[10] When Feruz was aged 12, he and his family were threatened with deportation back to his country of birth.
[55], On 22 May 2014, after Feruz turned down multiple call ups at youth level it was reported that Feruz had turned his back on representing Scotland, but SFA representatives refused to rule out him returning to the fold in future. According to The Scotsman, unverified reports suggest that Feruz could play for these two nations due to family connections. [23] Feruz was released by Chelsea on the final day of the January 2019 transfer window, after several brief unsuccessful spells out on loan at other clubs, and without ever making a competitive first team appearance for Chelsea. Feruz is a naturalised citizen of the United Kingdom. He has three sisters: Kauthar, Ethil and Rahma. [43] On 7 January 2017, after a disappointing loan spell, Feruz returned to Chelsea. [33] A week later he made the only other appearance of his loan, again replacing Davies at the same point in a 72 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road. [56] In August 2015, Feruz denied having turned his back on Scotland, stating "I've never said I didn't want to be considered for Scotland", adding "Some of the things which have been said about me not wanting to play have been untrue. His contract with Chelsea expired in 2019. [16]
The family initially moved to London when Feruz was aged five, before later re-locating to Glasgow. In April 2012, he was called up to the Scotland under-21 team aged 16, for a match against Italy. [54] His last appearance at any level for Scotland was in a friendly match against England U21s on 13 August 2013, where Scotland lost 60 and Feruz was substituted after 62 minutes. Despite being eligible to play for 2 African countries other than Som :P MyDream!!! [27] Twelve days later he made his only league appearance for the team, replacing Mayron George for the final 28 minutes of a 30 defeat to Olympiacos at the Karaiskakis Stadium. At age 10, Celtic fan Feruz was discovered by Celtic youth coach John Simpson while playing a kickabout at Castlemilk Sports Centre,[9] and joined Celtic's youth academy. He declared in 2009 that he would play for the Scotland national football team, and represented the country at several youth levels. I'm proud to have played for the national team at different age groups. [6][7] There, he attended Hillhead High School, one of the most racially diverse secondary schools in Scotland. "[57], In 2010, Feruz was awarded the Young Scot Sport Award. [11] Celtic youth coach Tommy Burns successfully campaigned for them to be able stay in Scotland,[12] and for the Feruzes to be granted British passports. In April 2020, it was reported that Feruz had given up football to set up a company selling designer caps. [51] The cap would make him the youngest player ever to feature for Scotland U21s. He was the first footballer to switch to Scotland under this rule,[8] a change in FIFA's guidelines which Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith had pursued to accommodate players in Feruz's position. [13] His Twitter account was closed on 29 May, following "encouragement for him to do so from Chelsea. He also expressed his disappointment that a player who Celtic had helped to stay in the country and moved into an expensive flat was possibly going to leave the club. In 2009, Feruz declared that he would play for the Scotland national team. [13], In September 2009, Feruz was called up to the Scotland under-17 team at only 14 years of age. He had loan spells at OFI Crete, Blackpool, Hibernian, Royal Excel Mouscron and Swindon Town, but these were all brief and unsuccessful. He never made a competitive appearance for the Chelsea first team, having mostly represented the team at U21 levels. The prize annually recognises youngsters between the ages of 12 and 22 who have contributed positively to communities in Scotland. He scored two goals in the 2012 FA Youth Cup first leg in April 2012[17] as Chelsea youths went on to win the trophy for the second time in three years. [30], After training with Championship side Cardiff City earlier that month,[31] on 16 January 2015, Feruz joined another team in that division, Blackpool, for the remainder of the season. [41], On 31 August 2016, Feruz joined Wallonian Belgian side Excel Mouscron on a season-long loan. [53] Stepping up to the U21s again in November 2012, Feruz scored twice for Scotland in a 32 defeat away against the Portugal Under-21 side. [20], Feruz made his Chelsea first team debut against a Malaysia League XI on 21 July 2013, coming on as a substitute in the 32nd minute for Kevin De Bruyne,[21] but after half time he was replaced by Andr Schrrle. At the start of the 201112 season, there was speculation that Feruz was going to leave the club for Chelsea. [29] His only other game was also in the Cup group stages, starting at the Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium in a 10 win over Skoda Xanthi on 30 October and making way for eventual goalscorer George at half time. [6] Feruz was playing in Celtic's under-14 team at age 11. [15] Because of "a flaw in the legal system" Chelsea were able to sign him for only 300,000 compensation. I want to play for Scotland and I'll be honoured if I'm selected. The team's manager John Sludden said that after only 20 minutes he could tell Feruz was a special player and compared his talent to that of Paul McStay, Charlie Nicholas and Aiden McGeady. "[19], Feruz scored two goals in Chelsea's 60 win over Molde FK on 8 November 2012 in the NextGen Series. [42] Ten days later, he made his debut in the first division of Belgium in a 51 home defeat against Zulte Waregem, replacing Simon Diedhiou in the 70th minute. [50] He scored on his debut against Cyprus. [36], On 1 September 2015, Feruz signed a season-loan deal with Scottish Championship club Hibernian. :D". [48], In April 2020, it was reported that Feruz had given up football to set up a company selling designer caps. [28] On 24 September he made his first career start in a 11 Greek Football Cup away draw at Zakynthos, being replaced by Andreas Lampropoulos after 62 minutes. [35] He returned to Chelsea shortly afterwards, having only played a total of 16 minutes whilst on loan. [4], "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/01/2015 and 31/01/2015", "Who is Islam Feruz the young Chelsea striker interesting Cardiff City? [34] Following a 40 defeat against Brentford, Feruz tweeted that "This team take more kick-offs than corners". [22], In January 2014, he signed a new long-term contract with Chelsea. [2], The family lived in Tanzania before emigrating directly to the UK.[4][5]. [32] He made his Blackpool debut in a 20 defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers the following day, replacing Steve Davies for the final eight minutes at the Molineux Stadium. Feruz spent most of his youth career with Celtic, before moving to Chelsea in September 2011 after rejecting a professional contract with the Scottish club. [13], Feruz's first match for Celtic came in 2009 when, aged 14, he made an appearance in Tommy Burns' memorial match. [11], After turning in a poor performance at an Under-20 tournament in the Netherlands in May 2012, Feruz attracted some controversy when he tweeted that he "would love to play in the African Nation Cup! [39] Feruz failed to make an impact at Hibs and his loan was terminated on 14 January 2016 after the player had made just six substitute appearances in his time at the club. [47] He only played four competitive games, and failed to score in any of them. [37][38] He made his debut seven days later, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Liam Henderson during a 30 win at Easter Road against Alloa Athletic. Feruz was born in Somalia. Wales Online and The Scottish Sun indicate that there is some uncertainty about his childhood and background. [46] On 28 February 2017, Feruz was fined 3,000 after he was caught driving an 80,000 Porsche whilst disqualified. [26], After cancelling his move to Russia, on 1 September 2014, Feruz signed a season-loan deal with Superleague Greece club OFI Crete, managed by Gennaro Gattuso. [24], On 29 August 2014, Feruz agreed to join FC Krylia Sovetov,[25] but ended the loan just 48 hours after agreeing to the move to the Russian side because of being homesick. [7][14], Feruz moved to English Premier League club Chelsea in September 2011, after rejecting a professional contract at Celtic. [52] Speaking after that game, Scottish FA performance chief Mark Wotte stated his belief that Feruz could be a top striker for the full national team. Islam Salieh Feruz (born 10 September 1995) is a Somali-born Scottish former professional footballer who played as a centre forward. ", "Young Scot Awards 2010: Night of tears and joy as inspiring youngsters celebrate", "Richard Bath: 'Islam Feruz is taking the same route to sporting stardom as Mo Farah', "Celtic likely to lose talented Islam Feruz Neil Lennon", "Progress and potential of Islam Feruz is something for Scotland to celebrate", "Islam Feruz set to make history as youngest Scotland U21 cap", "I knew Islam Feruz was special after just 20 minutes, says Celtic youth coach John Sludden", "Chelsea's Islam Feruz, 16, may make Scotland U21 debut", "Islam Feruz exit to Chelsea disappoints Celtic's Johan Mjallby", "Islam Feruz's Scottish link on shaky ground", "Neil Lennon claims teenage prodigy Islam Feruz was badly advised to quit Celtic for Chelsea", "Ricky Sbragia insists Islam Feruz is set to return for Scotland after year-long absence", "Islam Feruz Set To Leave Celtic To Join Chelsea Report", "Chelsea 4-0 Blackburn: Feruz double sinks Rovers in FA Youth Cup first-leg final", "Blackburn 1-0 Chelsea (Agg 1-4): Visitors win FA Youth Cup despite Payne-inspired defeat in second leg", "Chelsea youngster Islam Feruz agrees new contract", "Youngsters Feruz, Wakefield, Joao Rodriguez leave Chelsea for good on Deadline Day", "Transfer news: Chelsea starlet Islam Feruz agrees loan move to Krylia Sovetov", "Chelsea prospect returns to club just 48 hours after completing Russian loan", "Chelsea striker Islam Feruz trains with Cardiff City", "Blackpool relegated from Championship to League One", "Chelsea starlet Islam Feruz signs loan deal at Hibs and insists: It's great to be back in Scotland", "Islam Feruz returns to Chelsea after loan spell at Hibs", "Driving ban footballer Islam Feruz fined 3,000", "Blues' striker may be loan option again for Swindon Town", "Feruz, 14, won't be fazed by Scotland debut, says Mathie", "Islam Feruz set to become Scotland's history boy", "Feruz bags hat-trick as Scotland U19s win Euro group", "Islam Feruz 'can be Scots' top striker', says Mark Wotte", "Alan Pattullo: Lament for the unfulfilled career of Islam Feruz", "SFA leave door open as Feruz steps away", "Former Celtic youngster Islam Feruz says he would be 'honoured' to make it into the Scotland squad in new cap vow", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Islam_Feruz&oldid=1096922911, Scottish Professional Football League players, Scotland under-21 international footballers, Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Greece, Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Belgium, Articles with dead external links from February 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 April 2017, This page was last edited on 7 July 2022, at 14:28. [35] Blackpool ended the season with relegation to League One. [49], Although he was born abroad and has no Scottish heritage, Feruz is able to play for Scotland under the new school qualification rule, which allows players with five years of education in a country before the age of 18 to play for that country's national football team. [8] He and his family originally lived in a high-rise flat in Castlemilk, but Feruz later moved them to an upscale area in Glasgow's Charing Cross. [40], In February 2016, Feruz went on trial with Kazakhstan Premier League side FC Aktobe. [44], On 11 January 2017, Feruz joined Swindon Town on loan for the remainder of the 201617 campaign. However, he did not blame Feruz but his agents, who he felt were "badly advising" the player, for the situation.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon said in August that he had not seen the player since the start of the season. He lasted a day at the club's warm-weather training camp in Turkey before leaving again.
"[13], On 14 October 2012, Feruz scored a hat-trick for the Scotland Under-19 team in a 43 victory against Switzerland, with Scotland winning their qualification group. [2] He was raised by his mother Aisha and stepfather Albashir Ali. [45] Three days later, Feruz made his Swindon Town debut in their 21 victory over Bolton Wanderers, featuring for 60 minutes before being replaced by Jermaine Hylton. His contract was reportedly worth 2,500 a week. [18], Chelsea's official website described Feruz in early 2013 as "short but sharp with an electric turn of pace and able to get a shot in early.