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Jamie Walker (footballer)

{{short description|Scottish footballer}}

{{Use British English|date=December 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jamie Walker

| image = Jamie Walker 2012 (cropped).JPG

| image_size = 200

| fullname = Jamie Walker

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1993|06|25}}

| birth_place = Edinburgh, Scotland

| height =

| position = Winger

| currentclub = Bradford City

| clubnumber = 7

| youthyears1 = 2003–2011

| youthclubs1 = Heart of Midlothian

| years1 = 2011–2018

| clubs1 = Heart of Midlothian

| caps1 = 154

| goals1 = 37

| years2 = 2011–2012

| clubs2 = → Raith Rovers (loan)

| caps2 = 23

| goals2 = 3

| years3 = 2018–2019

| clubs3 = Wigan Athletic

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2018

| clubs4 = → Peterborough United (loan)

| caps4 = 12

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2019–2022

| clubs5 = Heart of Midlothian

| caps5 = 40

| goals5 = 11

| years6 = 2022

| clubs6 = → Bradford City (loan)

| caps6 = 19

| goals6 = 4

| years7 = 2022–

| clubs7 = Bradford City

| caps7 = 62

| goals7 = 13

| nationalyears1 = 2008

| nationalteam1 = Scotland U15

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2008–2010

| nationalteam2 = Scotland U16

| nationalcaps2 = 6

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| nationalyears3 = 2009–2010

| nationalteam3 = Scotland U17

| nationalcaps3 = 8

| nationalgoals3 = 3

| nationalyears4 = 2010

| nationalteam4 = Scotland U19

| nationalcaps4 = 1

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| nationalyears5 = 2013

| nationalteam5 = Scotland U21

| nationalcaps5 = 2

| nationalgoals5 = 1

| club-update = 01:17, 12 October 2024 (UTC)

}}

Jamie Walker (born 25 June 1993) is a Scottish footballer who plays for {{English football updater|BradforC}} club Bradford City as an attacking midfielder or winger. He has previously played for Hearts, Raith Rovers and Wigan Athletic and represented Scotland at every youth international level.

Early life

Walker grew up in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh and attended Forrester High School. His great uncle was Tommy Walker, the former Hearts player and manager and Scottish international inside forward.{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/latest-hearts-news/jamie-walker-aiming-make-impact-hearts-1591851 |title=Jamie Walker aiming to make an impact at Hearts |work=The Scotsman |date=February 2013 |access-date=6 February 2021}}

Club career

=Heart of Midlothian=

A member of Hearts under-19 squad,{{cite web|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/page/Squad/DevelopmentTeamDetail/0,,10289,00.html |title=Hearts under 19 Squad 2011–12 |publisher=Heart of Midlothian F.C. |access-date=21 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901234010/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/page/Squad/DevelopmentTeamDetail/0%2C%2C10289%2C00.html |archive-date= 1 September 2011 }} Walker's performances in the early part of the 2011–12 season earned him a new three-year contract extending his stay with the club until 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20111118/hat-trick-of-new-deals_2241384_2520400 |title=Hat-trick of new deals |publisher=Heart of Midlothian F.C. |date=18 November 2011 |access-date=18 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120053436/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20111118/hat-trick-of-new-deals_2241384_2520400 |archive-date=20 November 2011 }}

With Hearts in financial difficulty and wanting to bring through members of their under-19 squad into the first team,{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/other-sport/hearts_faces_of_tomorrow_1_1978536 | title=Hearts' faces of tomorrow | work=The Scotsman | date=22 November 2011 | access-date=30 November 2011}}{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/other-sport/hearts_start_fast_tracking_youth_players_to_first_team_1_1977338 | title=Hearts start fast-tracking youth players to first team | work=Edinburgh Evening News | date=21 November 2011 | access-date=21 November 2011}} Walker was sent on loan to Raith Rovers in November 2011 to gain first team experience.{{cite web|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20111121/trio-off-on-loan_2241384_2523171 |title=Trio off on loan |access-date=21 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101212143/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20111121/trio-off-on-loan_2241384_2523171 |archive-date= 1 November 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.raithroversfc.com/cgi-bin/latestnews.cgi?id=3918 |title=Loan Signings Confirmed |publisher=Raith Rovers FC |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=24 November 2011 }} {{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He made his debut for Raith on 26 November 2011, in their 3–2 win against Hamilton.{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/football/first/results/3408200/ |title=Raith Rovers 3 – 2 Hamilton Academical |publisher=SFL |date=26 November 2011 |access-date=26 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525131654/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/football/first/results/3408200/ |archive-date=25 May 2012 }} Walker only trained one day a week with Raith, with the rest being spent with Hearts due to their use of astroturf causing greater risk of injury.{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/other-sport/3_of_hearts_is_raith_s_trump_card_1_1988311 | title=3 of Hearts is Raith's trump card | work=The Scotsman | date=29 November 2011 | access-date=30 November 2011}} On 4 January 2012 his loan deal was extended for another month.{{cite web|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20120104/duo-extend-loans_2241384_2566148 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803060127/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20120104/duo-extend-loans_2241384_2566148 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2012 |title=Duo extend loans |publisher=Heart of Midlothian FC |date=4 January 2012 |access-date=4 January 2012 }} After a brief period back at Hearts, he returned to Raith on 31 January 2012 for the rest of the 2011/12 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20120131/rob-wrexham-bound_2241384_2595170 |title=Rob Wrexham-bound |publisher=Heart of Midlothian FC |date=31 January 2012 |access-date=31 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203025045/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20120131/rob-wrexham-bound_2241384_2595170 |archive-date= 3 February 2012 }} He scored his first goal for Raith on 11 February, in a 2–2 draw with Ross County.{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/sport/football/raith_rovers_1_1_ross_county_new_boy_jamie_walker_rallies_raith_1_2112874 | title=New boy Jamie Walker rallies Raith | work=The Scotsman | date=12 February 2012 | access-date=12 February 2012}}

Walker made his first team debut for Hearts on 18 August 2012, appearing as a substitute in the 2–2 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Tynecastle. Walker capped off his debut season with an individual goal against St Mirren in May 2013. He was awarded Hearts' Overall "Young Player of the Year" for season 2012/13.

Season 2013–14 started well for Walker, helping his side to a 1–0 victory over city rivals Hibernian.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23565318 |title=Hearts 1–0 Hibs |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2013 |access-date=11 August 2013}} The following week Walker scored an equaliser against Partick Thistle away from home. He scored again against Aberdeen which helped his team to a 2–1 win. This win took the club to −8pts after starting with −15pts due to the club entering administration. Hearts were eventually relegated, but Walker helped them regain top division status by winning the 2014–15 Scottish Championship.

Early in the 2016/17 season, Walker was given a two-match suspension after he was found guilty of diving to win a penalty kick against Celtic.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37049332 |title=Jamie Walker: Hearts winger given two-match ban for diving |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2016 |access-date=11 August 2016}} The captain of Celtic, Scott Brown, called Walker a "cheat" after the match.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37005041 |title=Hearts 1-2 Celtic: Jamie Walker a 'cheat', says Celtic's Scott Brown |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2016 |access-date=11 August 2016}} Walker scored twice in a 4–1 win against Rangers on 1 February 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38740392 |title=Heart of Midlothian 4–1 Rangers |first=Richard |last=Wilson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2017 |access-date=2 February 2017}}

Walker was subject to transfer speculation for most of 2017, with his contract due to expire at the end of the 2017/18.

=Wigan Athletic=

Walker moved to Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed transfer fee in January 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.wiganathletic.com/news/2018/january/jamie-walker-signs-for-wigan-athletic |title=Jamie Walker Signs For Wigan Athletic |publisher=Wigan Athletic FC |date=8 January 2018 |access-date=8 January 2018}}

In August 2018 he joined Peterborough United on loan.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45374641|title=Jamie Walker: Peterborough United sign Wigan's former Hearts midfielder on loan|publisher=BBC|date=31 August 2018|access-date=10 September 2018}} He scored his first goal for Peterborough in an EFL Trophy tie against MK Dons on 4 September 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/posh/on-the-whistle-report-mk-dons-3-peterborough-united-3-posh-stage-a-fantastic-fight-back-before-losing-a-shootout-1-8622088|title=ON-THE-WHISTLE-REPORT: MK DONS 3, PETERBOROUGH UNITED 3 |publisher=peterboroughtoday.co.uk|date=4 September 2018|access-date=10 September 2018}} Walker was however recalled by Wigan on 2 January 2019 having made 18 appearances for Peterborough.{{cite web|url=https://www.wiganathletic.com/news/2019/january/jamie-walker-recalled-from-loan-spell-at-peterborough-united/|title= Jamie Walker Recalled From Loan Spell at Peterborough United|publisher= Wigan Athletic|date= 2 January 2019|access-date= 2 January 2019}}

=Heart of Midlothian=

Walker rejoined Hearts on 28 June 2019 on a three-year deal.{{cite web |title=Jamie Walker: Hearts sign attacker from Wigan Athletic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48751378 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=28 June 2019 |date=28 June 2019}} In August 2019, he broke his leg in a league cup match against Motherwell,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49387952|title=Hearts: Jamie Walker out until December with leg break|date=18 August 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} returning to first team training on 28 October 2019.{{Cite web |last=Cooney |first=Darren |date=29 October 2019 |title=Craig Levein gives injury update on Jamie Walker as Hearts emerge from rock bottom |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-levein-gives-injury-update-20747862 |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=Daily Record }}

On 11 January 2022, Walker moved on loan to Bradford City, citing his wish for more playing time,{{Cite web |title=@jamiewalker7 Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/ |access-date=2022-01-11 |via=Instagram}} after only making 7 appearances for Hearts in the 2021–22 season in all competitions.{{Cite news |title=Bradford sign Hearts winger Walker |date=11 January 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59959262 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

=Bradford City=

On 8 May 2022, Walker agreed a two-year permanent deal with Bradford City to begin upon the expiration of his Hearts contract on 30 June 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/may/walker-agrees-permanent-contract/|title=WALKER AGREES PERMANENT CONTRACT|website=bradfordcityafc.com|date=8 May 2022|accessdate=9 May 2022}} At the end of the 2023–24 season, he was offered a new contract by Bradford City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2024/may/retained-list-202324/|title=RETAINED LIST: 2023/24|website=bradfordcityfc.co.uk}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

International career

Walker has represented Scotland at U15, U16, U17, U19 and U21 level.{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=823&playerID=67678&CFID=2439933&CFTOKEN=13026160 | title=Jamie Walker SFA Profile | publisher=Scottish Football Association | access-date=21 November 2011}} Walker made his debut for the Scotland U21s against Luxembourg in a 3–0 win on 25 March 2013. In the game, he also scored his debut goal to make the score 1–0 with a volley from the edge of the box.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/scotland-u21s-3-luxembourg-u21s-1785670 | title=Scotland u21s 3–0 Luxembourg u21s | date=26 March 2013 | publisher=The Daily Record | access-date=26 March 2013}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 22 December 2023|}}

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 | National Cup

! colspan=2 | League Cup

! colspan=2 | Other

! colspan=2 | Total

DivisionApps

! Goals

! Apps

! Goals

! Apps

! Goals

! Apps

! Goals

! Apps

! Goals

rowspan=8 | Heart of Midlothian

|2011–12{{Cite web |title=Jamie Walker – Hearts Career – from 18 Jul 2012 to 26 Dec 2021 |url=https://www.londonhearts.com/scores/newplayers/h01867.html |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=londonhearts.com}}

|Scottish Premier League

|0

000000000
2012–13

|Scottish Premier League

|24

2102000272
2013–14

|Scottish Premiership

|26

31030colspan="2" |—303
2014–15

|Scottish Championship

|32

111020003511
2015–16

|Scottish Premiership

|22

72030colspan="2" |—277
2016–17

|Scottish Premiership

|34

1242114{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}04315
2017–18

|Scottish Premiership

|16

20030colspan="2" |—192
colspan=2|Total

!154

37921414018140
Raith Rovers (loan)

|2011–12{{Cite web |title=Jamie Walker {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Season 2011/2012 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=63586&season_id=141 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=soccerbase.com}}{{Cite web |date=7 January 2012 |title=Raith Rovers vs. Greenock Morton |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/01/07/scotland/scottish-cup/raith-rovers-fc/greenock-morton-fc/1228188/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Soccerway}}

|Scottish First Division

|23

3100000243
rowspan="3" |Wigan Athletic

|2017–18{{Cite web |title=Jamie Walker {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Season 2017/2018 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=63586&season_id=150 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=soccerbase.com}}

|EFL League One

|8

000000080
2018–19{{Cite web |title=Jamie Walker {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Season 2018/2019 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=63586&season_id=151 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=soccerbase.com}}

|EFL Championship

|0

|0

|0

|0

|1

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|1

|0

colspan="2" |Total

!8

!0

!0

!0

!1

!0

!0

!0

!9

!0

Peterborough United (loan)

|2018–19

|EFL League One

|12

110004{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}1172
rowspan="4" |Heart of Midlothian

|2019–20

|Scottish Premiership

|15

35051colspan="2" |—254
2020–21

|Scottish Championship

|21

71041colspan="2" |—268
2021–22

|Scottish Premiership

|4

10041colspan="2" |—82
colspan="2" |Total

!40

1160133colspan="2" |—5914
rowspan="4" |Bradford City

|2021–22{{efn|This season was spent on loan from Heart of Midlothian}}{{Cite web |title=Jamie Walker {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Bradford City {{!}} Season 2021/2022 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=63586&season_id=154 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=soccerbase.com}}

|EFL League Two

|19

|4

|0

|0

|0

|0

|0

|0

|19

|4

2022–23{{Cite web |title=Jamie Walker {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Bradford City {{!}} Season 2022/2023 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=63586&season_id=155 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=soccerbase.com}}

|EFL League Two

|24

|4

|0

|0

|0

|0

|3{{efn|One appearance in EFL Trophy, two appearances one goal in EFL League Two play-offs}}

|1

|27

|5

2023–24{{Cite web |title=Jamie Walker {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Bradford City {{!}} Season 2023/2024 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=63586&season_id=156 |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=soccerbase.com}}

|EFL League Two

|19

|5

|1

|1

|3

|0

|2{{efn|name=EFLT}}

|0

|25

|6

colspan="2" |Total

!62

!13

!1

!1

!3

!0

!5

!1

!71

!15

colspan="3" |Career total

!299

6518331413236174

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

Honours

Heart of Midlothian

Wigan Athletic

Individual

  • Heart of Midlothian Supporters' Player of the Year: 2016–17{{cite web| url = https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/jamie-walker-returns-to-hearts-after-agreeing-long-term-deal-1-4956337| title = Jamie Walker returns to Hearts after agreeing long-term deal {{!}} The Scotsman| date = 28 June 2019}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

| bg = gold

| fg = navy

| list1 =

{{2014–15 PFA Scotland Scottish Championship Team of the Year}}

{{Heart of Midlothian F.C. Player of the Year}}

}}

{{Bradford City A.F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Jamie}}

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Edinburgh

Category:Scottish men's footballers

Category:Men's association football wingers

Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers

Category:Heart of Midlothian F.C. players

Category:Raith Rovers F.C. players

Category:Scottish Football League players

Category:Scottish Premier League players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:People educated at Forrester High School

Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Peterborough United F.C. players

Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players

Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen