Many Premier League supporters won’t be aware with Reece Wabara because the 26-year-old former Manchester City youth academy prodigy quit the game in 2017. When he made the decision to give up the beautiful game more than six years ago, he has been successful as a businessman.
Wabara played just one competitive match for Man City’s senior side after failing to make a big impression on the English game. He was substituted in to replace Pablo Zabaleta during a match against Bolton Wanderers.
His stints on loan at Ipswich Town, Oldham Athletic, Blackpool, and Doncaster Rovers in the lower levels proved insufficient to get him into Man City’s plans. Following their 2008 ownership change, the club experienced a surge in popularity, which limited the opportunities for players coming up through the youth levels.
The defender’s contract at the Etihad was ended in 2014 because there was no room for him in the squad due to the arrival of big-name players who were paying huge sums of money. Wabara really launched his new business in the fashion industry prior to leaving the club.
Even though Wabara was still playing football in 2013 and had a contract with Man City, he made the decision to pursue new endeavors in addition to his playing career. In retrospect, this choice was brilliant.
Wabara followed Lewis Morgan’s advise to enter the business sector; the two men attended the same school. Morgan is one of the co-founders of the well-known leisure company Gym Shark worldwide. In 2013, the former defender made the decision to venture into the fashion industry by investing £15,000 in a clothing company named Maniere De Voir.
When Wabara spoke to The Times in 2021 about his choice to give up football in order to work on other initiatives, he offered credit to his friend from school.
Where can I maximize my ability to be great? I kept questioning myself. I’ve always dressed differently, and Lewis Morgan, a Gymshark co-founder, told me I could pursue a career in fashion.
It was a decision he is unlikely to regret because, over ten years later, Wabara’s business currently generates little less than £35 million (£34.7 million) annually. This sum of money is astounding. Even though football is one of the most financially rewarding careers in the world, the former England Under-20 international never seemed destined to be earning the staggering amounts of money he does in his new field.
Boxing legend Anthony Joshua and Chelsea player Raheem Sterling have both worn some of Wabara and company’s apparel. This demonstrates the validity of the company he founded, which is rather admirable. With the brand’s first location now open on Oxford Street in London, exciting times are yet ahead for all parties.
Rather than circling the English football tiers in a desperate attempt to get back into the Premier League, this man chose to take a risk and give up on a dream that most young men have. It has been shown that he was quite correct to take that risk.
The football career of Wabara
From gifted child to 26-year-old retiree
Wabara started his football career with Walsall before switching to the blue side of Manchester in 2007, despite coming through the youth ranks of Manchester City. When the young player signed a loan with Ipswich Town in 2011, it was the first of his four loan stints. Clubs were able to witness the talented right-back in six outings for a senior team.
With the goal of bringing the player to League One, Oldham Athletic signed him on a loan that would expire in January 2013. Wabara’s last match for the team was an FA Cup victory over Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, 3-2. Before City ended his contract and let him move on to fresh pastures, he made more brief moves to Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers.
“I knew my football days at City were coming to an end and my dad always taught me I needed a second option to ensure you’re relevant and financially stable,” Wabara said, recalling this period of his life in a frank and open manner, as reported by The Sun.
“I started a collection and formed MDV around the end of 2013. Tracksuits, T-shirts, and hoodies were the first things I made.”It took off when I put them on the football players I knew,” he went on. After leaving City, Wabara signed a permanent deal with Doncaster, which turned out to be the most reliable and successful period of his playing career. Wabara played 65 games for the team overall, including the previously mentioned loan period.
Wabara’s short-term contracts at Barnsley, Wigan, and Bolton failed to persuade him to stick with the beautiful game even after this fleeting comeback in football. He formally retired in 2017 and started devoting all of his attention to his company.
The 32-year-old continued, acknowledging that it was not an easy decision to make: “My football wasn’t progressing in the way I intended it to.” Because focus is crucial, I had to decide between the two because the firm was growing at an alarming rate.”
The net worth of Reece Wabara
On the rich list, the former Manchester City defender is ranked higher than a current Man United forward.
Wabara’s earnings were always going to benefit from Maniere De Voir’s sharp increase to just under £35 million annually, given that the company only made £1 million in its first year of operation. Again according to The Sun, Wabara was included in the Sunday Times Young Rich list for 2022. His estimated personal worth at the time was higher than that of England international Marcus Rashford, at roughly £26 million.
Wabara’s net worth was estimated by The Times to be £88 million in 2023. From being a journeyman defender in the English football second and third divisions, this is an incredible turnaround in circumstances. The youthful businessman doesn’t seem to be close to finishing building this empire.
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