Michael Hector

Hector was born in East Ham, London.{{Hugman|23378|access-date=29 March 2016}} He began his career at Millwall before moving on to Thurrock where he played in the youth team. He was spotted by Reading after playing against them in a friendly for Barking Abbey and joined on scholarship terms at the start of the 2009–10 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2102256_reading_fc_defender_knows_he_has_a_hec_of_a_chance |last=Fordham |first=Jonny |title=Reading FC defender knows he has a Hec of a chance |newspaper=Bracknell Forest Standard |date=27 October 2011 |access-date=9 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030081316/http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2102256_reading_fc_defender_knows_he_has_a_hec_of_a_chance|archive-date=30 October 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=451949&tcmuri=181062 |title=Player profile: Michael Hector |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214110907/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=451949&tcmuri=181062 |archive-date=14 February 2013 }}

In October 2009, Hector joined Bracknell Town on loan, spending a month there before moving to Didcot Town in November.{{cite news |url=http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/sport/football/goalpost/s/2058952_bracknell_town_fc_2_frome_town_fc_3 |last=Freeland |first=Darrell |title=Bracknell Town FC 2 Frome Town FC 3 |newspaper=Wokingham Times |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=9 February 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.didcottownfc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=738&Itemid=152 |title=Tiverton 1–2 Didcot Town |publisher=Didcot Town F.C |access-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202225041/http://www.didcottownfc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=738&Itemid=152 |archive-date=2 February 2013 }} He went out on loan one further time that season, joining Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville in January 2010 though he made just one appearance as a substitute against Bromley.{{cite web |url=http://www.havantandwaterlooville.net/stats/appsbyall.asp?p=269 |title=Total appearances by player: Michael Hector |publisher=Havant & Waterlooville F.C |access-date=9 February 2013}} After playing in the reserves and gaining experience out on loan, Hector was rewarded with his first professional contract at Reading in May 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2085332,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805122702/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2085332,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Unknown |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=15 May 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2070721_thorvaldsson_and_bozanic_released |title=Thorvaldsson and Bozanic released |newspaper=Reading Post |access-date=9 February 2013}}

The 2010–11 season again saw Hector go out on several loan spells. He joined Oxford City in August 2010 along with fellow Reading defender Jack Mills and made seven appearances during a one-month stay.{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/8345458.FOOTBALL__Brooks_leaves_Oxford_City_as_three_arrive/ |title=Brooks leaves Oxford City as three arrive |newspaper=Oxford Mail |access-date=9 February 2013}} Hector then moved to Horsham in November on an initial one-month loan and scored his first career goal on debut against Billericay Town.{{cite web |url=http://www.hornetsreview.co.uk/Archive/2010-11/Billericay%28h%29.htm |title=Horsham 1 Bellericay Town 2 |publisher=Horsham F.C |access-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426202919/http://www.hornetsreview.co.uk/Archive/2010-11/Billericay%28h%29.htm |archive-date=26 April 2014 }} In December his loan was extended for a second month after which he returned to Reading having made 12 appearances, scoring once.{{cite news |url=http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/horsham-extend-hector-loan-1-1808795 |title=Horsham extend Hector loan |newspaper=West Sussex County Times |access-date=9 February 2013}} His spell at Horsham was marred by three red cards, including two dismissals in successive games prompting manager John Maggs to accuse referees of "destroying" the young defender.{{cite news |url=http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/sport/football/local-football/maggs-slams-referees-over-hector-red-cards-1-2335627 |title=Maggs slams referees over Hector red cards |newspaper=West Sussex County Times |access-date=9 February 2013}}

On 1 February 2011, days after returning from Horsham, Hector joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk on loan until 30 June.{{cite web |url=http://www.dundalkfc.com/ian-foster-update/ |title=Foster welcomes double capture |publisher=Dundalk F.C |access-date=9 February 2013}} The red cards received during his time at Horsham meant Hector was unable to officially sign for Dundalk until 16 February though he played in four pre-season friendlies in the meantime.{{cite web |url=http://www.dundalkfc.com/focus-on-hector/ |title=Focus on Hector! |publisher=Dundalk F.C |access-date=9 February 2013}} His competitive debut came on 4 March as a substitute in the opening day league fixture against Shamrock Rovers and he made a further 14 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice.{{cite web |url=http://www.dundalkfc.com/players-2013/first-team-squad/michael-hector/ |title=First team squad: Michael Hector |publisher=Dundalk F.C |access-date=9 February 2013}} Although Dundalk had initially hoped to extend Hector's loan for the rest of the season, he suffered a knee injury in May and he returned to Reading the following month.{{cite web |url=http://www.dundalkfc.com/hector-to-remain-with-reading/ |title=Hector to remain with Reading |publisher=Dundalk F.C |access-date=9 February 2013}}

Hector spent the next five months working his way back to full fitness and on 3 November he joined League Two side Barnet on an initial one-month youth loan.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15582242 |title=Barnet sign defenders Paul Downing and Michael Hector |work=BBC Sport |access-date=9 February 2013}} After an impressive start to his spell his loan was extended for a further month, and, on 23 December, was renewed until the end of the season.{{cite news |url=http://www.times-series.co.uk/sport/9387426.Bees_extend_Hector_loan_until_January/ |last=Newson |first=Adam |title=Reading defender Michael Hector's loan spell at Barnet extended until January |newspaper=Barnet & Potters Bar Times |access-date=9 February 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.london24.com/sport/barnet_extend_loans_of_reading_and_west_brom_youngsters_1_1162334 |title=Barnet extend loans of Reading and West Brom youngsters |publisher=London 24 |access-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108063003/http://www.london24.com/sport/barnet_extend_loans_of_reading_and_west_brom_youngsters_1_1162334 |archive-date=8 January 2012}} He became a regular in the first team and at the end of the season he was voted Barnet's Young Player of the Season.{{cite web |url=http://www.ctfc.com/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=451949&tcmuri=632224 |title=Player Profile: Michael Hector |publisher=Cheltenham Town F.C |access-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212061259/http://www.ctfc.com/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=451949&tcmuri=632224 |archive-date=12 February 2013 }} With Hector's contract up at the end of the 2011–12 season, his performances at Barnet attracted the attention of other clubs with Norwich City and West Ham United reportedly interested in signing him.{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11709/7493982/Duo-eye-Royals-starlet |title=Duo eye Royals starlet |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=9 February 2013}}

No move materialised though and Hector signed a new contract at Reading in summer 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2756901,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620160401/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~2756901%2C00.html |archive-date=20 June 2012 |title=Royals aim to extend ten contracts |access-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead}} On 24 July he joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a six-month loan but after falling out of contention, he returned to Reading on 7 November to train and play reserve games.{{cite web |publisher=Reading F.C |title=Hector Loaned |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/hector-loaned-262161.aspx |access-date=24 July 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/7nov12-hector-back-at-reading-472706.aspx |title=Hector back at Reading |publisher=Shrewsbury Town F.C |access-date=18 November 2012}} He remained eligible to play for Shrewsbury until his loan ended although on 22 November Hector was recalled early and immediately sent out to Aldershot Town until 1 January.{{cite web |url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/22nov12-helan-and-hector-recalled-502375.aspx?pageView=full |title=Loanees return to Reading and Man City |publisher=Shrewsbury Town F.C |access-date=22 November 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/loan-update-211112-501680.aspx |title=Loan Update |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=22 November 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.theshots.co.uk/news/Aldershot86918.ink?newstype=p |title=Loan deal confirmed |publisher=Aldershot Town F.C |access-date=12 November 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He made his Aldershot debut in central midfield in the FA Cup second round tie against Fleetwood Town on 1 December.{{cite web |url=http://www.theshots.co.uk/MatchReport.ink?matchid=60325§ion=Home&type=m |title=Super Shots go through in Lancashire |publisher=Aldershot Town F.C |access-date=3 December 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After a successful start at Aldershot Hector had expressed an interest in extending his stay with the club and on 2 January it was confirmed that his loan had been renewed.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20852609 |title=Aldershot Town: Michael Hector eyes longer loan stay |work=BBC Sport |access-date=2 January 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.theshots.co.uk/news/Aldershot89942.ink?newstype=p |title=Guy Madjo departs |publisher=Aldershot Town F.C |access-date=2 January 2013}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Hector's stay at Aldershot finished on 29 January 2013 with manager Dean Holdsworth revealing he had hoped to extend his deal and was disappointed to lose him, adding that Hector had wanted to go to a "bigger club".{{cite news |url=http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2128165_hector_uturn_leaves_holdsworth_back_in_the_hunt |last=Couch |first=Jon |title=Hector U-turn leaves Holdsworth back in the hunt |newspaper=Get Hampshire |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=31 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203085405/http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/sport/aldershottownfc/s/2128165_hector_uturn_leaves_holdsworth_back_in_the_hunt |archive-date=3 February 2013 }}

The day after his loan at Aldershot finished Hector made his third move of the 2012–13 season, this time on an initial one-month loan to Cheltenham Town.{{cite web |url=http://www.ctfc.com/news/article/hector-on-loan-628297.aspx |title=Hector in on loan |publisher=Cheltenham Town F.C |access-date=30 January 2013}} He made his debut in a 2–1 win over Torquay United on 2 February and earned praise from manager Mark Yates for his performance.{{cite web |url=http://www.ctfc.com/news/article/yates-post-torquay-h-633475.aspx |title=We were excellent |publisher=Cheltenham Town F.C |access-date=29 January 2016}} On 28 February his loan was extended for another month{{cite web |url=http://www.ctfc.com/news/article/hector-extends-loan-685541.aspx |title=Hector extends loan |publisher=Cheltenham Town F.C |access-date=28 February 2013}} and at the end of March it was renewed again, this time for the rest of the season.{{cite web |url=http://www.ctfc.com/news/article/hector-extension-738524.aspx |title=Hector extends loan until the end of the season |publisher=Cheltenham Town F.C |access-date=28 March 2013}} He scored his first Cheltenham goal with the winner against Gillingham on 13 April, securing a play-off spot for the club in the process.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22049487 |title=Cheltenham 1–0 Gillingham |work=BBC Sport |access-date=14 April 2013}} He played in both legs of the play-off semi-final against Northampton Town but could not prevent Cheltenham losing 2–0 on aggregate.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22328131 |title=Cheltenham Town 0–1 Northampton Town |work=BBC Sport |access-date=8 May 2013}}

On 26 July 2013, Hector joined Aberdeen on loan for six months.{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/hector-joins-aberdeen-947231.aspx |title=Hector agrees Dons loan |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=26 July 2013}} Upon his arrival Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes described him as "a big strong lad who comes with a good pedigree".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25449776 |title=Aberdeen's on-loan defender Michael Hector in Reading return |work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 December 2013}} In November, he scored his only goal for the Dons with a 20-yard strike in a 4–0 win against Partick Thistle.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24699697 |title=Aberdeen 4–0 Partick Thistle |work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 December 2013}} It was confirmed the following month that Hector's spell would not be extended due to an injury crisis at his parent club,{{cite news |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/michael-hector-wants-return-reading-6375049 |last=Watts |first=Charles |date=5 December 2013 |title=Michael Hector wants to return to Reading FC and realise his dream |newspaper=Reading Post |access-date=6 January 2014}} though McInnes was hopeful that he could re-sign him at the end of the transfer window providing Reading's situation improved.{{cite web |url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/aberdeen/259208-derek-mcinnes-not-giving-up-on-extending-michael-hectors-aberdeen-loan/ |title=Derek McInnes not giving up on extending Michael Hector's Aberdeen loan |publisher=STV Sport |access-date=6 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106175853/http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/aberdeen/259208-derek-mcinnes-not-giving-up-on-extending-michael-hectors-aberdeen-loan/ |archive-date=6 January 2014 |url-status=dead }} Hector became a fans' favourite and despite not re-signing for the Dons, travelled to Glasgow to watch Aberdeen win the 2014 Scottish League Cup Final.

Hector made his debut as a late substitute in Reading's 7–1 win over Bolton Wanderers in January 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/report-bolton-h-180144-1302188.aspx |title=Royals put seven past Bolton |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=19 January 2014}} He made two more appearances off the bench before starting for the first time in place of Kaspars Gorkšs away at Brighton & Hove Albion in a game that finished 1–1.{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/four-changes-for-royals-1405646.aspx |title=Four changes for Royals |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=9 March 2014}} He went on to make nine appearances in total, including four starts,{{Soccerbase season|55414|2013|name=Michael Hector|access-date=9 March 2014}} and at the end of the season was offered a new contract,{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/hector-taylor-to-discuss-deals-060514-1539489.aspx |title=Hector & Taylor to discuss deals |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=11 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507033114/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/hector-taylor-to-discuss-deals-060514-1539489.aspx |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=unfit}} which he signed in May, keeping him with the club until 2016 with the option of a further year.{{cite web |title=Taylor and Hector agree deals |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/hector-and-taylor-agree-deals-300513-1591485.aspx |publisher=Reading F.C |access-date=30 May 2014}} The following summer Hector signed a new three-year contract with Reading until the summer of 2018.{{cite web |title=Hector pens new three-year deal |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/hector-signs-new-contract-010615-2476829.aspx |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=1 June 2015 |date=1 June 2015}}

In a deadline day deal, Hector signed for Premier League club Chelsea on 1 September 2015. As part of the deal, he was sent back on loan to Reading for the 2015–16 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/09/hector-deal-completed.html |title=Hector deal completed |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}} Hector returned to Chelsea on 28 April 2016, a week before his loan deal was due to expire.{{cite web |title=Chelsea duo return to the Bridge |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/chelsea-duo-lucas-piazon-michael-hector-return-stamford-bridge-3083631.aspx |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=28 April 2016}} After the arrival of Antonio Conte, Hector trained with the first-team and was included in the squad of the Austrian tour and U.S. tour during pre-season.{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/08/frankfurt-switch-for-hector.html |title=Frankfurt switch for Hector |date=14 August 2016 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}}

File:Zen-Aintr (2).jpg in 2017]]

On 14 August 2016, Hector joined German side Eintracht Frankfurt on a season-long loan, making this his 13th loan in his career.{{cite news |title=Frankfurt switch for Hector |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/08/frankfurt-switch-for-hector.html |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=14 August 2016 |access-date=14 August 2016}} On 21 August 2016, Hector made his debut against 1. FC Magdeburg in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. He was sent-off after receiving a second-yellow in 100th minute; Eintracht Frankfurt went on to advance to the second round after winning 4–3 in the penalty shootout.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/match?gameId=452458 |title=1. FC Magdeburg 1–1 Eintracht Frankfurt |date=21 August 2016 |publisher=ESPN FC}} He scored his first Eintracht Frankfurt goal, a stoppage time equaliser against Hertha BSC on 24 September.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/eintracht-frankfurt/match/456855/hometeam-awayteam/report |title=Eintracht Frankfurt 3–3 Hertha Berlin |publisher=ESPN FC |access-date=1 August 2017}}

On 27 July 2017, Hector signed a season-long loan deal with Hull City.{{cite news |title=Hector Joins on Loan From Chelsea |url=https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-michael-hector-signing/ |access-date=27 July 2017 |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=27 July 2017}} He made his debut on the opening day of the season, 5 August 2017, away at Aston Villa, in a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40760772 |title=Aston Villa 1–1 Hull City |date=5 August 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=5 August 2017}} Hector scored his first goal for Hull City on 28 October 2017, with the final goal in a 2–3 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41703335 |title=Hull City 2–3 Nottingham Forest |date=28 October 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 October 2017}}

On 31 August 2018, Hector joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan deal.{{cite news |title=Michael Hector makes Owls loan switch|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/michael-hector-makes-owls-loan-switch/|website=swfc.co.uk|date=31 August 2018|access-date=3 April 2019}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against Preston on 22 December 2018.{{cite web|title=Sheffield Wednesday vs Preston North End on 22 Dec 18 – Match Centre – Sheffield Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/2018192/december/sheffield-wednesday-vs-preston-north-end-on-22-dec-18/|access-date=21 March 2021|website=www.swfc.co.uk}}{{cite web|title=Hector crowned 2018/19 SWFC Player of the Year|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/hector-crowned-201819-swfc-player-of-the-year/|access-date=21 March 2021|website=www.swfc.co.uk}} He made 39 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday in all competitions, scoring two goals. At the end of the season, he was voted as the club's Player of the Year.{{cite web |title=Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Year Award Winners from 1969 to 2020 |url=https://www.myfootballfacts.com/premier-league/premier-league-clubs-2/sheffield-wednesday-player-of-the-year/ |website=My Football Facts |access-date=6 September 2020}}

On 5 September 2019, it was announced that Hector would join Fulham, for an undisclosed fee, in the upcoming January transfer window. In an unusual move, he trained with the Fulham team until then.{{cite news |title=Chelsea announce Michael Hector will join Fulham after failing to play a game for the club in four years|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/05/chelsea-announce-michael-hector-will-join-fulham-failing-play-game-club-four-years-10693622/|website=metro.co.uk|date=5 September 2019|access-date=6 September 2019}} This move, combined with the suspension of the season due to the COVID pandemic, resulted in the headline that he effectively played "three pre-seasons" during the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |title=Hector: Pre-Season Expert|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/may/28/michael-hector-pre-season-expert|website=fulhamfc.com|date=28 May 2020|access-date=6 August 2020}} He made his debut in a 2–1 win against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on 4 January 2020.{{cite web|last=FC|first=Fulham|title=Fulham FC|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/|access-date=21 March 2021|website=Fulham FC}} On 4 August 2020, he started the 2020 EFL Championship play-off final which promoted Fulham back to the Premier League.

On 12 September 2020, Hector made his Premier League debut in a 3–0 defeat against Arsenal in the opening match of the 2020–21 campaign.{{cite web|last=FC|first=Fulham|title=Fulham FC – Fulham 0–3 Arsenal|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/september/Fulham-0-3-Arsenal/|access-date=21 March 2021|website=Fulham FC|date=12 September 2020 }}{{cite web|title=Michael Hector Profile, News & Stats {{!}} Premier League|url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4582/Michael-Hector/overview|access-date=21 March 2021|website=www.premierleague.com}}

On 31 January 2023, Hector signed for League One club Charlton Athletic on a short-term deal until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.charltonafc.com/news/done-deal-michael-hector-joins-addicks|title=DONE DEAL : MICHAEL HECTOR JOINS THE ADDICKS|website=www.charltonafc.com|date=31 January 2023|accessdate=31 January 2023}}

On 29 June 2023, Hector signed a new contract with the club ahead of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.charltonafc.com/news/michael-hector-pens-new-contract|title=MICHAEL HECTOR PENS NEW CONTRACT|website=www.charltonafc.com|date=29 June 2023|accessdate=29 June 2023}}

On 3 May 2024, it was confirmed that Hector would leave Charlton Athletic when his contract expired.{{cite news |title=2023/24 END-OF-SEASON SQUAD UPDATE |url=https://www.charltonafc.com/news/202324-end-season-squad-update|publisher=Charlton Athletic Official Site |date=3 May 2024 |access-date=3 May 2024}}

On 8 March 2025, Hector joined Dagenham & Redbridge on a deal until the end of the season.{{cite news |title=Daggers Sign Michael Hector|url=https://daggers.co.uk/daggers-sign-michael-hector/ |publisher=Dagenham & Redbridge Official Site |date=8 March 2025 |accessdate=8 March 2025}}

Hector was called up to the Jamaica national football team on 27 February 2015 for friendly games against Venezuela and Cuba.{{cite web |title=Four Newcomers For Jamaica's Reggae Boyz Football Squad |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20150227/four-newcomers-jamaicas-reggae-boyz-football-squad |publisher=Gleaner (Jamaica) |access-date=27 February 2015 |date=27 February 2015}} Later that year he was included in their 2015 Copa América squad, having received international clearance to represent them.{{cite web |title=Hector and McCleary gearing up for Messi and Argentina |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/reading-football-club-copa-america-michael-hector-garath-mccleary-2455344.aspx |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=13 May 2015 |date=13 May 2015}} He made his debut on 13 June, playing the full 90 minutes as Jamaica lost 1–0 to holders Uruguay in their opening group match in Antofagasta.{{cite news |title=Uruguay 1–0 Jamaica: Copa America champions start with a win |url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/uruguay-vs-jamaica/1947887/report?ICID=SP_HN_3 |access-date=14 June 2015 |publisher=Goal.com |date=13 June 2015}}

Hector attended Langdon School, Newham{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} and is the son of former Essex cricketer Pat Hector. He was eligible to play for both England and Jamaica at international level.

{{updated|15 March 2025.}}{{Soccerway|michael-hector/178792|accessdate=14 October 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=55414 |title=Michael Hector |publisher=Soccerbase |access-date=14 October 2017}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|30 June 2024}}{{NFT player|id=59504|name=Hector, Michael |accessdate=17 June 2015}}

Fulham

• EFL Championship play-offs: 2020{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53603848 |title=Brentford 1–2 Fulham |first=Rob |last=Stevens |website=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020}}

Jamaica

• CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up: 2015{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}
• CONCACAF Nations League third place: 2023–24{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Individual

• Barnet Young Player of the Season: 2011–12
• Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Year: 2018–19{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
• CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2024{{cite news|url=https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/reyna-pulisic-head-up-nations-league-finals-best-xi/|title=Reyna, Pulisic head up Nations League Finals Best XI|work=CONCACAF|date=27 March 2024|access-date=27 March 2024}}

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{{Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. squad}}

{{Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Player of the Year}}

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{{Jamaica squad 2015 Copa América}}

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Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Newham

Category:People from East Ham

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:21st-century Black British people

Category:Jamaican men's footballers

Category:Jamaica men's international footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Reading F.C. players

Category:Bracknell Town F.C. players

Category:Didcot Town F.C. players

Category:Havant & Waterlooville F.C. players

Category:Oxford City F.C. players

Category:Horsham F.C. players

Category:Dundalk F.C. players

Category:Barnet F.C. players

Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players

Category:Aldershot Town F.C. players

Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players

Category:Aberdeen F.C. players

Category:Chelsea F.C. players

Category:Eintracht Frankfurt players

Category:Hull City A.F.C. players

Category:Fulham F.C. players

Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players

Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Southern Football League players

Category:Isthmian League players

Category:League of Ireland players

Category:Scottish Professional Football League players

Category:Bundesliga players

Category:2015 Copa América players

Category:2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup players

Category:Copa América Centenario players

Category:2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup players

Category:2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup players

Category:2024 Copa América players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:English people of Jamaican descent

Category:Sportspeople of Jamaican descent

Category:Expatriate men's association footballers in the Republic of Ireland

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany

Category:Jamaican expatriate sportspeople in Ireland

Category:Jamaican expatriate sportspeople in Germany

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Ireland

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Germany

Category:21st-century English sportsmen