Zain Westbrooke

Zain Westbrooke

Personal information
Full name	Zain Sam Westbrooke [1]
Date of birth	(1996-10-28) 28 October 1996 (age 27)
Place of birth	Chertsey, England [2]
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) [2]
Position(s)	Central midfielder
Team information
Current team	Doncaster Rovers
Number	24
Youth career
0000–2011	Chelsea
2011–2015	Brentford
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2018	Brentford	1	(0)
2017	→ Solihull Moors (loan)	2	(0)
2017–2018	→ Leyton Orient (loan)	5	(0)
2018–2020	Coventry City	32	(4)
2020–2023	Bristol Rovers	46	(2)
2022	→ Stevenage (loan)	12	(0)
2023–	Doncaster Rovers	35	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:02, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

Zain Sam Westbrooke (born 28 October 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL League Two club Doncaster Rovers.

Westbrooke is a graduate of the Brentford academy and made his professional breakthrough with Coventry City, before transferring to Bristol Rovers in 2020. He transferred to Doncaster Rovers in 2023.

Career

Brentford

Westbrooke began his career in the academy at Chelsea, before moving to West London neighbours Brentford in 2011 and signing scholarship forms at the end of the 2012–13 season. ^{[3] [4] [5]} By the completion of his scholarship in April 2015, he had made 55 appearances and scored four goals for the youth team, ^{[6] [7] [8]} in addition to scoring two goals in eight matches for the Development Squad during the 2014–15 season. ^[9] Westbrooke signed a one-year Development Squad contract for the 2015–16 season and by November 2015 he had impressed sufficiently to sign a one-year extension. ^{[10] [11]} He finished the 2015–16 season with 23 appearances and one goal. ^[12]

Westbrooke was named captain of the new B team for the 2016–17 season and signed a new one-year contract on 17 February 2017. ^[4] He topped the B team's appearance-chart during the 2016–17 season, making 38 appearances and scoring six goals. ^[13] He also voted the B Team Players' Player of the Year. ^[14] Westbrooke was called into the first team squad for the final two matches of the 2016–17 season and made his debut in the West London derby with Fulham as a 76th-minute substitute for Konstantin Kerschbaumer on 29 April 2017. ^[2]

Mounting injuries led to Westbrooke's inclusion on the first team bench for a league match versus Ipswich Town on 19 August 2017, but he remained an unused substitute during the 2–0 defeat. ^[2] Westbrooke subsequently spent much of the first half of the 2017–18 season away on loan at National League clubs Solihull Moors and Leyton Orient, ^{[15] [16]} for both of whom he appeared sparingly. ^{[13] [17] [2]} After his return on 10 January 2018, ^{[13] [17]} Westbrooke spent the remainder of the 2017–18 season with the B team. ^[18] He departed Griffin Park on 7 May 2018. ^[19]

Coventry City

On 7 May 2018, Westbrooke joined Coventry City on a two-year contract on a free transfer, with the option of a further year, effective 1 July 2018. ^[20] The club's victory in the 2018 League Two play-off final, after the announcement of his transfer, meant that he began his time with the club in League One. ^[21] After a substitute appearance in an EFL Trophy group stage match, Westbrooke made his full debut for the club with a start in a 1–0 win over Southend United on 29 December 2018. ^[22] He had a short run in the team in late-January and early-February 2019 and finished the 2018–19 season with eight appearances. ^{[22] [23]}

Westbrooke broke into the team and made 33 appearances and scored four goals during the truncated 2019–20 season, ^[24] which ended with promotion to the Championship as League One champions. ^[25] After making 41 appearances and scoring four goals during his two seasons with Coventry City, ^[26] Westbrooke transferred out of the club in August 2020. ^[27]

Bristol Rovers

On 3 August 2020, Westbrooke signed a three-year contract with League One club Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee. ^[27] He made 49 appearances and scored three goals during a 2020–21 season which culminated in relegation to League Two. ^{[28] [29]} After appearing in the first two matches of the 2021–22 season, ^[30] manager Joey Barton dropped Westbrooke from the matchday squad and revealed that he was free to leave the club. ^[31] A move did not materialise before the end of the summer transfer window and Westbrooke remained at the Memorial Stadium. ^[32] He made a further seven appearances, predominantly in cup competitions, ^[30] before joining League Two club Stevenage on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season on 17 January 2022. ^[33] Westbrooke made 12 appearances during his spell and in his absence, ^[30] Bristol Rovers were automatically promoted back to League One. ^[29]

Returning to the Memorial Stadium for the 2022–23 pre-season, manager Joey Barton stated that Westbrooke's performances in training and matches had "done nothing but enhance his claim" for a first team place. ^[34] Though he started in the opening match of the regular season versus Forest Green Rovers, ^[35] Westbrooke was subsequently barred from first team training and was told he was free to leave the club. ^[36] A move did not materialise before the end of the summer transfer window. ^[37] After making just two EFL Trophy appearances since the opening day of the season, ^[35] Westbrooke's contract was terminated by mutual consent on 23 January 2023. ^[38] He made 61 appearances and scored four goals during 2+1⁄2 years at the Memorial Stadium. ^[26]

Doncaster Rovers

Following a period training with Walsall, ^[39] Westbrooke joined League Two club Doncaster Rovers as a free agent on 24 March 2023 and signed a contract running until the end of the 2022–23 season. ^[40] He made eight appearances and signed a one-year contract at the end of the season. ^{[35] [41]} Either side of three months out with a thigh muscle tear suffered in early December 2023, ^{[42] [43]} Westbrooke made 34 appearances and scored two goals during the 2023–24 season, ^[44] which culminated in a playoff semi-final defeat. ^[45] He signed a new two-year contract in March 2024, ^[46] effective 1 July 2024. ^[47]

Personal life

Westbrooke attended Woking High School. ^[3] In December 2020, Westbrooke tested positive for COVID-19 and missed one match. ^{[48] [49]}

Career statistics

As of match played 10 May 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup [lower-alpha 1]		League cup [lower-alpha 2]		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Brentford	2016–17 [50]	Championship	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2017–18 [51]	Championship	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
Solihull Moors (loan)	2017–18 [51]	National League	2	0	—		—		—		2	0
Leyton Orient (loan)	2017–18 [2]	National League	5	0	3	0	—		0	0	8	0
Coventry City	2018–19 [22]	League One	7	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	8	0
	2019–20 [52]	League One	25	4	6	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	33	4
	Total		32	4	6	0	1	0	2	0	41	4
Bristol Rovers	2020–21 [28]	League One	42	2	3	0	1	0	3 [lower-alpha 3]	1	49	3
	2021–22 [30]	League Two	3	0	2	0	1	0	3 [lower-alpha 3]	1	9	1
	2022–23 [35]	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 3]	0	3	0
	Total		46	2	5	0	2	0	8	2	61	4
Stevenage (loan)	2021–22 [30]	League Two	12	0	—		—		—		12	0
Doncaster Rovers	2022–23 [35]	League Two	8	0	—		—		—		8	0
	2023–24 [44]	League Two	27	1	2	1	2	0	4 [lower-alpha 4]	0	35	2
	Total		35	1	2	1	2	0	4	0	43	2
Career total			134	7	16	1	5	0	14	2	168	10

1. Includes FA Cup
2. Includes EFL Cup
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
4. 3 appearances in EFL Trophy, 1 appearance in League Two play-offs

Honours

Coventry City

• EFL League One: 2019–20 ^[25]

Individual

• Brentford B Players' Player of the Year: 2016–17 ^[14]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Bristol Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 14. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
2. Zain Westbrooke at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
3. "Winter 2010 Newsletter" (PDF). Woking High School. p. 20. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
4. Brett, Ciaran. "Brentford B captain Zain Westbrooke signs new one-year contract" . Retrieved 30 April 2017.
5. Wickham, Chris. "Academy Contracts". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
6. Brett, Ciaran. "Youth Team Stats 2012/13". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
7. Brett, Ciaran. "2013/14 Youth Team Statistics". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
8. Brett, Ciaran. "2014/15 Youth Team player statistics". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
9. Brett, Ciaran. "2014/15 Development Squad Stats". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
10. Brett, Ciaran. "Zain Westbrooke looking forward to working under Lee Carsley in Development Squad as he signs Brentford deal". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
11. Wickham, Chris. "James Ferry, Zain Westbrooke and Tom Field sign new contracts". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
12. "2015/16 Development Squad Stats". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
13. "Zain Westbrooke returns from Orient loan" . Retrieved 14 January 2018.
14. Brett, Ciaran. "Awards picked up at Brentford Player of the Year Dinner" . Retrieved 8 May 2017.
15. "Zain Westbrooke joins Solihull Moors on loan" . Retrieved 3 September 2017.
16. "Westbrooke makes Orient loan switch" . Retrieved 11 October 2017.
17. "Reece Cole and Zain Westbrooke return to Jersey Road" . Retrieved 2 October 2017.
18. "Zain Westbrooke: 'we're a strong force'" . Retrieved 6 May 2018.
19. "Zain Westbrooke moves on" . Retrieved 10 May 2018.
20. "Transfer: Sky Blues Complete The Signing Of Zain Westbrooke" . Retrieved 10 May 2018.
21. Coventry City F.C. at the Football Club History Database
22. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
23. "Interview: "It's Been Good To Be Involved"". www.ccfc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
24. "News: Coventry City confirmed as League One Champions and promoted to the Championship!". www.ccfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
25. Lowe, Alex. "Season Review: Zain Westbrooke". www.ccfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
26. Zain Westbrooke at Soccerbase
27. "Zain Westbrooke seals move to the Gas!". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
28. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
29. Bristol Rovers F.C. at the Football Club History Database
30. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
31. "Joey Barton reveals Bristol Rovers midfielder is free to leave after disappointing 12 months". Bristol Post. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
32. "Former Coventry City midfielder to stay with Bristol Rovers after lack of deadline day offers". Bristol Post. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
33. "Zain Westbrooke joins Boro on loan". www.stevenagefc.com. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
34. Frost, Sam (21 July 2022). "Barton outlines Westbrooke's place in his plans at Rovers after loan woes". BristolLive. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
35. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
36. Frost, Sam (4 August 2022). "Barton tells Clarke, Rodman and Westbrooke to find new clubs". BristolLive. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
37. Piercy, James; Frost, Sam (1 September 2022). "Bristol Rovers transfer deadline day live: The latest from the Mem". BristolLive. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
38. "Westbrooke Leaves Rovers". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
39. Jenkins, Paul (8 February 2023). "Free agent Zain Westbrooke training with Walsall". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
40. "Zain Westbrooke signs for Rovers". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
41. "Zain Westbrooke signs new contract". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
42. "'We know them, they know us' – McCann on opposition familiarity ahead of Accrington visit". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
43. "Report | Walsall 3 Rovers 1". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
44. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
45. Doncaster Rovers F.C. at the Football Club History Database
46. "New Deal | Zain Westbrooke extends Rovers stay". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
47. "Rovers confirm retained and released list at end of 23/24 season". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
48. "Tisdale explains Jaakkola, Oztumer, Grant and Westbrooke absences for Bristol Rovers at MK Dons". Bristol Post. 26 December 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
49. "Match Report: Bristol Rovers 2–1 Blackpool". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
50. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
51. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
52. "Games played by Zain Westbrooke in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2019.

External links

• Zain Westbrooke at Soccerbase
• Zain Westbrooke at doncasterroversfc.co.uk