Etiënne Esajas

Infobox Football biography
playername = Etiënne Esajas


fullname = Etiënne Esajas
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|11|4
cityofbirth = Amsterdam
countryofbirth = Netherlands
height =
currentclub = Sheffield Wednesday
clubnumber = 11
position = Winger
years = 2005-2007
2007-
clubs = Vitesse
Sheffield Wednesday
caps(goals) = 32 (2)
19 (3)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 21:01, 9 July 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Etiënne Esajas (born 4 November 1984) is a Dutch footballer who currently plays for Sheffield Wednesday. He signed from Vitesse in August 2007 for an undisclosed fee after being recommended by head scout James Tomlinson. Esajas is a winger who was born in Amsterdam and made his debut in professional football, being part of the Vitesse squad in the 2005–06 season.

Esajas has signed a three-year deal at Hillsborough and wears squad number 11. He was signed as a replacement for Chris Brunt who left at the beginning of August 2007 in a £3 million move to West Bromwich Albion. He made his Owls debut as a 55th minute substitute for Burton O'Brien in the 1–0 defeat to Bristol City. He performed well on his debut and almost scored an equaliser in the 88th minute but had his free kick saved by Adriano Basso. His performance earnt him a starting place for the next game, the 1-0 defeat to Preston North End.

On 11 September 2007, Esajas scored twice in a 5–1 away victory for SWFC reserves at Grimsby Town. A bright start to his first season in England saw him voted player of the month by fans of Sheffield Wednesday, however much of Esajas' first season at Hillsborough was hit by injury and he only made 6 starts and 13 substitute appearances in all competitions. [ [http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10304~1385236,00.html] ]

Esasjas did not start Wednesday's first league game of the 2008–09 season, but instead had to settle for a start against Rotherham United in the League Cup on 12 August 2008. It turned out to be a game of mixed emotions for Esajas; he scored his first two goals for Sheffield Wednesday in spectacular fashion – he opened the scoring with a swerving drive from 20 yards after beating two defenders in the 14th minute, and thought he had put his side through to the next round with a 25-yard curling free kick in the 117th minute. However the game went to penalties at 2–2 after extra time, and Esajas saw his kick hit the outside of the post in front of the Hillsborough Kop end. Esajas was the only player to miss from the spot, and "the Owls" lost 5–3.

He kept his starting position for the next two games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Preston North End. He had a high quality first 45 minutes at Wolves, including a 20 yard opener for the Owls, before being taken off at half time with a tight hamstring. The performance led to him being included in the Championship team of the week [http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/ff/5/0,,10794~132607,00.pdf] and eventually he gained his second Sheffield Wednesday player of the month award. [ [http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10304~1385236,00.html]

References

* [http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10304~38492,00.html Etiënne Esajas player profile] at swfc.co.uk
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*ESPNsoccernet|id=67826|name=Etiënne Esajas