page_title: Michael Kightly
section_title: Return to Southend
hierarchical_section_title: Michael Kightly / Club career / Return to Southend
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context_page_description: Michael John Kightly is an English former footballer who played as a winger.
  Kightly was rejected as a schoolboy by Tottenham Hotspur but worked his way back to League football with Southend United. He again slipped into the non-League though, before being spotted by Wolverhampton Wanderers while starring for Grays Athletic. He soon became a vital player for Wolves and was pivotal in their promotion to the Premier League in 2009. However injuries disrupted his time in the top flight before the club's relegation after three seasons. He joined Stoke City in August 2012 for an undisclosed fee. Kightly spent the 2012–13 season at Stoke before joining Burnley on loan in August 2013. After helping the Clarets gain promotion to the Premier League he made the move permanent in June 2014.
context_section_description: In July 2017 Kightly rejoined Southend United on a three-year contract. Kightly announced his retirement from football on 12 August 2019.
caption: Kightly playing for Southend United in 2017.
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