Sam Vokes

 ( 1989 Births ) 

Vokes remained at Bournemouth during the 2007–08 season, despite being linked to several other clubs, including Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton and Celtic. He also turned down Crewe Alexandra in January 2008 who had made a £200,000 bid. Vokes was a bright spark in an otherwise tumultuous season for the Cherries as they were embroiled in a club ownership saga. His 12-goal tally could not prevent Bournemouth from being relegated to League Two.

To gain playing time, Vokes moved to League One side Leeds United in October 2009 on loan until the New Year, making his Leeds debut in a 2–1 victory over Norwich City on 19 October. He scored once for the club against Bristol Rovers but competition between Leeds strikers meant Vokes returned to Wolves when the deal ended.

Vokes went out on loan once more in August 2010 when he moved to Championship side Bristol City. He endured a miserable stay, tearing his hamstring within minutes of making his debut in a match against Millwall and re-aggravating the injury in a reserve match in December. He returned to Wolves when his loan expired in January having played just 13 minutes of first team football.

Once again fit, he moved on a month-long loan to another Championship side, Sheffield United, in February 2011 and made his début the same evening in a 1–1 draw with Reading. With their other attacking options regaining fitness, the Blades elected not to extend Vokes' loan period, meaning he was instead signed up by promotion-chasing Norwich City on 23 March on an emergency loan for the rest of the season. However, an injury to Wolves' leading goalscorer Kevin Doyle saw the club recall him after just four appearances for the Canaries, during which he scored once. Back at Molineux Stadium, he made two substitute appearances for the team during the run-in as they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day despite losing 3–2 against Blackburn Rovers.

During the 2011–12 season, he made four Premier League appearances for Wolves, but did not start a league match. In November 2011 he once more went out on loan to a Championship side, this time joining Burnley until 15 January. He played nine times for Burnley, scoring twice and impressed manager Eddie Howe.

On 30 January 2012, Vokes joined Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season. He scored on his full home debut in a 2–2 draw with Millwall on 14 February 2012. He scored three goals in total during his 14 appearances for the Seagulls.

On the eve of the 2013–14 Championship season, Burnley agreed a deal with Queens Park Rangers for the transfer of Charlie Austin, who had attracted much attention from Premier League teams throughout the summer. With Austin moving out of the club, this gave Vokes his long-awaited chance in the starting eleven, and he formed a striking partnership with Danny Ings and he finished the season with 21 goals in 44 matches helping the Clarets finished 2nd, gaining promotion to the Premier League. He missed the run in after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament which kept him out until December 2014. He marked his return from injury with a goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. Vokes played 15 league matches in 2014–15 as Burnley suffered relegation back to the Championship.

On 8 August 2015, on the opening day of the 2015–16 Championship season, Vokes scored his first league goal since returning from a knee injury for Burnley against former club Leeds United in a 1–1 draw. Vokes signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Burnley in January 2016. He scored 16 goals in 46 appearances as Burnley returned to the Premier League as Championship title winners.

Vokes scored his first Premier League goal on 20 August 2016 at Turf Moor in a 2–0 win against Liverpool. Vokes scored 12 goals in 36 games in 2016–17 helping the team avoid relegation, finishing in 16th. Vokes scored twice in a 3–2 win away at champions Chelsea on the opening day of the 2017–18 season. He made 32 appearances as Burnley had a successful campaign finishing in 7th, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. In the 2018–19 season, Vokes scored the club's first European goal in over half a century from close range for an equaliser away to Aberdeen. Burnley went out to Greek side Olympiacos in the play-off round. In October 2018 Vokes signed new contract at Turf Moor keeping him contract until 2021. However, in January 2019 manager Sean Dyche said he would allow Vokes to leave in the club in the January transfer window.