Ethan Laird
{{short description|English footballer (born 2001)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ethan Laird
| full_name = Ethan Benjamin Laird{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1238361 |title=Premier League clubs publish retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=7 June 2019 |access-date=27 November 2019}}
| image = Ethan Laird (cropped).png
| caption = Laird with AFC Bournemouth in 2022
| height = {{convert|1.77|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=Ethan Laird Profile, News & Stats |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/23832/Ethan-Laird/overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=27 November 2019 }}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|8|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = Basingstoke, England
| position = Right-back
| currentclub = Birmingham City
| clubnumber = 2
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2019
| youthclubs1 = Manchester United
| years1 = 2019–2023
| clubs1 = Manchester United
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2021
| clubs2 = → Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
| caps2 = 24
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2021–2022
| clubs3 = → Swansea City (loan)
| caps3 = 20
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2022
| clubs4 = → AFC Bournemouth (loan)
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2022–2023
| clubs5 = → Queens Park Rangers (loan)
| caps5 = 32
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2023–
| clubs6 = Birmingham City
| caps6 = 60
| goals6 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam1 = England U17
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam2 = England U18
| nationalcaps2 = 7
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2019
| nationalteam3 = England U19
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| club-update = 16:44, 3 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Ethan Benjamin Laird (born 5 August 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for {{English football updater|BirmingC}} club Birmingham City.
Laird is a graduate of Manchester United's youth system and made his first-team debut for the club in a UEFA Europa League game in November 2019. He spent time on loan at Milton Keynes Dons, Swansea City, AFC Bournemouth and Queens Park Rangers. In the 2021–22 season, he helped Bournemouth gain promotion to the Premier League by finishing as runners-up in the Championship. He spent the 2022–23 season on loan at Queens Park Rangers before joining Birmingham City, who were relegated to League One at the end of his first season.
Laird has played for England at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels. He is also eligible to represent Jamaica at international level.
Club career
=Manchester United=
File:Ethan Laird.jpg in 2017]]
Laird joined Manchester United's youth system at the age of 10.{{cite news |title=Laird agrees new loan move |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ethan-laird-agrees-bournemouth-loan-from-man-utd-in-january-2022-transfer-window |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=6 January 2022 |access-date=31 July 2022}} He made his reserve team debut in a match against Swansea City on 18 March 2018.{{cite news |first=Cliff |last=Butler |title=Under-23s match report: Swansea 2 United 0 |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/u23s-reserves-swansea-city-2-man-utd-0-match-report |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=18 March 2018 |access-date=29 November 2019 }} He signed his first professional contract with the club in October 2018,{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Marshall |title=Laird thrilled with pro contract |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ethan-laird-signs-professional-contract-with-man-united |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=8 October 2018 |access-date=29 November 2019 }} but less than two months later he suffered a long-term injury in a UEFA Youth League match at home to Young Boys,{{cite news |first1=Dan |last1=O'Toole |first2=Tyrone |last2=Marshall |title=Manchester United U19s 6-2 Young Boys U19s highlights and reaction |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester-united-youth-league-highlights-15471379 |work=Manchester Evening News |publisher=MEN Media |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=29 November 2019 }} and made just two more appearances in 2018–19.
Laird graduated to the reserve team for the 2019–20 season, and scored in the team's opening match of their EFL Trophy campaign away to Rotherham United on 6 August 2019;{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Marshall |title=Laird's first step on his 'major comeback' |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ethan-laird-buzzing-after-scoring-united-first-goal-in-efl-trophy |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=29 November 2019 }} however, he suffered another injury in a game against Reading on 16 August and was ruled out for two months.{{cite news |first=Cliff |last=Butler |title=United Under-23s maintain a perfect start |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-premier-league-2-u23s-man-utd-reading-16-august-2019 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=16 August 2019 |access-date=29 November 2019 }} After returning to action, he was included in the 20-man travelling party for the first team's UEFA Europa League match away to Partizan on 24 October,{{cite news |first=Gemma |last=Thompson |title=Revealed: Ole's United squad for Belgrade trip |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-united-confirmed-travelling-squad-for-partizan-belgrade-away |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=23 October 2019 |access-date=29 November 2019 }} but was not named in the 18-man squad for the match. After United qualified for the Europa League knockout phase, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær took a squad mostly made up of youth team players to Kazakhstan for their away game against Astana on 28 November, and named Laird as one of three players to make their senior debuts in the match, along with Di'Shon Bernard and Dylan Levitt;{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Marshall |title=Confirmed: United team to play Astana |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-confirm-team-for-astana-away-clash-in-europa-league |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=28 November 2019 |access-date=29 November 2019 }} the match finished as a 2–1 defeat.{{cite news |first=Gemma |last=Thompson |title=FC Astana 2 Manchester United 1 |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-astana-v-man-united-europa-league-28-november-2019 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=28 November 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019 }}
==Loan to Milton Keynes Dons==
On 8 January 2021, Laird joined League One side Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55589799 |title=Ethan Laird: Milton Keynes Dons sign Manchester United full-back on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2021}}{{cite web |title=Dons land Laird loan |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons FC |date=8 January 2021 |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2021/january/dons-land-laird-loan/ |access-date=March 10, 2021}} He made his professional league debut for the club on 16 January 2021 in a 3–0 defeat away to Peterborough United.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55598502 |title=Peterborough United 3-0 Milton Keynes Dons |website=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2021 |access-date=17 January 2021 }}
==Loan to Swansea City==
On 16 August 2021, Laird joined EFL Championship club Swansea City on loan for the duration of the 2021–22 season, reuniting with former MK Dons manager Russell Martin.{{cite news |title=Laird clinches Championship loan move |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ethan-laird-joins-swansea-city-in-loan-move-2021 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=16 August 2021 |accessdate=16 August 2021 }}{{cite news |title=Ethan Laird joins Swansea City on loan |url=https://www.swanseacity.com/news/ethan-laird-joins-swansea-city-loan |website=swanseacity.com |publisher=Swansea City AFC |date=16 August 2021 |accessdate=16 August 2021 }}
==Loan to AFC Bournemouth==
On 6 January 2022, Laird joined AFC Bournemouth on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season.
==Loan to Queens Park Rangers==
On 15 August 2022, Laird joined Queens Park Rangers on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite news |title=Ethan Laird: Manchester United defender joins QPR on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62548659 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022}} On 30 August 2022, Laird scored his first senior goal with the second in an impressive 3–1 victory over Hull City, converting a cross from opposite full-back Kenneth Paal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62641675|title=Queens Park Rangers 3–1 Hull City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2022|accessdate=1 September 2022}}
=Birmingham City=
Laird signed for another Championship club, Birmingham City, on a three-year contract on 30 June 2023; the fee was undisclosed,{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/ethan-laird-signs-for-blues |title=Ethan Laird signs for Blues! |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=30 June 2023 |access-date=30 June 2023}} but was reported by the Manchester Evening News as £750,000 plus add-ons and a sell-on clause.{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-transfer-fee-laird-27237668 |title=Why Manchester United sold Ethan Laird |first=Samuel |last=Luckhurst |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=1 July 2023 |access-date=22 July 2023}}
International career
Laird is eligible to represent England or Jamaica at international level.{{cite news|url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20220108/man-u-defender-laird-joins-bournemouth-loan |title=Man U defender Laird joins Bournemouth on loan |website=jamaica-gleaner.com |date=8 January 2022 |access-date=31 July 2022}} He has played youth international football for England at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.{{cite web |url=https://www.besoccer.com/player/matches/ethan-laird-426810 |title=E. Laird |website=besoccer.com |access-date=31 July 2022}} He was a member of the under-17 squad that hosted the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44013343 |title=England start U17 European Championship with victory over Israel |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2018 |access-date=2 March 2020}}
Career statistics
{{updated|end of 2024–25 season}}
| 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|FA Cup !colspan=2|EFL Cup !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=3|Manchester United U21
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|123376|2019|accessdate=31 July 2022}} |— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|123376|2020|accessdate=31 July 2022}}
|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |||||
| rowspan=5|Manchester United
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|123376|2021|accessdate=31 July 2022}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
|24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| Swansea City (loan)
|20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 0 | |||
| AFC Bournemouth (loan)
|Championship |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | |||
| Queens Park Rangers (loan)
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|123376|2022|access-date=10 May 2023}} |Championship |32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 33 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Birmingham City
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|123376|2023|access-date=8 May 2024}} |Championship |25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|123376|2024|access-date=3 May 2025}}
|League One |35 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 48 | 5 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!61||4||5||1||2||0||colspan="2"|—||6||0||73||5 | ||||||||||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!142||5||7||1||3||0||2||0||10||1||164||7 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
AFC Bournemouth
- EFL Championship second-place promotion: 2021–22{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60342935|title=AFC Bournemouth 1–0 Nottingham Forest|website=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2022 |access-date=6 June 2022}}
Birmingham City
- EFL League One: 2024–25{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj3xr53g0z5o |title=Birmingham win League One title after Wrexham draw |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 April 2025 |access-date=14 April 2025}}
{{cite book |url=https://images.gc.eflservices.co.uk/13ec1e50-15e9-11f0-a2eb-91a1ddc0c472.pdf |title=Handbook: 2024/25 EFL Regulations |chapter=Section Six: EFL Regulations |at=38.2 p. 301 |publisher=English Football League |date=2024 |access-date=14 April 2025 |quote=To be eligible to receive a Championship, League One or Two winners medal, a player must have been named on the team sheet in at least 25% of the Club's league fixtures in that season.}}
{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/birmingham-city-fc/669/squad/ |title=Birmingham City FC: Squad: Statistics: 2024/2025 |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=14 April 2025}} - EFL Trophy runner-up: 2024–25{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/birmingham-city-vs-peterborough-united/report/528824 |title=Birmingham City 0–2 Peterborough United: Harley Mills scores stunning free-kick as Posh become first team ever to retain Vertu Trophy |first=Dan |last=Long |publisher=Sky Sports |date=13 April 2025 |access-date=14 April 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.bcfc.com/teams/mens-team/player/ethan-laird Profile] at the Birmingham City F.C. website
- {{Soccerway}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{Birmingham City F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laird, Ethan}}
Category:Footballers from Basingstoke
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Manchester United F.C. players
Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:AFC Bournemouth players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:English people of Jamaican descent