Luke Chadwick

Luke Harry Chadwick (born 18 November 1980) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Chadwick began his career at Manchester United where he made 25 Premier League appearances in four seasons.

He made his professional debut on 13 October 1999 in the third round of the League Cup as a young United side lost 3–0 at Aston Villa.

After loans at Royal Antwerp in Belgium, he made his Premier League debut on 11 November 2000 in a 2–1 home win over Middlesbrough as an added-time substitute for Dwight Yorke.

He scored two league goals in the title-winning 2000–01 season, one in a 3–0 win at Bradford City on 13 January 2001 and the other on 3 March in a 1–1 draw at Leeds United.

After playing rarely for United in 18 months, Chadwick went on a one-month loan to First Division team Reading in February 2003.

He was inspired by Arsenal's Matthew Upson increasing his standing by making the same move.

On his debut for the Royals on 10 February, he equalised in a 2–1 home win over Gillingham.

His deal was extended until the end of the season.

He helped the club to the play-off semi-finals, where they were ousted by eventually promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In July 2003, Chadwick was loaned for the season to First Division side Burnley.

He missed pre-season due to two jaw operations as part of a two-year treatment.

In 40 total games he scored six goals, including two in a 4–0 win over Bradford on 20 September; after that game, he conceded that he may have to leave United.

While at Old Trafford he spent time out on loan at Reading and Burnley before joining West Ham United on a permanent basis in the summer of 2004.

On 2 August 2004, Chadwick moved to West Ham United of the newly renamed Championship on a free transfer.

He was signed by Alan Pardew, who had led him at Reading.

In his only season, he scored a goal on 10 December to open a 1–1 home draw with Leeds.

Chadwick joined Stoke City on loan at the start of the 2005–06 season.

A year later, he joined Stoke City on loan before making the move permanent in January 2006.

He remained at Stoke until November 2006 making 55 appearances before joining Norwich City.

On 4 January 2006, the transfer was made permanent for a fee of £100,000, on a deal lasting until the summer of 2008 with the option of one more year.

In the season opener away to Southend United on 6 August 2006, Chadwick was carried off after collapsing.

It was confirmed that he was suffering only from dehydration.

On 13 November 2006, Chadwick signed on loan for Norwich City until 3 January; he was signed by Peter Grant, who had worked with him at Reading and West Ham.

On his debut six days later, he opened the scoring in a 3–1 loss at rivals Ipswich Town.

He suffered a knee injury in that match, ruling him out until March.

After his loan ended, he signed a 21⁄2-year deal for a £200,000 fee.

He said that his transfer was due to his wife and children returning to Cambridge.

His injury problems continued into the following season as he struggled for fitness.

Injuries restricted his time at Carrow Road and he moved to Milton Keynes Dons in October 2008.

On 1 October 2008, Chadwick was loaned to League One club Milton Keynes Dons for three months.

He scored three goals in the eight games of his loan, including a brace on 28 October in a 2–1 win at Leyton Orient.

He returned to Norwich in the middle of November due to a knee injury.

He moved permanently on a 21⁄2-year deal at the turn of the year, on a free transfer.

Chadwick was MK Dons' Player of the Season for 2009–10 and 2010–11, with the latter season ending in a 4–3 aggregate elimination in the playoff semi-finals by Peterborough United.

In March 2014, Chadwick joined Cambridge United, the club he supported as a child.

He was released at the end of the 2014–15 season.

Born in Cambridge, Chadwick had a three-week trial at his favourite club Cambridge United at the age of 10.

After a spell at Arsenal, he was signed to the Manchester United youth system.

On 17 December, he came on in the 80th minute for Dennis Irwin at home to Liverpool and was sent off for a foul on Vladimír Šmicer in a 1–0 loss.