Tendayi Darikwa

Early life

Born to Zimbabwean father and a mother of British and Caribbean heritage in Nottingham, Darikwa was raised in neighbouring West Bridgford and attended Abbey Road Primary School.

Club career

Chesterfield

Darikwa started his career at Chesterfield, signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2010, before joining Barrow on loan with fellow Chesterfield player Craig Clay in October 2010.

He made his debut for Chesterfield on 27 November 2010, replacing Deane Smalley in the 55th minute of Chesterfield's 3–1 FA Cup defeat at Burton Albion.

Darikwa made his league debut for Chesterfield in the 2011–12 season when he started away to hometown club Notts County. He was offered a new one-year contract by the club in May 2012.

Due to good league performances early in 2012–13 season, after the appointment of new manager Paul Cook in late October 2012, Darikwa signed a one-year contract extension until 2015. He then received national recognition by winning the Football League Young Player of the Month for December 2012 In October 2013, Darikwa was linked with a move to Premier League club Manchester United, with manager David Moyes scouting the player. Darikwa said he was "flattered" by the interest, but felt he was "not ready" to play at that level.

On 30 March 2014, he played at Wembley Stadium in Chesterfield's 3–1 defeat to Peterborough United in the final of the Football League Trophy. He also played a vital role in helping the club get promoted when they won the League Two title at the end of the 2013–14 season.

After being converted from a right winger to a right back during the 2013–14 season, for the 2014–15 season Darikwa's squad number was changed from 7 to 2 to reflect his positional change. On 7 April 2015, he scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season with a headed goal in a victory against Crewe Alexandra. After another impressive season in his converted right back position, Darikwa helped Chesterfield reach the League One play-offs in 2014–15; however, they were beaten over two legs in the semi-final against Preston North End.

On 6 May 2015, Darikwa won four awards at the Chesterfield end of season awards, where he won the Player of the Year Award and Players' Player of the Season Award.

Burnley

Darikwa signed a three-year contract with Championship club Burnley on 30 July 2015. On 8 August 2015, the opening day of the 2015–16 season, he made his debut for Burnley against Leeds United in a 1–1 draw, getting the assist for Sam Vokes' equaliser. On 26 September, he scored his first goal for Burnley in a 2–1 loss to Reading.

Nottingham Forest

Darikwa signed a four-year contract with Nottingham Forest on 26 July 2017. He made his league debut for the club on 4 August 2017 in a 1–0 home win over Millwall.

Wigan Athletic

On 11 January 2021, Darikwa joined League One side Wigan Athletic on a short-term contract until the end of the season, making his debut for the club on 16 January in a 3–3 draw with Rochdale. Darikwa signed a two-year contract with the club on 1 July 2021. He scored his first goal for Wigan in a 2–0 win at Charlton Athletic on 21 August 2021.

Apollon Limassol

On 27 June 2023, Darikwa was announced to have agreed a deal in principle to join Cypriot First Division club Apollon Limassol.

Lincoln City

On 5 July 2024, Darikwa joined Lincoln City on a one-year deal with the option of another year. He made his debut on 10 August in a 3–2 win against Burton Albion in which he scored Lincoln's second goal with a low header. On the 3 January 2025, Darikwa signed a new contract until the summer of 2026 with a club option for a further 12 months. He was voted the clubs Player of the Season after his first season at the club.

He was named as captain ahead of the 2025–26 season. In January 2026, the club exercised their one-year option, extending this contract until the summer of 2027.

International career

In October 2013, Darikwa revealed he was keen to play for the Zimbabwe national team, but reconsidered his position after being asked to pay a "processing fee" by a former Zimbabwe Football Association official. He did reveal he would consider any future approach from Zimbabwe or England. Darikwa made his debut for Zimbabwe on 8 November 2017 in a friendly defeat to Lesotho.

Career statistics

Club

International

• Chesterfield Player of the Year: 2014–15
• Chesterfield Players' Player of the Season: 2014–15

References

References

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