Alex Murphy (footballer)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Alex Murphy

| fullname =

| birth_place = Galway, Ireland

| height =

| image =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|6|25|df=y}}

| position = Centre back, left-back

| currentclub = Bolton Wanderers
(On loan from Newcastle United)

| clubnumber = 3

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2019

| youthclubs1 = Corrib Celtic

| youthyears2 = 2019–2021

| youthclubs2 = Galway United

| years1 = 2021–2022

| clubs1 = Galway United

| caps1 = 31

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 2022–

| clubs2 = Newcastle United

| caps2 = 2

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2025–

| clubs3 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan)

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 1

| nationalyears1 = 2021

| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U18

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2021–2023

| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U19

| nationalcaps2 = 9

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2024–

| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U21

| nationalcaps3 = 6

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| club-update = 23:37, 13 March 2025 (UTC)

| ntupdate = 22:39, 24 March 2025 (UTC)

}}

Alex Murphy (born 25 June 2004) is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Newcastle United. He is a youth international footballer for the Republic of Ireland. Primarily a centre-back, he can also play as a left-back.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alex-murphy/721779/|title=Alex Murphy|accessdate=22 July 2023|website=Soccerway}}

Career

= Youth career and breakout season =

From Annaghdown, his dad was a coach at his local club, Corrib Celtic, where Murphy would play until joining Galway United in 2019, debuting at U15 level. Murphy made his senior debut for Galway United in 2020, against Athlone Town at 16 years-old, as a left back.

= Newcastle United =

Murphy joined Newcastle United from Galway United in July 2022.{{cite web |last=Oluwole |first=Bankole |date=15 July 2022 |title=Howay the lad: Galway teenager Alex Murphy makes dream move to Newcastle United |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/07/15/howay-the-lad-galway-teenager-alex-murphy-makes-dream-move-to-newcastle-united/ |accessdate=22 July 2023 |website=Irish Times}}{{cite web |last=Doggett |first=Eamon |date=28 May 2022 |title=Alex Murphy Newcastle United: Signing's personal life and bursting Galway career start |url=https://www.galwaybeo.ie/sport/soccer/alex-murphy-newcastle-united-signings-7139482.amp |accessdate=22 July 2023 |website=Galwaybeo.ie}}{{cite web |last=McDonnell |first=Daniel |date=13 April 2022 |title=Summer move to Newcastle on cards for 17-year-old Galway defender Alex Murphy |url=https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/summer-move-to-newcastle-on-cards-for-17-year-old-galway-defender-alex-murphy/41551261.html |accessdate=22 July 2023 |website=Independent.ie}}

During the 2022–23 season, Murphy trained with the Newcastle first-team squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-united-youngster-called-up-to-first-team-training-as-eddie-howe-admits-magpies-outcast-is-very-unlucky-4105490|website=Shields Gazette|accessdate=22 July 2023|title= Newcastle United youngster called up to first-team training as Eddie Howe admits Magpies outcast is 'very unlucky'|first=Molly|last=Burke|date=15 March 2023}} He featured in first-team friendly matches, playing in a 5–0 win over Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal SFC in Riyadh in December 2022.{{cite web|website=Independent.ie|accessdate=22 July 2023|url=https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/irish-teen-alex-makes-most-of-newcastle-debut-as-howe-says-toon-kids-have-a-bright-future/42207424.html|date=9 December 2022|title=Irish teen Alex makes most of Newcastle debut as Howe says Toon kids have a bright future|first=Aidan|last=Fitzmaurice}} He also captained the Newcastle under-21 team, and played at both left-back and centre-back.{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-alex-murphy-loan-lascelles-27071203.amp|website=Chronicle Live|accessdate=22 July 2023|title= Newcastle defender who has taken 'tips' from 'top' team-mates hints at potential loan exit|first=Chris|last=Knight|date=7 June 2023}}

After impressing during the 2023–24 pre-season, Murphy made his first senior start in a 2–0 victory over ACF Fiorentina, keeping a clean sheet and playing the full 90 minutes.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-05 |title=Newcastle United 2 ACF Fiorentina 0 |url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2023-24/newcastle-united-v-acf-fiorentina/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Newcastle United Football Club |language=en}} He made his league debut for Newcastle on 25 November 2023, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 4-1 win in the Premier League against Chelsea.{{cite web|website=Soccerway|date=25 November 2023|title=Newcastle vs. Chelsea 4-1|accessdate=25 November 2023|url= https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/25/england/premier-league/newcastle-united-football-club/chelsea-football-club/4082142/}} In May 2024 Murphy signed a new long term contract with Newcastle. On 20 January 2025, he signed for Bolton Wanderers on loan for the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/murphys-man|website= bwfc.co.uk|accessdate=20 January 2025|title= Murphy's The Man|date=20 January 2025}}

International career

Murphy played as a youth international footballer for the Republic of Ireland, and has captained age-group teams.{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alex-murphy-newcastle-transfer-howe-25079399.amp|website=Chronicle Live|title=Meet Newcastle's first summer signing after 'mad' whirlwind transfer which 'came out of nowhere'|first=Chris|last=Knight|accessdate=22 July 2023}}{{cite web|first=Lee|last=Ryder|date=23 May 2022|title=Newcastle United confirm purchase of teenage defender Alex Murphy|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-alex-murphy-galway-24087208.amp|website=Chronicle Live|accessdate=22 July 2023}} On 31 August 2023, Murphy received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for their 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification fixtures against Turkey U21 and San Marino U21 on 8 and 12 September 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/crawford-names-u21-squad-for-euro-qualifiers-in-cork|title=Crawford names U21 squad for EURO qualifiers in Cork | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}} He made his debut for the U21 side on 7 June 2024, in a 3–2 win away to Croatia U21 in a friendly.https://www.fai.ie/latest/report-u21-croatia-u21-2-3-ireland-u21/{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/its-what-you-dream-of-when-youre-younger-alex-murphy-targets-starting-role-at-newcastle/a2141165729.html|title='It's what you dream of when you're younger' – Alex Murphy targets starting role at Newcastle|date=June 9, 2024|website=Irish Independent}}

Style of play

Murphy is said to be comfortable in possession at centre back, with recovery speed.{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-best-young-talent-27291189.amp|website=Chronicle Live|accessdate=22 July 2023|title= The best talent coming through at Newcastle United as young stars try to catch the eye|date=10 July 2023|first=Chris|last=Knight|first2=Ed|last2=Syers}} He is able to play as a left back, as well as both right and left centre back.