Jlloyd Samuel

Jlloyd Tafari Samuel ( JAY-loyd, 29 March 1981 – 15 May 2018) was a professional footballer who played as a defender and midfielder. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, he was raised in England and played for England up to under-21 level. He played 3 seasons for Iranian Esteghlal of the Persian Gulf Pro League. He played two full international matches for Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.

Samuel played as a youth for the London-based junior team Senrab and was in the academies of West Ham United and Charlton Athletic before joining Aston Villa's youth team in 1997 as a trainee. He made a total of 198 appearances for Villa before moving to fellow Premier League club Bolton Wanderers in 2007, where he spent a further four years including a brief spell on loan at Cardiff City in the Championship. Samuel spent the last four years of his professional career in the Iran Pro League, representing Esteghlal and Paykan. He won a Hazfi Cup and a league title with Esteghlal.

After returning to England from Iran, he became player-manager of Cheshire-based amateur team Egerton. He died on 15 May 2018 in a collision between two vehicles, at the age of 37.

Club career

Aston Villa

Jlloyd Tafari Samuel was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, on 29 March 1981, Samuel grew up in London and as a youth he played for Sunday league team Senrab, lining up in 1994 alongside future England internationals John Terry and Jermain Defoe. He was released from West Ham United on the same day as Paul Konchesky, Bobby Zamora (both of whom later returned to the Hammers) and Fitz Hall.