Anthony Stokes

Anthony Stokes, born on July twenty-fifth, nineteen eighty-eight, is an Irish former professional footballer renowned for his role as a striker. He embarked on his senior career with Arsenal in the English Premier League, where he showcased his potential during a successful loan spell at Falkirk in two thousand six, netting fourteen goals in just sixteen appearances in the Scottish Premier League.

In a significant move, Stokes signed with Sunderland for a fee of two million pounds. However, he faced challenges in securing a consistent position within the first team. This led to his return to Scottish football when Hibernian acquired him for five hundred thousand pounds in August two thousand nine. Stokes thrived there, scoring over twenty goals in his first full season.

His career took another turn when he joined his boyhood club, Celtic, for approximately one point two million pounds. Under the management of Neil Lennon, he became a regular contributor to the team’s success. However, his fortunes changed under Ronny Deila, leading to a loan back to Hibernian during the latter part of the two thousand fifteen to sixteen season, where he played a pivotal role in their Scottish Cup victory.

After a stint with Blackburn Rovers, Stokes returned to Hibernian for a third time in two thousand seventeen, but was released the following year. His journey continued with brief spells at Apollon Smyrnis in Greece, Tractor and Persepolis in Iran, and Adana Demirspor in Turkey, before he made his way back to Scotland to play for Livingston in two thousand twenty. Throughout his career, Stokes also represented the Republic of Ireland at the under-21 level and earned nine caps for the senior national team between two thousand seven and two thousand fourteen.