Nortei Nortey

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Nortei Nortey

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|fullname = Nii Nortei Nortey{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2017.ashx|title=List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2017 and 31/07/2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024154145/http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2017.ashx|archive-date=24 October 2019|website=www.thefa.com|access-date=24 October 2019|url-status=dead|publisher=The Football Association}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|10|29|df=y}}

|birth_place = Hammersmith, London, England

|height = {{height|m=1.80}}{{cite web | url=https://www.unionomaha.com/news/2024/01/16/union-omaha-signs-chelsea-academy-graduate-nortei-nortey/ | title=Union Omaha Signs Chelsea Academy Graduate Nortei Nortey }}

|position = Midfielder

|currentclub = Union Omaha

|clubnumber = 8

|youthyears1 = 2008–2013

|youthclubs1 = Chelsea

|youthyears2 = 2014

|youthclubs2 = Maidenhead United

|years1 = 2015–2016 |clubs1 = Welling United |caps1 = 32 |goals1 = 1

|years2 = 2016–2017 |clubs2 = Wrexham |caps2 = 6 |goals2 = 0

|years3 = 2016–2017 |clubs3 = → Solihull Moors (loan) |caps3 = 3 |goals3 = 0

|years4 = 2017 |clubs4 = Solihull Moors |caps4 = 15 |goals4 = 1

|years5 = 2017–2019 |clubs5 = Dover Athletic |caps5 = 67 |goals5 = 6

|years6 = 2019–2020 |clubs6 = Chorley |caps6 = 24 |goals6 = 0

|years7 = 2020–2021 |clubs7 = Queen of the South |caps7 = 10 |goals7 = 1

|years8 = 2022–2023 |clubs8 = Northern Colorado Hailstorm |caps8 = 58 |goals8 = 3

|years9 = 2024– |clubs9 = Union Omaha |caps9 = 16 |goals9 = 1

|club-update = 11:31, 12 November 2024 (UTC)

}}

Nii Nortei Nortey (born 29 October 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Union Omaha in USL League One.

Nortey started his career at Chelsea's academy but was released in 2013 and had a spell at Maidenhead United before joining Welling United in August 2015, where he started his senior career. He joined Wrexham ahead of the following season, but made just 6 league appearances before joining Solihull Moors on loan in December 2016, before joining them permanently in January 2017.

He signed for Dover Athletic in summer 2017, before being released at the end of the 2018–19 season after 6 goals in 67 league matches. He joined Chorley in September 2019 but left the club after their relegation to the National League North. He signed for Scottish Championship side Queen of the South in October 2020.

Early and personal life

Nortey's parents are both from Ghana,{{Cite web |date=5 October 2020 |title=QosFC: Introducing – Nortei Nortey |url=https://www.qosfc.com/news-5252 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=www.qosfc.com |publisher=Queen of the South F.C.}} but he was born in Hammersmith, London,{{Cite web |date=22 June 2016 |title=Dragons swoop for former Welling duo |url=https://nonleaguedaily.com/dragons-swoop-for-former-welling-duo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208182126/https://nonleaguedaily.com/dragons-swoop-for-former-welling-duo/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=8 December 2020 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Non League Daily}} and grew up in London.

=Welling United=

{{Cite web |date=11 August 2015 |title=Welling sign ex-Chelsea youth Nortey |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33862554 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} Having subsequently had multiple trial spells across Europe, including at Sheffield Wednesday,{{Cite web |last=Badcock |first=Matt |date=16 December 2017 |title=A battle against adversity – The NLP meets Nortei Nortey |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/21234/a-battle-against-adversity-the-nlp-meets-nortei-nortey/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=The Non-League Paper}}{{Cite web |last=Okai Gyimah |first=Edmund |date=22 February 2014 |title=Ex-Chelsea defender Nortey joins Maidenhead |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghanaian-football/2014/02/22/4638504/ex-chelsea-defender-nortey-joins-maidenhead |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Goal}} he joined Maidenhead United on a free transfer in February 2014.{{Cite web |last=Carswell |first=Andy |date=1 July 2014 |title=Gaz won't make Nortey step in pre-season trialist hunt |url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/11312185.gaz-wont-make-nortey-step-in-pre-season-trialist-hunt/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Bucks Free Press}} On 11 August 2015, he joined National League side Welling United on a short-term deal. He made his senior debut as a half-time substitute in a 1–0 away defeat to Forest Green Rovers that same day.{{Cite web |last=Doig |first=Mark |date=11 August 2015 |title=Welling suffer narrow defeat at Forest Green |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/otherfootball/13588640.forest-green-rovers-1-0-welling-united/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=News Shopper}} His full Welling debut came on 19 September in a 2–1 away victory over Gateshead.{{Cite web |last=Dance |first=James |date=20 September 2015 |title=Gateshead 1–2 Welling United |url=https://www.kentsportsnews.com/gateshead-1-2-welling-united-19-09-2015/football-welling-away-242/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Kent Sports News}} He scored his first senior goal on 28 March 2016 with a near-post flick – the winning goal of a 2–1 victory over Woking.{{Cite web |date=28 March 2016 |title=Welling United 2–1 Woking |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35859776 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web |last=Black |first=James |date=29 March 2016 |title=Nortey finish from Wings star |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/sport/nortey-finish-from-wings-star-93423/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Kent Online |language=en}} Nortey made 32 league appearances for Welling – scoring once – as Welling were relegated to the National League South after finishing bottom of the National League on 35 points.{{Cite web |date=30 May 2016 |title=Ups and downs in England and Scotland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35904536 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web |title=National League Table – 2015/2016 Season |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2015 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Sky Sports}}

=Wrexham and Solihull Moors=

On 22 June 2016, he joined National League side Wrexham on a one-year deal.{{Cite web |date=22 June 2016 |title=Wrexham sign Nortey and Bakare |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36602125 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He made his debut as a 93rd minute substitute in a 3–2 victory away to Guiseley on 9 August 2016.{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Rob |date=9 August 2016 |title=Paul Rutherford screamer sees Wrexham AFC open their National League account |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/paul-rutherford-screamer-sees-wrexham-11727872 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Daily Post}} His first start of the season came on 10 September in a 1–0 home victory over Sutton United, but was substituted off at half-time.{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Rob |date=10 September 2016 |title=Wrexham 1 : 0 Sutton United: Dragons score with their only shot of the game after disappointing first half |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/wrexham-1--0-sutton-11869612 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Daily Post}} Having made 6 league appearances, he joined fellow National League club Solihull Moors on a one-month loan deal on 6 December 2016.{{Cite web |date=6 December 2016 |title=Solihull sign Wrexham's Nortey on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38224858 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Rob |date=6 December 2016 |title=Nortei Nortey is the latest player to leave Wrexham AFC |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nortei-nortey-latest-player-leave-12283170 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Daily Post}} After making three league appearances during his loan spell, he joined Solihull Moors on a permanent basis on 6 January 2017 following the termination of his contract at Wrexham.{{Cite web |date=6 January 2017 |title=Solihull make Nortey move permanent |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38533841 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He scored his first goal for Solihull on 18 March 2017 in the 90th minute of a 4–1 victory over North Ferriby United after coming on as a substitute.{{Cite web |date=18 March 2017 |title=North Ferriby United 1–4 Solihull Moors |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39240323 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Steve |date=20 March 2017 |title=Liam McDonald 'delighted' with Solihull Moors performance as they thump North Ferriby United |url=https://solihullobserver.co.uk/sport/liam-mcdonald-delighted-with-solihull-moors-performance-as-they-thump-north-ferriby-united/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Solihull Observer}} He scored once in 15 league matches during his permanent spell at the club.

=Dover Athletic=

Nortey joined National League Dover Athletic on a one-year deal following a trial period in July 2017.{{Cite web |date=28 July 2017 |title=Dover bring in midfielder Nortey |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40752679 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He started their opening game of the season as Dover defeated Hartlepool United 1–0 away from home on 5 August.{{Cite web |date=5 August 2017 |title=Hartlepool United 0–1 Dover Athletic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40761291 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He scored his first goal for Dover on 16 September 2017 as they won 4–0 at home to Chester, with Nortey scoring the third after 70 minutes.{{Cite web |date=16 September 2017 |title=Dover Athletic 4–0 Chester |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41210101 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} He scored five goals in 33 matches for Dover during the 2017–18 National League. The 2018–19 season saw him make 34 appearances in the National League, scoring once with the opening goal of a 4–3 victory over Havant & Waterlooville on 14 August 2018.{{Cite web |date=14 August 2018 |title=Dover Athletic 4–3 Havant & Waterlooville |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45093003 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} However, he was released by Dover at the end of his contract in summer 2019.{{Cite web |last=Hogwood |first=Cameron |date=1 May 2019 |title=Who's staying and going at Dover? |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/sport/whos-staying-and-going-at-dover-203812/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Kent Online |language=en}}

=Chorley=

In September 2019, Nortey joined Chorley, having spent pre-season on trial with Bradford City.{{Cite web |last=Lord |first=Adam |date=25 September 2019 |title=Chorley sign former Dover midfielder Nortei Nortey |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/17927318.chorley-sign-former-dover-midfielder-nortei-nortey/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Lancashire Telegraph}} He made his debut on 24 September as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat at home to Barrow.{{Cite web |last=Birch |first=Alex |date=24 September 2019 |title=Magpies hit by Barrow fightback |url=https://www.chorleyfc.com/2019/09/24/recap-barrow-h/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=chorleyfc.com |publisher=Chorley F.C.}}{{Cite web |date=24 September 2019 |title=Chorley 1–3 Barrow |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49723525 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} His full debut was a 0–0 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge on 28 September 2019. Following the early conclusion of the National League season in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England with Chorley bottom after 38 games,{{Cite web |date=13 June 2020 |title=National League to vote on proposals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53020825 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} they were relegated to the National League North after the table was decided on a points per game system, with Chorley finishing bottom.{{Cite web |title=National League Table – 2019/2020 Season |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/competitions/vanarama-national-league/table/2019 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Sky Sports}}{{Cite web |last=Norcliffe |first=Liam |date=16 July 2020 |title=Relegation for Chorley, AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet United confirmed as FA ratifies National League conclusion |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/relegation-chorley-afc-fylde-and-ebbsfleet-united-confirmed-football-association-ratifies-national-league-season-conclusion-2915769 |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=Derbyshire Times}} Nortey appeared in 24 league matches for Chorley, but was released by Chorley at the end of the season.{{Cite web |last=Birch |first=Alex |date=2 July 2020 |title=Remaining 2019/20 squad members depart |url=https://www.chorleyfc.com/2020/07/02/remaining-2019-20-squad-members-depart/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=chorleyfc.com |publisher=Chorley F.C.}}

=Queen of the South=

Nortey signed for Scottish Championship club Queen of the South in October 2020 until the 31 May 2021.

=Northern Colorado Hailstorm=

On 27 January 2022, Nortey moved to the United States to sign with third-tier USL League One club Northern Colorado Hailstorm ahead of their inaugural season.{{cite web |title=CHELSEA FC ACADEMY GRADUATE NORTEI NORTEY JOINS HAILSTORM FC |url=https://www.hailstormfc.com/news_article/show/1205817 |website=HailstormFC.com |access-date=28 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=Chelsea FC Academy Graduate Nortei Nortey Joins Hailstorm FC |url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1206026 |website=USLLeagueOne.com |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=28 January 2022}}

=Union Omaha=

Nortey joined Union Omaha of USL League One on 16 January 2024.{{cite web |last1=Y. |first1=Jack |title=UNION OMAHA SIGNS CHELSEA ACADEMY GRADUATE NORTEI NORTEY |url=https://www.unionomaha.com/news/2024/01/16/union-omaha-signs-chelsea-academy-graduate-nortei-nortey/ |website=UnionOmaha.com |publisher=Union Omaha |access-date=16 January 2024}}

International career

Nortey was born in England but is also eligible to represent Ghana at international level.

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Welling United \|2015–16 \|rowspan="6"\|National League \|32	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	32	1
Wrexham \|rowspan="3"\|2016–17 \|6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Solihull Moors (loan) \|3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Solihull Moors \|15	1	0	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=FAT\|Appearances in the FA Trophy}}	0	16	1
rowspan="3"\|Dover Athletic \|2017–18 \|33	5	2	0	0	0	3{{efn\|name=FAT}}	0	38	5
2018–19 \|34	1	2	0	0	0	3{{efn\|name=FAT}}	0	39	1
colspan="2"\|Total !67	6	4	0	0	0	6	0	77	6
rowspan="3"\|Chorley \|2019–20 \|rowspan="2"\|National League \|24	0	2	0	0	0	1{{efn\|name=FAT}}	0	27	0
2020–21 \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Colspan="2"\|Total !24	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	27	0
Queen of the South (loan) \|2020–21 \|Scottish Championship \|10	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	12	1
colspan="3"\|Career total !157	9	6	0	2	0	7	0	172	9