Meet Haji Wright, the USMNT forward that stole the show against Man Utd
- Haji Wright came off the bench to score a stoppage-time penalty in the FA Cup vs Man Utd
- The American striker scored the first penalty of the shootout after extra time
- The 26-year-old has been in top form for the Sky Blues this season
Coventry City striker Haji Wright was bagging goals in Denmark and Turkey before coming off the bench to score a stoppage-time penalty against Manchester United in the FA Cup semifinals.
Wright gave us one of the best moments in recent history of the FA Cup as his last-gasp penalty diminished United's 3-0 goal advantage and gave plenty of hope that the Sky Blues could actually pull off the shock upset. His cool composure from 12 yards out saw an American score at Wembley Stadium in a semifinal, as plenty watching back home in the States rejoiced for the 26-year-old.
Even though Coventry were unable to get past United in the shootout, his late heroics sparked the question: Who exactly is Wright, the Sky Blues' striker that gave his side a chance at the end of regulation?
Youth career in Germany
It all began back in January 2016 when Wright joined the historic Schalke 04 academy. Wright quickly proved himself in the U-19 setup, bagging 15 goals in 30 appearances to earn a loan move out to Sandhausen, who now play in the third tier of German soccer.
After one goal scored in 15 appearances on loan, Wright returned to Schalke for the 2018/19 season -- when Schalke were still in the Bundesliga -- to score one goal in seven appearances. That season would end up being Wright's last at the VELTINS-Arena, as he departed the club on a free transfer the following summer.
A short spell in the Eredivisie
Wright then opted to sign for Dutch side VVV-Venlo on a free transfer from Schalke, where he struggled to find his footing in the Eredivisie.
In just one season in the Netherlands, Wright managed just one goal in 23 appearances before departing for the Danish top flight.
Back and forth between Denmark and Turkey
Wright remained in Europe but chose to sign for Danish side Sonderjyske in August 2020. This is when Wright's career really started to pick up, as he notched 13 goals over the course of the 2020/21 season before going out on loan to Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super League. Wright continued to find the back of the net, amassing 15 goals in 35 appearances for Antalyaspor in the 2021/22 season.
His stellar play in his first season in Turkey saw Antalyaspor bring him back to the club on a permanent basis in the summer of 2022. Antalyaspor and Sonderjyske agreed to a fee just north of $2m, and Wright went on to to bag another 16 goals in the Turkish Super League before departing for the EFL Championship last August.
His new home at the Coventry Building Society Arena
Wright's excellent generated plenty of interest from clubs in Europe, but it was Coventry who were able to land the USMNT figure. The Sky Blues shelled out roughly $9.5m to sign Wright, and his transfer just may have gone under the radar as one of the best bits of business done by a Championship club last summer.
As Wright became Coventy's second-most expensive player in club history, he was expected to be one of the league's best strikers -- and he's done exactly that. Wright has totaled 18 goals -- his most ever in a singel season -- in 46 appearances since joining last summer. His 15 league goals are the seventh-most in the Championship, and he'll look to replicate that number next term to increase Coventry's chances of promotion to the Premier League.