possible permanent move made in the summer.[44] However, due to his parent club's lack of defensive option, Hélan was recalled by the club on 21 April 2016.[45] Manager Kenny Jackett stated that Hélan could one day make a permanent return to Wolves.[46]

Although he appeared once for Sheffield Wednesday in the 2016–17 season,[47] it was announced on 18 September 2016 that Hélan had decided to retire from football, at the age of 24, in order to focus on his Islamic religion, his disillusionment with the game being another factor. However, his contract with Sheffield Wednesday did not expire until the end of the 2016–17 season.[48]

International career

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Hélan previously represented France U-16, France U-17 and France U-19.[5]

Personal life

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In an interview with News and Star, Hélan stated he had an ambition to have a career in football.[5] Hélan speaks English and French and currently learning Arabic.[49] Hélan is a devout Muslim and spent increasing amounts of time at a mosque in Saudi Arabia that he intended to go to once he retired.[50]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Carlisle United (loan) 2011–12[51] League One 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Manchester City 2012–13[52] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Shrewsbury Town (loan) 2012–13[52] League One 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2012–13[52] Championship 28 1 0 0 0 0 28 1
Sheffield Wednesday 2013–14[53] Championship 43 2 4 0 1 0 48 2
2014–15[54] Championship 38 1 1 0 2 0 41 1
2015–16[54] Championship 17 0 1 0 4 0 22 0
Career total 131 4 7 0 7 0 0 0 146 4

References

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  1. ^ "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 34. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Jérémy Helan". Fédération Française de Football (in French). Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Man City dismiss 'poaching' claim". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  4. ^ "24-year-old Muslim Sheffield Wednesday Footballer Jeremy Helan retires to focus on Islam". 19 September 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Reputation counts for nothing, says Carlisle Utd loanee Jeremy Helan". News and Star. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Manchester City not keen on Shay Given loan". Manchester Evening News. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Man City 2–4 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Carlisle United sign Jeremy Helan from Manchester City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Yeovil 0 – 3 Carlisle". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  10. ^ "Match Report: Exeter City 0 Carlisle United 0". News and Star. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Man City loan star Jeremy Helan leaves Carlisle Utd". News and Stop. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  12. ^ "Man City loan French youngster Jeremy Helan to Shrewsbury Town" BBC Sport. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Shrewsbury 2–2 Colchester" BBC Sport. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  14. ^ "Helan and Hector Recalled". Shrewsbury Town F.C. 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  15. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday sign Mamady Sibide and Jeremy Helan" BBC Sport. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  16. ^ "Sheffield Wed 0–2 Leicester" BBC Sport. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  17. ^ "Sheffield Wed 2–0 Charlton" BBC Sport. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  18. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday extend loan deals for Jeremy Helan and Mamady Sidibe". Sky Sports. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  19. ^ "Player gets two yellows but no red". BBC Sport.
  20. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday sign Jeremy Helan as Rodri departs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  21. ^ "Wolves wait on answer from Jeremy Helan". Express and Star. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  22. ^ "Young City guns are all set to fire". Manchester Evening News. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  23. ^ "Helan returns". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  24. ^ "Squad Numbers Revealed". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 28 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  25. ^ "Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  26. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Millwall". BBC Sport. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  27. ^ "Sky Bet Championship: Sheffield Wednesday beat Huddersfield 2-0". Sky Sports. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  28. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday: Jones eyes Helan impact". The Star. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  29. ^ "Jeremy Helan's best position?". The Star. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  30. ^ "Fine Lines". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  31. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday: Helan edges closer to Owls return". The Star. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  32. ^ "Sky Bet Championship: Magaye Gueye earns Millwall 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday". Sky Sports. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  33. ^ "Championship: Birmingham beaten 2-0 at home by Sheffield Wednesday". Sky Sports. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  34. ^ "Wigan Athletic 0 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  35. ^ "Manchester City 2 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  36. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday: The best is yet to come from Owls wing ace". The Star. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  37. ^ "Brentford 1 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  38. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday: Team man Helan happy to play his part". The Star. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  39. ^ "Derby 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Darren Bent grabs draw for Derby". Sky Sports. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  40. ^ "Wolves 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Kenny Jackett's side end winless home run". Sky Sports. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  41. ^ "Hull City 1 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  42. ^ "Jeremy Helan: Wolves sign Sheffield Wednesday winger on loan". BBC Sport. 25 February 2016.
  43. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 1 Derby County". BBC Sport. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  44. ^ "Jeremy Helan's seven games to earn Wolves deal". Express and Star. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  45. ^ "Jeremy Helan back at Sheffield Wednesday after Wolves loan". Sky Sports. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  46. ^ "Jeremy Helan return not ruled out by Wolves". Express and Star. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  47. ^ "Match report: Cambridge United 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 - Extra time defeat sends Owls out of EFL Cup to League Two outfit". The Star. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  48. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday: 24 year-old Owls player retires to focus on religion". The Star. 18 September 2016.
  49. ^ "Pupils inspired to learn by Sheffield Wednesday star". The Star. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  50. ^ "Jeremy Helan set to retire from football in order to follow religion".
  51. ^ "Games played by Jeremy Helan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  52. ^ a b c "Games played by Jeremy Helan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  53. ^ "Games played by Jeremy Helan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  54. ^ a b "Games played by Jeremy Helan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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  NODES
INTERN 4
Note 1