Quick Facts
Biography
Tendayi David Darikwa (born 13 December 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back or winger for Burnley.
Early life
Born to Zimbabwean expat parents in Nottingham, he was raised in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
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 in the FA Cup, in a 3–1 defeat by Burton Albion in the 55th minute replacing Deane Smalley.
Darikwa made his league debut for Chesterfield in the 2011–2012 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 the then manager David Moyes scouting the player. Darikwa said he was flattered in 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 Championship 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 his usual number 7 shirt 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 finals 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
On 30 July 2015, Darikwa signed a three-year-deal with Sky Bet Championship side Burnley. 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' equalizer. On 26 September, he scored his first goal for Burnley in a 2–1 loss to Reading.
International career
Due to his Zimbabwean heritage, Darikwa is eligible to represent the Zimbabwe National side or England.
In October 2013, Darikwa revealed he was keen to play for the Zimbabwe national side 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.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Chesterfield | 2010–11 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | League Two | 36 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 5 | |
| 2013–14 | League Two | 41 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 50 | 5 | |
| 2014–15 | League One | 46 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 56 | 1 | |
| Total | 125 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 150 | 11 | ||
| Barrow (loan) | 2010–11 | Conference Premier | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Hinckley United (loan) | 2011–12 | Conference North | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| Burnley | 2015–16 | Championship | 21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 24 | 1 | |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| Total | 21 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 29 | 1 | |||
| Career total | 152 | 10 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 185 | 12 | ||
Honours
- Football League Two Champions: 2013–14
- Football League Trophy Runner Up : 2013–14
Individual
- Football League Young Player of the Month: December 2012
- Chesterfield Player Of The Year Award 2014–15
- Chesterfield Players Player Of The Season Award 2014–15