Mason Melia

A native of Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow,{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/stephen-kenny-call-16-year-33319681|title=Stephen Kenny will call on 16-year-old to lead the line for St Pat's in Europe|first=Mark|last=McCadden|date=July 24, 2024|website=Irish Mirror}} Melia attended the Coláiste Chraobh Abhann, captaining the school's under-15 side to the 2022 Leinster U15s Shield, getting a goal and an assist in the 3–0 final victory.{{cite web|url=http://colaisteca.ie/News/CCA-School-News-27-May-2022/653010/Index.html|title=CCA School News 27 May 2022|date=27 May 2022|access-date=16 May 2023|website=colaisteca.ie}}

Melia began playing football with local club Newtown Juniors, where he played until joining St Joseph's Boys at under-12 level. He later joined Bray Wanderers for a short stint, before moving to League of Ireland Premier Division side St Patrick's Athletic in the summer of 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/sport/soccer/wicklows-mason-melia-scores-screamer-for-st-patricks-athletics-and-breaks-records-in-the-process/42324795.html|title=Wicklow's Mason Melia scores screamer for St Patrick's Athletics and breaks records in the process|first=Daniel|last=Gorman|date=2 February 2023|access-date=16 May 2023|website=independent.it}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/he-just-had-it-inside-the-rise-of-mason-melia-from-promising-youngster-to-million-pound-premier-league-signing/a1395274005.html|title=‘He just had it’ – inside the rise of Mason Melia from promising youngster to million-pound Premier League signing|date=March 7, 2025|website=www.independent.ie}}

His performances for the youth team of St Patrick's Athletic earned him a call up to the senior squad in January 2023, and he made his debut in a Leinster Senior Cup, coming off the bench to score in a 3–1 loss to Wexford. In doing so, he became St Patrick's Athletic's youngest ever player and youngest ever goal-scorer.{{cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9286|title=Melia Becomes Saints Youngest Scorer|date=1 February 2023|access-date=16 May 2023|website=stpatsfc.com}} In May 2023, with Eoin Doyle suspended and Tommy Lonergan ill, Melia was again drafted into the senior squad, and made his league debut as a substitute for Conor Carty in an eventual 3–0 win against Drogheda United in the LOI Premier Division.{{cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/st-pats-debutant-mason-melia-ireland-554030|title=15-Year Old St Pat's Debutant Is The Next Name For Ireland Fans To Keep An Eye On|first=Gary|last=Connaughton|date=13 May 2023|access-date=16 May 2023|website=balls.ie}} He became the club's youngest league debutant, and the third youngest in league history - behind Sam Curtis & Evan Ferguson.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/irelands-mason-melia-world-feet-29969630|title=Ireland's Mason Melia has world at his feet - only 15 and already a first-teamer|first=Garry|last=Doyle|date=13 May 2023|access-date=16 May 2023|website=irishmirror.ie}} After the game, manager Jon Daly lauded Melia as an "exceptional" player.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/st-pats-interim-boss-hails-exceptional-mason-melia-after-15-year-old-becomes-clubs-youngest-league-player/a457160014.html|title=St Pat's interim boss hails 'exceptional' Mason Melia after 15-year-old becomes club's youngest league player|first=Sean|last=O'Connor|date=13 May 2023|access-date=16 May 2023|website=independent.ie}} Following his performances for St Patrick's Athletic, he was linked with a move to English Premier League side Liverpool in March 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-make-move-sign-15-26528738|title=Liverpool 'make move' to sign 15-year-old striker but face Premier League competition|first=Tom|last=Cavilla|date=22 March 2023|access-date=16 May 2023|website=liverpoolecho.co.uk}} On 30 June 2023, Melia came off the bench to score his first senior league goal in a 7–0 win over UCD at Richmond Park, with the goal making him the youngest ever goalscorer in the League of Ireland Premier Division at 15 years and 281 days old.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/15-year-old-mason-melia-becomes-youngest-saints-scorer-in-rout-of-ucd/a2055388410.html|title=15-year-old Mason Melia becomes youngest Saints scorer in rout of UCD|date=June 30, 2023|website=Independent.ie}} In August 2023, he spent time on trial at Manchester City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/ireland-u17-international-manchester-city-566413|title=Reports: Irish Wonderkid On Trial At Manchester City|first=Eoin|last=Harrington|date=August 6, 2023|website=Balls.ie}} On 20 August 2023, Melia scored the winning penalty in a 4–3 shootout win over Derry City in the second round of the FAI Cup after a 0–0 draw at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/31766/fai-cup-report-derry-city-0-0-st-patricks-athletic-aet-saints-win-4-3-on-penalties/|title=FAI Cup Report: Derry City 0 – 0 St. Patrick's Athletic AET (Saints win 4-3 on penalties)|website=Extratime|author=}} On 22 September 2023, on his 16th birthday, Melia came off the bench in the 83rd minute against Dundalk, before going on to win a penalty in injury time which he took himself and scored to secure a 3–1 win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0922/1406706-lonergan-on-the-double-as-saints-sink-dundalk/|title=Lonergan on the double as Saints sink Dundalk|first=Ronan|last=McNamara|date=September 22, 2023|via=www.rte.ie}} On 9 November 2023, it was announced that Melia had signed his first professional contract with the club, signing a 3-year contract to keep him with the club until the end of the 2026 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9494|title=Melia Signs Three Year Professional Contract|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} On 12 November 2023, Melia came off the bench in the 57th minute of the 2023 FAI Cup Final, making him the youngest ever player to play in an FAI Cup Final, as his side beat Bohemians 3–1 at the Aviva Stadium in front of a record breaking FAI Cup Final crowd of 43,881.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/anto-looked-at-me-like-i-had-ten-heads-how-young-guns-led-st-pats-to-cup-glory/a745313588.html|title='Anto looked at me like I had ten heads' – How young guns led St Pat's to Cup glory|date=November 12, 2023|website=Independent.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/big-things-predicted-young-saints-31422417|title=Big things predicted for young Saints after cup glory|first=Paul|last=O'Hehir|date=November 12, 2023|website=Irish Mirror}}

His first goal of the 2024 season came on 22 January in a Leinster Senior Cup game away to Usher Celtic.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9537|title=LSC Report: Usher Celtic 3-3 Saints|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} Melia scored his first league goal of the season on 1 August 2024, coming off the bench in the 77th minute at home to Sligo Rovers and finding the bottom corner 9 minutes later from 25 yards to help his side to a 3–0 victory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/they-have-taken-a-lot-of-stick-st-pats-boss-jon-daly-hits-back-at-criticism-after-saints-sink-sligo/a78566933.html|title='They have taken a lot of stick' – St Pat's boss Jon Daly hits back at criticism after Saints sink Sligo|date=2 April 2024|website=Irish Independent}} On 10 May 2024, Melia scored the final goal of the game in a Dublin derby away to Shamrock Rovers in a 2–2 draw at Tallaght Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/st-pats-teen-star-mason-melia-denies-shamrock-rovers-in-dublin-derby-thriller/a535939539.html|title=St Pat's teen star Mason Melia denies Shamrock Rovers in Dublin derby thriller|date=May 10, 2024|website=Irish Independent}} On 31 May 2024, Melia scored a backpost header to open the scoring in a 2–1 win over Galway United to help his side to their first league win under new manager Stephen Kenny.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0531/1452394-nolan-secures-kennys-first-win-in-charge-of-st-pats/|title=Melia and Nolan on target as St Pat's beat Galway|first=Paul|last=Buttner|date=May 31, 2024|via=www.rte.ie}} On 25 July 2024, Melia made his first European appearance of his career, starting up front in a 3–1 win over Vaduz of Liechtenstein in the UEFA Conference League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/st-pats-return-to-form-with-impressive-european-win-over-fc-vaduz/a1611014131.html|title=St Pat's return to form with impressive European win over FC Vaduz|date=25 July 2024|website=Irish Independent}} On 1 September 2024, Melia replaced Aidan Keena from the bench in the 76th minute at home to Drogheda United and scored the final goal of the game by finding the bottom left corner from 25 yards in the 93rd minute of a 4–1 win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0901/1467757-st-pats-profit-from-drogheda-red-for-comfortable-win/|title=St Pat's profit from Drogheda red for comfortable win|first=Darryl|last=Geraghty|date=September 1, 2024|via=www.rte.ie}} On 5 September 2024, he again scored after coming off the bench, this time heading home the winner in the 68th minute of a 2–1 win away to Dundalk at Oriel Park, just 6 minutes after coming off the bench.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0905/1468631-kennys-saints-see-off-dundalk-despite-son-eoin-scoring/|title=Kenny's Saints see off Dundalk despite son Eoin scoring|first=James|last=Rogers|date=September 5, 2024|via=www.rte.ie}} Melia was voted by supporters as the club's Young Player of the Year at the club's end of season awards night.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9702|title=2024 Awards Night Winners|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} On 23 November 2024, Melia was named PFAI Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals across the league, becoming the youngest winner in the award's 43 year history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9711|title=Melia - PFA Ireland Men's Young Player Of The Year|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/mason-melia-st-pats-2-6496643-Sep2024/|title='Will Mason Melia become the first €1 million League of Ireland player?'|first=Gareth|last=Lyons|date=September 25, 2024|website=The 42}}

On 14 March 2025, Melia scored his first goal of the season, getting on the end of Jason McClelland's ball across the 6 yard box for his sides second goal of the game in a 3–0 win over Bohemians at Richmond Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41594059.html|title=Melia on target as Saints cruise past limp Bohs in front of Hallgrímsson|first=Paul|last=Buttner|date=March 14, 2025|website=Irish Examiner}} On 18 April 2025, he opened the scoring in a 2–2 draw at home to Shamrock Rovers with a back post volley on the turn that bounced through the legs of Edward McGinty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2025/04/18/honours-even-in-hectic-dublin-derby-between-st-pats-and-shamrock-rovers/|title=Honours even in hectic Dublin derby between St Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers|website=The Irish Times}}

On 4 February 2025, it was announced that St Patrick's Athletic had agreed the transfer of Melia to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on a contract until the summer of 2031, commencing on 1 January 2026 for an undisclosed record transfer fee for a League of Ireland player, reported to be €2 million up front, rising to €4 million with add ons, plus a 20% sell on clause.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9730|title=Melia To Join Tottenham In 2026|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/february/deal-agreed-for-mason-melia-to-join/|title=Deal agreed for Melia to join|website=Tottenham Hotspur}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/mason-melia-set-to-become-league-of-irelands-most-expensive-ever-player-6613569-Feb2025/?utm_source=twitter_short|title=Irish teenager Mason Melia set to join Tottenham from St Patrick's Athletic|first=David|last=Sneyd|date=February 4, 2025|website=The 42}}

Melia is the nephew of former Republic of Ireland international footballer and sports agent Clive Clarke.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/the-uncle-the-nephew-and-a-moment-of-fate-for-promising-ireland-prospect/a1900790627.html|title=The uncle, the nephew and a moment of fate for promising Ireland prospect|date=May 27, 2023|website=www.independent.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41146987.html|title=Jon Daly confident of success with St Patrick's Athletic|first=John|last=Fallon|date=May 25, 2023|website=Irish Examiner}}

Melia has been described by his St Patrick's Athletic captain and centre back Joe Redmond as an all round striker, stating "He is a handful. His power, his speed and his finishing is incredible. He has a bit of everything. He can hold it up, he can go in behind, he can finish, he has got good control, and his maturity and knowledge of the game is really good as well."{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/st-patricks-athletic-captain-gives-34626670?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=communities#google_vignette|title=St Patrick's Athletic captain gives insight into 'humble' Spurs-bound teenager|first=Mark|last=McCadden|date=February 6, 2025|website=Irish Mirror}}

Melia has represented the Republic of Ireland from under-15 to under-17 level.{{WorldFootball.net|mason-melia}} He was part of the Irish under-16 side to win the 2022 Victory Shield, scoring in a 4–1 win in the final against Scotland.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishpost.com/sport/report-ireland-won-the-2022-victory-shield-after-beating-scotland-242661|title=Ireland won the 2022 Victory Shield after beating Scotland|first=Conor|last=O'Donoghue|date=5 November 2022|access-date=16 May 2023|website=irishpost.com}}

He scored a hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland U17 side in a 3–0 against Ukraine, helping them qualify for the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, for which he was also called up.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-u17s-6015861-Mar2023/|title=15-year-old Melia hits hat-trick as Irish U17s take step closer to Euros qualification|date=10 March 2023|access-date=16 May 2023|website=the42.ie}} At those championships he scored two goals in Ireland's final group game, against Hungary, in a 4–2 win which put his side through to the quarter-finals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0524/1385330-best-feeling-ever-ireland-u17s-cresting-euro-wave/|title='Best feeling ever' – Ireland U17s cresting Euro wave|date=May 24, 2023|via=www.rte.ie}} On 11 October 2023, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Armenia U17 in a 2024 UEFA U-17 Euro qualification fixture in Fermoy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-mu17-melia-hat-trick-inspires-irish-win|title=REPORT | MU17 | Melia hat-trick inspires Irish win | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}}

In November 2023, he received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U19 side, for their 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification games against Albania, Slovenia & Belgium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu19-mohan-names-squad-for-u19-euro-qualifiers|title=MU19 | Mohan names squad for U19 EURO qualifiers | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}} On 10 September 2024, Melia scored his first goal for the U19s, in a 1–1 draw away to Slovenia in a friendly.{{cite web | url=https://www.fai.ie/latest/report-mu19-slovenia-1-1-ireland/ | title=REPORT | MU19 | Slovenia 1-1 Ireland }}

In October 2024, Melia received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 team, for their 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification games against Norway and Italy, but missed out through injury.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/latest/ireland-under-21-squad-named-norway-and-italy-euro-qualifiers/|title=Ireland Under-21 squad named for Norway & Italy EURO Qualifiers|website=www.fai.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/1003/1473425-mason-melia-earns-first-republic-of-ireland-u21-call-up/|title=Melia features in Ireland U21 squad for first time|date=October 3, 2024|via=www.rte.ie}} He made his debut for the U21s on 24 March 2025, opening the scoring in a 3–1 win over Hungary U21 from the penalty spot, making him the youngest ever goalscorer for the U21s at 17 years 6 months and 2 days old, beating Troy Parrott's record by a month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/mason-melia-makes-irish-history-as-conor-mcmanus-fires-crawfords-colts-to-victory/a1474295889.html|title=Mason Melia makes Irish history as Conor McManus fires Crawford’s colts to victory|date=March 24, 2025|website=www.independent.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/mason-melia-becomes-ireland-u21s-34925090|title=Mason Melia becomes Ireland U21s' youngest ever goalscorer|first=Robert|last=Hynes|date=March 25, 2025|website=Irish Mirror}}

{{updated|matches played 25 April 2025}}{{Soccerway|mason-melia/877413}}

{{notelist}}

;St Patrick's Athletic

• FAI Cup (1): 2023
• Leinster Senior Cup (1): 2023–24

• PFAI Young Player of the Year (1): 2024
• St Patrick's Athletic Young Player of the Year (1): 2024

{{reflist}}

{{St Patrick's Athletic F.C. squad}}

{{PFAI Players' Young Player of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Melia, Mason}}

Category:2007 births

Category:Living people

Category:Association footballers from County Wicklow

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:League of Ireland players

Category:Bray Wanderers F.C. players

Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen