On transfer deadline, September 2006 Sheffield United signed Colin Kazim-Richards, but how has his career dubbed so far and why is he named the Coca-Cola Kid...
Born: 26 August 1986
Place: Leystone, England
Height: 6'1
Weight: 11st 1lbs
Blades Debut: 09 September 2006 v Blackburn Rovers (drew 0-0)
| Career Details: | Apps: | Goals: | |
| 2004-05 | Bury | 21 (21) | 3 |
| 2005-06 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 27 (18) | 6 |
| 2006-?? | Sheffield United | - | - |
Total | 28 (39) | 9 | |
Colin Kazim-Richards started his football career through the Youth ranks at Bury Football Club, signing a professional contract in September 2004. He was immediately thrown into the deep end playing almost the entire 2004-05 season, making 42 appearances.
Despite his English birth, Kazim-Richards roots originate from Antigua and could quite soon find himself playing in the Africian Nations Cup.
Before his Gigg Lane days he played local football with Greenleaf Primary School (Walthamstow) and Avling Park School. His debut came in the Football League Trophy, the scores were locked at 1-1 at full time but opposition Stockport County stole the show with a 3-1 win after extra-time.
Kazim-Richards netted his first professional goal on 25 March 2005 when Bury beat Grimsby Town 3-1 at home, he would later score a further two before the seasons end.
On 30 June 2005 CKR left Gigg Lane for pastures new in the form of Brighton & Hove Albion. Football League sponsors Coca-Cola ran a competition where the winner received £250,000 for his/her club to spend on a professional player.
Fortunately for the Seagulls it was won by an Albion fan and the cash strapped club were able to buy the forward. It is from this that Kazim-Richards was dubbed the Coca-Cola Kid.
Whilst with the Lancashire side Kazim-Richards set a club record when scoring one of his six goals of the season also netted the Shakers 5,000th Football League goal.
He signed on a three year contract yet only stayed at the Withdean for just one season. He made his Brighton debut at Pride Park with a 1-1 draw against Derby County, and hit the back for the net for his new club at Coventry City in September 2005.
At Hillsborough Kazim-Richards scored a 90th minute leveller with a powerful header on the edge of the box and his low drive past Paddy Kenny came scant conciliation to a 3-1 defeat at Bramall Lane.
The Blades won promotion to the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion, at the other end of the table ending the season drowning their sorrows following relegation.
After being placed on the substitutes bench in their away win at Rotherham United on the start on the 2006-07 season Kazim-Ricahrds left that it might be best if he left the club.
And, on 31 August 2006 Sheffield United signed the Midfield/Striker for a fee of £150,000 after left dangling in the reserves. Brighton had however, at the beginning of the week turned down several offers for the young campaigner including one from Championship outfit Barnsley.
He made his United debut at home to Blackburn Rovers (0-0 draw) in the Premiership whilst played in games against former employees Bury (1-0) in the League Cup, Arsenal (0-3) and at home to Middlesbrough (2-1).
In the short time the forward has been at Bramall Lane he has been impressive; with the ability to press forward and his tricky skills on the left wing will come at a great advantage to the Blades in future games.
* all information is correct up to and including 6 October 2006.
