Braiden Graham

Braiden Graham
Personal information
Date of birth (2007-11-07) 7 November 2007 (age 17)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Everton
Youth career
–2023 Linfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2024 Linfield 10 (1)
2024– Everton 0 (0)
International career‡
2023 Northern Ireland U16 1 (1)
2023–2024 Northern Ireland U17 5 (3)
2024– Northern Ireland U18 1 (1)
2024– Northern Ireland U19 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:27, 24 June 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 08:38, 18 September 2024 (UTC)

Braiden Graham (born 7 November 2007) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as forward for Premier League side Everton. He is a Northern Ireland youth international.

Club career

Linfield

From Darragh Cross,[1] at the age of 15 years-old Graham was the leading scorer for the Linfield U18 side.[2]

On 24 March 2023, Graham made his NIFL Premiership league debut for Linfield appearing as substitute in a 5-0 win against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.[3] At 15 years and 137 days, he became the youngest player in Linfield history by 19 days, breaking the previous record set by Charlie Allen in 2019.[4][5] He scored his first senior goal in December 2023 aged 16 years-old. Linfield were 2-1 down in injury time against Larne in the Northern Ireland Football League Cup when Graham scored to equalise. In the subsequent penalty shoot-out Graham also scored as his side triumphed.[6]

Everton

Reports in Northern Ireland suggest that Graham has agreed to join Premier League side Everton in 2024.[7] On 2 July 2024 Graham signed a scholar contract with Everton to play in their Academy side.[8] In November 2024, he signed his first professional contract, agreeing a three-year deal.[9]

International career

In March 2023, Graham was called up to the Northern Ireland U16 squad.[10] Later that year he was also called up to the Northern Ireland U17 side.[11] In May 2024, he made his debut for the under–18 side, scoring a 4–2 defeat to England U18.[12] The following month, he made his debut for the under–19 side, scoring a 2–2 draw with Slovakia U19.[13]

Style of play

The Northern Ireland record goalscorer David Healy was the manager at Linfield when Graham made his league debut, and Healey praised Graham for his scoring ability, being quoted by BBC Sport as saying “he's 'goals, goals, goals', he prowls in and around and he's a deadly finisher.”[14]

References

  1. ^ Looney, Stephen (25 November 2023). "Everton beat rivals and win race to snap up Linfield prodigy Braiden Graham". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  2. ^ Galvan, Calum (15 June 2023). "Five young Irish League stars who could follow in Sean Moore's footsteps". Irish News.
  3. ^ Rutherford, Adrian (25 March 2023). "Linfield put in a five-star showing to crush Dungannon Swifts as Braiden Graham makes history". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  4. ^ Morton, Jonny (26 March 2023). "David Healy believes the "future is bright" at Linfield for history-maker Braiden Graham". The Newsletter. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  5. ^ Crawford, Steven (25 March 2023). "Charlie Allen happy to give up his record as Braiden Graham makes history". Belfast Live. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  6. ^ Beacom, Stephen (6 December 2023). "NI's greatest ever goalscorer hails 16 year-old Linfield ace Braiden Graham as a ruthless finisher". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  7. ^ Fullerton, Gareth (6 December 2023). "Braiden Graham, remember the name: David Healy hails Linfield's teen hero". Belfast Live. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Meet the 2024/25 academy scholars". Everton F.C. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  9. ^ Bailie, Kieth (8 November 2024). "Linfield youth product signs professional deal with Everton: 'I've worked for this since I was a kid'". Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  10. ^ Rutherford, Adrian (26 March 2023). "David Healy: Linfield's record-breaking striker Braiden Graham is already a natural goalscorer". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  11. ^ Morton, Johnny (19 October 2023). "Nine young stars from Irish League clubs included in Northern Ireland U17 squad for 2024 European Championship qualifiers". The Newsletter. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Northern Ireland U18s perform well against England". Irish Football Association. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Northern Ireland U19s draw with Slovakia". Irish Football Association. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Braiden Graham: 'Goals, goals, goals' - Fifteen-year-old Linfield striker has 'big future'". BBC Sport. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.