Brandon Barker
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Brandon Barker
| image = Brandon Barker.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Barker with Manchester City in 2015
| fullname = Brandon Lee Colin Barker{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/contentassets/399875ceb4a34a7590d82ea228fd09a1/squad-list-publication-report---10.02.2021.pdf |title=EFL – Squad List 2020/21: Oxford United – In Squad Players |publisher=English Football League |page=96 |access-date=26 March 2021}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|4|df=y}}{{cite web |title=Brandon Barker |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/brandon-barker-250014/|publisher=AFS Enterprises |work=11v11.com |access-date=3 October 2017}}
| birth_place = Manchester, England
| height = {{convert|1.75|m|order=flip}}
| position = Winger
| currentclub = Avro
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2004–2015
| youthclubs1 = Manchester City
| years1 = 2015–2019
| clubs1 = Manchester City
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2015
| clubs2 = → Rotherham United (loan)
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2016–2017
| clubs3 = → NAC Breda (loan)
| caps3 = 22
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2017–2018
| clubs4 = → Hibernian (loan)
| caps4 = 27
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2018–2019
| clubs5 = → Preston North End (loan)
| caps5 = 16
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2019–2022
| clubs6 = Rangers
| caps6 = 16
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2021
| clubs7 = → Oxford United (loan)
| caps7 = 19
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2022
| clubs8 = Reading
| caps8 = 4
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2022–2023
| clubs9 = Omonia
| caps9 = 17
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2024
| clubs10 = Morecambe
| caps10 = 2
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2025–
| clubs11 = Avro
| caps11 = 1
| goals11 = 0
| club-update = 00:47, 23 February 2025 (UTC)
| nationalyears1 = 2013–2014
| nationalteam1 = England U18
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2014
| nationalteam2 = England U19
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 3
| nationalyears3 = 2015–2016
| nationalteam3 = England U20
| nationalcaps3 = 8
| nationalgoals3 = 3
| ntupdate =
}}
Brandon Lee Colin Barker (born 4 October 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left sided winger for {{English football updater|Avro}} club Avro.
Barker has previously played for Manchester City, Rotherham United, NAC Breda, Hibernian, Preston North End, Reading and Oxford United and Rangers. He has also represented England at the under-18, under-19 and under-20 international levels.
Club career
=Manchester City=
Barker joined the Manchester City academy at the age of eight. He was the winner of the Academy Players' Player of the Year award in the 2013–14 season and signed his first professional contract with Manchester City in July 2014.{{cite web |title=Brandon Barker player profile |url=https://www.mancity.com/brandon-barker |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318002202/https://www.mancity.com/brandon-barker |archive-date=18 March 2017 |access-date=17 March 2017 |publisher=Manchester City FC}} In the opening months of the 2015–16 season he appeared on the first team bench for a number of times but did not manage to make an appearance.{{cite news|last=Brennan|first=Stuart|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-city-brandon-barker-academy-10426086|title=Manchester City youngster Brandon Barker speaks of his frustration sitting on Blues' bench|date=11 November 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=5 November 2016}}{{cite news|last=Bajkowski|first=Simon|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-brandon-barker-keen-10297446|title=Man City: Brandon Barker keen on game time to keep moving forward|date=22 October 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=5 November 2016}} Barker made his first-team debut for City on 21 February 2016, coming on as a substitute for Bersant Celina in a 5–1 defeat against Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup.{{cite news|last1=McNulty|first1=Phil|title=Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35572091|access-date=22 February 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 February 2016}}
On 6 November 2015, Barker signed for Rotherham United of the Championship on a loan with an initial length of two months.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34745707|title=Brandon Barker: Man City midfielder joins Rotherham on loan|date=6 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 November 2016}} The next day he made his professional debut, playing 90 minutes and scoring in a 5–2 loss to Ipswich.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34685921|title=Rotherham United 2–5 Ipswich Town|date=7 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 November 2016}} On 15 December 2015, Barker was recalled from his loan by Manchester City.{{cite news|last1=Veal|first1=Jonathan|title=Barker's Loan Spell Cut Short|date=15 December 2015|url=https://itsmillerstime.net/2015/12/15/brandon-barkers-loan-spell-at-rotherham-cut-short-by-manchester-city/|work=Millers Time|access-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005090007/https://itsmillerstime.net/2015/12/15/brandon-barkers-loan-spell-at-rotherham-cut-short-by-manchester-city/|archive-date=5 October 2016|url-status=dead}}
In August 2016, Barker was sent to NAC Breda of the Dutch Eerste Divisie on loan for the 2016-17 season.{{cite news|last1= Bajkowski|first1= Simon|title= Barker Moves to NAC Breda On Loan |date= 15 August 2016 |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-brandon-barker-loan-11752734|work= Manchester Evening News|access-date= 20 August 2016}} He made his debut on 19 August, as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Maastricht.{{cite web|url=http://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/2016/08/22/loan-watch-22-august-enes-unal-nets-16-minute-hat-trick/1471866725522|title=Loan Watch: Unal nets hat-trick of Golazos|publisher=Manchester City FC|access-date=21 September 2016|date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825031813/http://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/2016/08/22/loan-watch-22-august-enes-unal-nets-16-minute-hat-trick/1471866725522|archive-date=25 August 2016|url-status=dead}} His first goal came on 21 October, in a 3–1 win over Fortuna Sittard.{{cite news|last=Dirven|first=Johan|url=http://breda.nieuws.nl/sport/193789/ontlading-parel-broodnodige-winst-op-fortuna/|title=Ontlading bij de Parel na broodnodige winst op Fortuna|language=nl|date=21 October 2016|publisher=Nieuws.nl|access-date=30 October 2016|trans-title=Discharge at the Pearl after much needed profit on Fortuna}}
On 17 August 2017, Barker was loaned to Scottish Premiership side Hibernian for the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|title=Hibernian sign Brandon Barker on loan|url=http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/7789|publisher=Hibernian FC|access-date=17 August 2017|date=17 August 2017|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817210225/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/7789|url-status=dead}} Barker said in November that he had been encouraged to move to Scotland by the example of Patrick Roberts, a winger who had moved on loan from Manchester City to Celtic.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41862995 |title=Patrick Roberts' success on loan at Celtic inspired Brandon Barker to join Hibs |publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 November 2017 |access-date=5 November 2017 |first=Brian |last=McLauchlin}} Barker scored his first goal for Hibs in a 2–1 win against Motherwell on 31 January,{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} but then suffered a torn hamstring in his next match.{{cite news |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-winger-brandon-barker-ruled-out-until-april-1-4683530 |title=Hibs winger Brandon Barker ruled out until April |first=Anthony |last=Brown |work=Edinburgh Evening News |publisher=JPI Media |date=5 February 2018 |access-date=22 April 2018}} Towards the end of the season, Barker said he expected to be loaned out again by Manchester City and that he would be interested in returning to Hibs.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44044154 |title=Hearts v Hibernian: Brandon Barker eyes further growth at Easter Road |publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2018 |access-date=14 May 2018}}
Barker joined Preston North End on loan for the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |title=Preston North End Sign Manchester City's Brandon Barker On A Season-Long Loan |url=https://www.pnefc.net/news/2018/august/preston-north-end-sign-manchester-citys-brandon-barker-on-a-season-long-loan/|date=7 August 2018 |publisher=Preston North End|access-date=7 August 2018}} Barker's first goal for Preston North End came in a 3–1 win over Morecambe in the EFL Cup on 14 August 2018.{{cite news |title=Carabao Cup: Preston North End beat Morecambe 3-1 to reach second round |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45092624 |date=14 August 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2018}}
=Rangers=
Barker signed for Rangers in August 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49289808 |title=Brandon Barker: Manchester City winger signs for Rangers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2019 |access-date=9 August 2019}} He scored his first goal for the club in his league debut at Ibrox against Livingston on 14 September 2019, scoring the third goal in a 3–1 victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/rangers/im-at-rangers-to-win-a-starting-spot-says-goal-hero-barker-38500082.html|publisher=Independent News & Media|date=16 September 2019|author=Euan Parsons|title=I'm at Rangers to win a starting spot, says goal hero Barker|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=16 September 2019}} On 31 January 2022, Barker departed Rangers by mutual consent.{{cite web|url=https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/brandon-barker/2eTnshDJccYLgLDYSeqFgU|title=Brandon Barker|website=www.rangers.co.uk|date=31 January 2022}}
==Oxford United (loan)==
Barker joined Oxford United on loan until the end of the season on 1 February 2021.{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=James |date=1 February 2021 |title=Oxford United complete last-minute signing of Brandon Barker |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/19056450.transfer-deadline-day-rangers-brandon-barker-joins-oxford-united-loan/ |access-date=1 February 2021 |website=Oxford Mail |language=en}} He scored three league goals for United during the 2020–21 season; his goal against Crewe on 10 April 2021 was voted the club's Goal of the Season.{{cite news |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/19295659.oxford-uniteds-brandon-barker-fit-league-one-play-offs/ |title=Oxford United's Brandon Barker fit for League One play-offs |first=James |last=Roberts |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=12 May 2021 |access-date=17 May 2021}}
=Reading=
On 15 February 2022, Barker joined EFL Championship side Reading on a short-term deal until the end of the 2021–22 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/february/15/brandon-barker-signs-short-term-royals-deal/ |title=Brandon Barker signs short term Royals Deal |publisher=Reading F.C. |date=15 February 2022 |access-date=15 February 2022}} On 20 May, Reading confirmed that Barker would leave the club upon the expiration of his contract.{{cite web |title=CONTRACTS OFFERED AND ACADEMY TALENT GIVEN DEALS |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/20/contracts-offered-and-academy-talent-given-deals/ |website=readingfc.co.uk |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=20 May 2022 |date=20 May 2022}}
= Omonia =
On 30 June 2022, Barker joined Cypriot club Omonia. Despite scoring in the first game he started for the club in the Europa League qualifiers, after manager Neil Lennon's sacking, Barker failed to impress Omonia's new coach and was dropped from the squad. He was released in August 2023.{{Cite web |title="Τέλος" ο Μπάρκερ από την Ομόνοια {{!}} AlphaNews.Live |url=https://www.alphanews.live/sports/telos-o-mparker-apo-tin-omonoia |access-date=2023-08-30 |website=www.alphanews.live |date=9 August 2023 |language=el}}
=Morecambe=
In January 2024, Barker returned to England, joining League Two club Morecambe on a short-term contract until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2024/january/brandon-barker-is-on-board/|title=Brandon Barker is on board!|website=www.morecambefc.com|date=18 January 2024|accessdate=18 January 2024}}
=Avro=
On 21 February 2025, Barker joined Northern Premier League Division One West club Avro. {{cite web|url=https://www.avrofc.co.uk/avro-announce-a-trio-of-signings/|title=Avro annonuce a trio of signings|website=www.avrofc.co.uk|date=21 February 2025|accessdate=23 February 2025}}
International career
Barker made his international debut for England under-18 in October 2013 and went on to play for his country at under-19 and under-20 levels.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 26 February 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Domestic Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Manchester City
|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|86055|2015|accessdate=21 September 2016}} |colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Rotherham United (loan)
|4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | ||||
| NAC Breda (loan)
|2016–17{{cite web |title=England - B. Barker - Profile with news, career statistics and history |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/brandon-barker/314039/ |work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group}} |22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 2 | |||
| Hibernian (loan)
|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|86055|2017|accessdate=5 October 2017}} |Scottish Premiership |27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 2 | ||
| Preston North End (loan)
|2018–19{{Soccerbase season|86055|2018|accessdate=5 October 2018}} |Championship |16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 2 | ||
| rowspan=4|Rangers
|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|86055|2019|accessdate=29 December 2019}} |6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances and goals in the UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2020–21{{Soccerbase season|86055|2020|accessdate=17 October 2020}}
|Scottish Premiership |10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2021–22{{Soccerbase season|86055|2021|accessdate=8 August 2021}}
|Scottish Premiership |0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 27 | 3 | |
| Oxford United (loan)
|19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance in EFL Trophy and two appearances in the EFL League One play-offs}} | 0 | 22 | 3 | |
| Reading
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||
| Omonia
|17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{Efn|Includes appearance in the Cypriot Super Cup and appearances in the UEFA Europa League|name=SCEL}} | 1 | 25 | 1 | ||
| Morecambe
|2023–24 {{soccerbase season|86055|2023|accessdate=23 February 2025}} |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Avro
|2024–25 {{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/avro/appearances/2024-2025/brandon-barker/454157|title=Avro – Appearances – Brandon Barker – 2024-2025|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk|accessdate=1 March 2025}} |Northern Premier League Division One West |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!129||12|||7||0||8||2||16||1||160||15 |
{{reflist|group=note}}
Honours
Rangers
- Scottish Premiership: 2020–21{{cite news |title=Rangers top-flight champions for first time since 2011 after Celtic drop points |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56306235|work=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2021|access-date=7 March 2021}}
Omonia
Individual
- Manchester City EDS Player of the Year: 2013–14{{cite web |author=Simon Bajkowski |date=21 January 2015 |title=Man City starlet Brandon Barker leading new era of boy Blues |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/man-city-starlet-brandon-barker-8482860 |work=Manchester Evening News |publisher=MEN Media}}
Notes and references
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|brandon-barker/314039}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170318002202/https://www.mancity.com/brandon-barker Brandon Barker] Manchester City EDS
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barker, Brandon}}
Category:Footballers from Manchester
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Manchester City F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Hibernian F.C. players
Category:Preston North End F.C. players
Category:Oxford United F.C. players
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Eerste Divisie players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Cypriot First Division players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands