Niall Ennis

Niall Ennis

Personal information
Full name	Niall Nathan Michael Ennis [1]
Date of birth	(1999-05-20) 20 May 1999 (age 25) [2]
Place of birth	Wolverhampton, England
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.77 m) [2]
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Stoke City
Number	14
Youth career
2006–2017	Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2021	Wolverhampton Wanderers	0	(0)
2017	→ Shrewsbury Town (loan)	1	(0)
2019–2020	→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)	29	(6)
2020–2021	→ Burton Albion (loan)	9	(0)
2021–2023	Plymouth Argyle	87	(22)
2023–2024	Blackburn Rovers	11	(0)
2024–	Stoke City	21	(1)
International career
2015	England U17	7	(3)
2016	England U18	4	(0)
2018	England U19	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:52, 6 November 2024 (UTC)

Niall Nathan Michael Ennis (born 20 May 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Stoke City.

Ennis began his career with his local team Wolverhampton Wanderers, progressing through their academy. After loan spells with Shrewsbury Town, Doncaster Rovers and Burton Albion he joined League One side Plymouth Argyle in January 2021. Ennis scored 12 goals in 2022–23 helping them gain promotion to the Championship. He signed for Blackburn Rovers in May 2023 on a four-year contract, however in February 2024 he joined Stoke City.

Career

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Born in Wolverhampton, Ennis is a youth product of hometown club Wolverhampton Wanderers having joined their academy at the age of seven and attended Thomas Telford School. ^{[3] [4]} In November 2015 he signed a three-year professional contract to come into effect on his 17th birthday. ^{[5] [6]} He suffered a fibula fracture in January 2016 that kept him out of action until the summer. ^[7] He was part of Wolves' pre-season preparations for the 2016–17 campaign, scoring twice against Cork City and Northampton Town, ^[8] but did not make a first-team appearance during the season proper after suffering another fibula fracture in November 2016. ^[9]

On 26 July 2017, he moved on on loan to League One side Shrewsbury Town for the 2017–18 season. ^[10] He made his senior debut on 8 August 2017 in an EFL Cup first round defeat at Nottingham Forest in a 2–1 loss and then made his league debut against AFC Wimbledon four days later. ^{[11] [12]} On 5 September, it was revealed Ennis had suffered yet another long-term injury, this time to his knee, putting him out of action for an estimated four to six months. ^[13] He was recalled by Wolves in December 2017. ^[14] Ennis made his first-team debut for Wolverhampton Wanderers on 5 February 2019 in an FA Cup fourth round replay against his former team Shrewsbury, coming on as a late substitute. ^{[15] [16]}

Ennis signed a new contract on 2 August 2019 to remain with Wolves until 2022. ^[17] He then joined Doncaster Rovers on loan for the 2019–20 season alongside Wolves under-21 teammate Cameron John. ^[18] On 24 August, he scored his first senior goal, a 25-yard strike to open a 2–1 home win over Lincoln City. ^[19] He scored six goals in 32 games for Doncaster before the League One season was curtailed early due to the coronavirus pandemic. ^[20] Ennis joined Burton Albion on 16 October 2020 on loan for the 2020–21 season. ^[21] He was recalled by Wolves on 5 January 2021, after making ten appearances for the Brewers. ^[22]

Plymouth Argyle

On 18 January 2021, Ennis joined League One side Plymouth Argyle on a permanent basis, for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. ^{[23] [24]} He scored his first goal for Argyle on 9 February 2021 in a 1–0 win against Accrington Stanley. ^[25] He was praised by manager Ryan Lowe in March 2021 for the impact he had made since joining the club. ^[26] Ennis scored twice against rivals Bristol Rovers on 20 March 2021. ^[27] He scored six goals in 24 appearances in 2020–21 as Plymouth, finished in 17th, six points above the relegation zone. ^[28] Ennis injured his hamstring in the warm-up prior to the opening match of the 2021–22 season, ruling him out for four months. ^[29] He returned from injury in December 2021. ^[30] Ennis would go on to score four goals in 28 games as Plymouth missed out on a play-off spot after losing 5–0 to Milton Keynes Dons on the final day of the season. ^[31] The 2022–23 season proved to be a very successful season for Ennis and Plymouth as under the management of Steven Schumacher they won the League One title with 101 points, with Ennis scoring 14 goals in 45 matches. ^[32]

Blackburn Rovers

On 26 May 2023, it was announced Ennis had reject and new contract at Plymouth and agreed a four-year deal with Championship side Blackburn Rovers. ^{[33] [34]} He scored on his debut for Blackburn in a 4–3 win over Walsall in the EFL Cup on 8 August 2023. ^[35] Ennis struggled to make much impact under Jon Dahl Tomasson in the first half of the 2023–24 season and after failing to score a league goal in eleven appearances it was reported that Blackburn would be willing to let Ennis leave Ewood Park in the January transfer window. ^[36]

Stoke City

Ennis joined Championship rivals Stoke City on 1 February 2024 for an undisclosed fee, linking up with former Plymouth manager Steven Schumacher. ^[37] Ennis scored his first goal for Stoke on 10 February 2024, against his former team Blackburn Rovers in a 3–1 defeat. ^[38] He made 14 appearances for Stoke in 2023–24 as the team avoided relegation. ^{[39] [40]}

Career statistics

As of match played 6 November 2024

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
Wolverhampton Wanderers	2017–18 [41]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2018–19 [42]	Premier League	0	0	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2019–20 [20]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2020–21 [28]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Shrewsbury Town (loan)	2017–18 [41]	League One	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
Wolverhampton Wanderers U21	2018–19 [42]	—	—		—		—		3 [lower-alpha 1]	0	3	0
Doncaster Rovers (loan)	2019–20 [20]	League One	29	6	0	0	1	0	2 [lower-alpha 1]	0	32	6
Burton Albion (loan)	2020–21 [41]	League One	9	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	10	0
Plymouth Argyle	2020–21 [28]	League One	24	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	6
	2021–22 [43]	League One	25	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	28	4
	2022–23 [44]	League One	38	12	1	0	1	0	5 [lower-alpha 1]	2	45	14
	Total		87	22	4	0	1	0	5	2	97	24
Blackburn Rovers	2023–24 [45]	Championship	11	0	0	0	1	1	—		12	1
Stoke City	2023–24 [45]	Championship	14	1	0	0	0	0	—		14	1
	2024–25 [46]	Championship	7	0	0	0	2	0	—		9	0
	Total		21	1	0	0	2	0	—		23	1
Career total			158	29	6	0	7	1	10	2	181	32

1. Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Plymouth Argyle

• EFL League One: 2022–23 ^[47]
• EFL Trophy runner-up: 2022–23 ^[48]

References

1. "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
2. "Niall Ennis". 11v11. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
3. "How Wolves' academy are building stars". Express and Star. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
4. "SHROPSHIRE SCHOOLS & COLLEGES PAST PLAYERS CURRENTLY PLAYING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL WITHIN THE PREMIER AND FOOTBALL LEAGUES". SSCFA. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
5. "Wolves sign up young star Niall Ennis to fend off Premier League interest". Express & Star. 13 November 2015.
6. "Ennis turns pro". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 1 July 2016.
7. "Niall Ennis fighting to be fit for Wolves". Express & Star. 14 June 2016.
8. "Great experience for Ennis". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 20 July 2016.
9. "Wolves youngster Niall Ennis suffers broken leg". Express & Star. 28 November 2015.
10. "Niall Ennis: Shrewsbury sign Wolves striker on season loan". BBC Sport. 26 July 2017.
11. "Nottingham Forest 2–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 8 August 2017.
12. "AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
13. "Wolves's Niall Ennis in injury setback". Express & Star. 5 September 2017.
14. "Niall Ennis Recalled". Shrewsbury Town. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
15. "Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–2 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport . BBC. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
16. "Ennis: I've deserved my debut chance". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
17. "Ennis pleased to commit future to Wolves". Wolverhampton Wanderers. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
18. Edwards, Joe (2 August 2019). "Wolves' Niall Ennis and Cameron John head out on loan to Doncaster". Express & Star. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
19. Hoden, Liam (24 August 2019). "Doncaster Rovers 2 Lincoln City 1: Jon Taylor the hero as Rovers make it back-to-back wins". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
20. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
21. "Burton sign Wolves striker Ennis". BBC Sport. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
22. "NIALL ENNIS TO RETURN TO WOLVES". Burton Albion F.C. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
23. "Niall Ennis Signs". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
24. "Niall Ennis: Plymouth Argyle sign Wolves striker on permanent deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
25. "Accrington 0-1 Plymouth: Niall Ennis hits Argyle winner". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
26. "Niall Ennis: 'Outstanding' Plymouth Argyle striker praised by manager Ryan Lowe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
27. "Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
28. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
29. Errington, Chris. "Striker Niall Ennis 'heartbroken' after late Plymouth Argyle drop out". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
30. "Niall thrilled to be back". Plymouth Argyle. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
31. "Plymouth Argyle 0-5 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
32. "Steven Schumacher describes Plymouth Argyle's League One points tally as 'unbelievable'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
33. "Niall Ennis joins Blackburn Rovers after rejecting Plymouth Argyle contract offer". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
34. "Welcome, Niall!". Rovers. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
35. "Blackburn 4–3 Walsall". BBC. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
36. "Blackburn transfer latest: Club reject bid and loan interest". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
37. "Potters sign striker Niall Ennis". Stoke City. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
38. "Dolan double helps Blackburn beat Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
39. Smith, Pete. "Pete Smith's Stoke City end of season player ratings for 35-man squad". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
40. "Southampton 0-1 Stoke City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
41. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
42. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
43. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
44. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
45. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
46. "Games played by Niall Ennis in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
47. "Plymouth beat Port Vale to win League One title". BBC Sport. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
48. Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton crush Plymouth to win Papa Johns Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2023.

External links

• Niall Ennis at Soccerbase
• England profile at The Football Association