Jeff Whitley

Jeffrey Whitley (born January 28, 1979) is a football player who has played for Manchester City and Northern Ireland but presently plays for Cardiff City.

Born in Zambia, Whitley moved to England at the age of seven. He first played for the England under-17 team, and in 1996 joined Manchester City as a midfielder. As his father was born in Belfast he was eligible to play for three international teams: Northern Ireland, Zambia, or England. He chose Northern Ireland and played his first game for them in a friendly match against Italy in 1997. He was also the first black player to play for Northern Ireland.

In 2003 he moved to Sunderland to join his international teammate George McCartney at the Stadium of Light.

Notable goals include one against Wales in a 2004 World Cup qualifier in Cardiff, and against West Ham United in 2004, when he actually scored with a tackle.

At the end of the 2004/2005 season, after helping them to win the Football League Championship, Sunderland released Whitley from his contract. And later he signed for Cardiff City.

He also has a twin brother Jim who plays professionally for Wrexham as a defender. Jeff was sent home recently from the Northern Ireland squad for disciplinary reasons as he missed a curfew set by manager Lawrie Sanchez.