Tariq Ahmed Issa (born 2 September 1997) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Kings Park Rangers.
Issa joined Colchester United's Academy at the age of 12 from Trinity Football Club based in Southend-on-Sea. He made his professional debut for the club in 2016. In August 2018, he joined Needham Market on loan. He also had a loan spell at Maldon & Tiptree in 2019. He was released by Colchester in July 2020. Issa rejoined Needham on a permanent basis in 2021.
Issa joined the Colchester United Academy at the age of 12 from Trinity Football Club in Southend-on-Sea. He broke into Colchester's under-18 side while still an under-16 player,[4] and was the first Colchester Academy player to come through the educational system associated with Thurstable School in Tiptree.[5] He and teammate Cameron James signed four-year contracts with the club in July 2015,[6] before agreeing a new four-year deal in July 2016.[7]
Issa made his first-team debut in the EFL Trophy on 4 October 2016, replacing Dion Sembie-Ferris at half-time in Colchester's 2–1 defeat to Southampton U23.[8] He made his English Football League debut on 19 August 2017 as a substitute for Drey Wright in Colchester's 3–0 defeat against Luton Town.[9]
On 30 August 2018, Issa signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market on loan until January 2019.[10][11] He made his debut on 1 September as a half-time substitute in Needham's 3–0 defeat at Alvechurch.[12]
In August and September 2019, Issa made seven appearances on loan for Isthmian League North Division side Maldon & Tiptree.[13] However, in October 2019 it was reported he had suffered a knee injury that would require surgery.[14]
Issa was one of 16 players to be released by Colchester United in summer 2020.[15]
In July 2021, Issa signed for Needham Market on a permanent basis.[16]
In October 2021, Issa signed for Coggeshall Town.[17]
In January 2023, following a spell at Stanway Pegasus,[18] Issa signed for Hullbridge Sports.[19]
Issa rejoined Stanway Pegasus for the 2023–24 season,[20] before signing for Essex and Suffolk Border Football League Division One side Kings Park Rangers in December 2023.[21]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Colchester United | 2016–17[22] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017–18[23] | League Two | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2018–19[24] | League Two | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20[25] | League Two | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Needham Market (loan) | 2018–19[26] | SL Premier Division Central | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | – | 3[b][c][d] | 0 | 18 | 3 | |
| Maldon & Tiptree (loan) | 2019–20[13] | Isthmian League North Division | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | 1[e] | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Career total | 19 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 29 | 3 | ||
