Ryan Loft

Born in Gravesend, Loft attended Northfleet Technology College, where he was a high jump champion.{{cite web|url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/development-squad/ryan-loft/|title=Profile|accessdate=29 May 2018|publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}}

After playing for Dartford and Ebbsfleet United, Loft joined Tottenham Hotspur for the 2013–14 season. He scored a hat-trick for the under-18 team in a 3–0 win over Norwich City in October 2015.{{cite news |last1=Ralph |first1=Vincent |title=McKenna's comments after Ryan Loft's U18 hat-trick speak volumes for team mantra at Tottenham |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/10/12/mckennas-comments-after-ryan-lofts-u18-hat-trick-speak-volumes-f/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=HITC |date=12 October 2015}} He moved to National League club Braintree Town on 4 March 2016 on a 'work experience' deal.{{cite news |title=Loft links up with Braintree |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/loft-links-up-with-braintree/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=Tottenham Hotspur |date=4 March 2016 |language=en}} Manager Danny Cowley said he was signed to provide depth to the squad and to gain experience.{{cite news |last1=Byrom |first1=David |title=What Ryan Loft's previous managers had to say about him |url=https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/football-news/ryan-loft-what-tottenham-hotspur-1037727 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=DevonLive |date=10 January 2018 |language=en}} However, Loft did not feature for Braintree and found that Shayon Harrison was preferred by Ugo Ehiogu for the Spurs under-23 team.{{cite news |title=Spurs youngster Ryan Loft joins Stevenage on loan: |url=https://superhotspur.com/2017/01/07/spurs-youngster-ryan-loft-joins-stevenage-on-loan/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=superhotspur |date=7 January 2017 |language=en}} He signed on loan for Stevenage on 7 January 2017, remaining until the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38543384|title=Ryan Loft: Tottenham Hotspur forward joins Stevenage on loan|date=7 January 2017|accessdate=7 January 2017|publisher=BBC Sport}} Boro manager Darren Sarll compared him to a young Duncan Ferguson.{{cite news |last1=Nash |first1=Mathew |title=Stevenage boss compares Tottenham Hotspur loanee Ryan Loft to Premier League icon Duncan Ferguson |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/01/09/stevenage-boss-compares-tottenham-hotspur-loanee-ryan-loft-to-pr/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=HITC |date=9 January 2017}} Loft made his English Football League debut later that day on 7 January, in a 3–1 victory over Newport County at Broadhall Way.{{cite news |title=Stevenage 3-1 Newport County |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38475066 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 January 2017}} He featured in a total of nine League Two games for the club, all as a substitute.

He scored his first goal in senior football on 15 August 2017, as Tottenham U23 drew 2–2 with Luton Town in the EFL Trophy.{{cite news |title=Report: Luton Town 2 Tottenham Hotspur U21s 2 |url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2017/august/match-report-for-luton-town-vs-tottenham-hotspur-u21-on-15-aug-17/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.lutontown.co.uk |date=15 August 2017 |language=en-gb}} He returned to League Two on loan at Exeter City on 22 January 2018, where manager Paul Tisdale looked to gain "some strength in depth".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42778883|title=Ryan Loft: Tottenham Hotspur striker joins Exeter City on loan|date=22 January 2018|accessdate=22 January 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite news |last1=Byrom |first1=David |title=Here's how Ryan Loft is settling in at Exeter City |url=https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/transfer-news/heres-how-tottenham-hotspur-starlet-1145738 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=DevonLive |date=31 January 2018 |language=en}} The loan was to run until the end of the 2017–18 season, though he only played 45 minutes of League Two football in a 1–0 defeat to Mansfield Town at St James Park.{{cite news |last1=Byrom |first1=David |title=Tottenham Hotspur striker Ryan Loft joins Exeter City on loan |url=https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-hotspur-striker-ryan-loft-1102792 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=DevonLive |date=22 January 2018 |language=en}} He was released by Tottenham at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/player-update-080618/ |title=Player Updated |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur Football Club |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611085407/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/player-update-080618/ |archive-date=11 June 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |last1=Sessions |first1=George |title=Tottenham Hotspur release a number of players from Wayne Burnett's development squad |url=https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/21157414.tottenham-hotspur-release-number-players-wayne-burnetts-development-squad/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=Ham & High |date=8 June 2018 |language=en}}

On 14 July 2018, Loft signed a two-year contract with Leicester City.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/11437377/ryan-loft-signs-two-year-leicester-contract|title=Ryan Loft signs two-year Leicester contract|date=14 July 2018|accessdate=15 July 2018|publisher=Sky Sports}} He scored three goals in three EFL Trophy games for Steve Beaglehole's development squad.{{cite news |last1=Blackwell |first1=Jordan |title=Matching Fleetwood proves quality of City development squad |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fleetwood-town-leicester-city-loft-1994895 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=LeicestershireLive |date=12 September 2018 |language=en}} He moved on loan to League Two side Carlisle United on 2 August 2019.{{cite news |title=Leicester loan Loft to Carlisle United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49207564 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 August 2019}} He did not feature regularly under Steven Pressley, but managed to score his fifth goal for the Blues upon being handed a rare start under caretaker manager Gavin Skelton in November.{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Andy |title=MANAGER: I completely understand Newcastle's point of view |url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2019/october/manageri-completely-understand-newcastles-point-of-view/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.carlisleunited.co.uk |date=31 October 2019 |language=en-gb}}{{cite news |title=INTERVIEW: Lots of positives but we didn't defend the moments |url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2019/november/interview-proud-of-the-efforts-but-disappointed/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.carlisleunited.co.uk |date=17 November 2019 |language=en-gb}} New manager Chris Beech commented that Loft "had a little bit of an issue in terms of being part of a disciplined group of people" and largely restricted him to reserve team football.{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Andy |title=INTERVIEW: Thankful that they allowed us to go across |url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2020/february/interview-thankful-that-they-allowed-us-to-go-across/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.carlisleunited.co.uk |date=27 February 2020 |language=en-gb}} Loft ended the 2019–20 campaign with six goals in 35 games, of which only nine appearances were starts in the league, and was released by Leicester at the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 released lists |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697130 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.premierleague.com |date=26 June 2020 |language=en}}

On 31 August 2020, Loft signed for League Two club Scunthorpe United on a two-year contract following a long pursuit by manager Neil Cox.{{cite news |title=Scunthorpe sign ex-Foxes forward Loft |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53974968 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Findlater |first1=James |title=Scunthorpe United sign former Tottenham and Leicester City striker |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ryan-loft-tottenham-leicester-scunthorpe-4473691 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=GrimsbyLive |date=1 September 2020}} He scored goals in each of his first two appearances of the 2020–21 season at Glanford Park. The Iron struggled, however, though found some form in January, when Loft scored a brace against Port Vale to secure back-to-back wins.{{cite news |last1=Bryan |first1=Molly |title=Neil Cox reacts to back-to-back home wins |url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2021/january/cox-post-port-vale-h/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk |date=26 January 2021 |language=en-gb}} He ended the campaign with nine goals in 43 appearances, finishing as joint-top scorer alongside Abo Eisa. Loft scored six goals in 19 games in the first half of the 2021–22 season and new manager Keith Hill admitted that his departure made the relegation-threatened club weaker.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Trevor |title=Scunthorpe United manager Keith Hill admits Ryan Loft sale has made them weaker |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/scunthorpe-united-exeter-keith-hill-6501377 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=GrimsbyLive |date=16 January 2022}} Valued at around £50,000, his sale was seen as vital for Scunthorpe's immediate financial survival.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Jordan |title=Scunthorpe United manager admits they had to sell Ryan Loft to Bristol Rovers to protect future of club |url=https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-rovers/scunthorpe-united-ryan-loft-bristol-rovers-3519093 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=Bristol World |date=7 January 2022}}

On 4 January 2022, Loft joined fellow League Two side Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club.{{cite news |title=Ryan Loft Signs For Rovers |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2022/january/ryan-loft-signs-for-rovers/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.bristolrovers.co.uk |date=4 January 2022 |language=en-gb}}{{cite news |title=Bristol Rovers sign Scunthorpe's Loft |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59870651 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2022}} He made his debut in a 2–0 win over Hartlepool United at the Memorial Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59918820|title=Bristol Rovers 2–0 Hartlepool United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 January 2022|accessdate=16 January 2022}} Loft opened his account for the club on 18 April, scoring the third goal in injury time to secure a vital win for Rovers over promotion rivals Port Vale, lifting the ball over the onrushing Vale goalkeeper after being played through by Sam Finley.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61063113|title=Port Vale 1–3 Bristol Rovers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 April 2022|accessdate=18 April 2022}} The season ended with a first career promotion for Loft, a 7–0 victory over Loft's former club Scunthorpe seeing Rovers overtake Northampton Town into the final automatic promotion place on goals scored.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61281127|title=Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2022|accessdate=10 May 2022}}

Loft started the 2022–23 season by scoring five goals in a six-match spell from August to September 2022. Loft had impressed manager Joey Barton with his willingness to work for the team having returned to pre-season in fitter shape, becoming a permanent fixture in the starting line-up.{{cite news |last1=Frost |first1=Sam |title=Barton admits Loft surprised him as Gas striker continues to impress |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-joey-barton-loft-7720267 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=BristolLive |date=19 October 2022 |language=en}} Barton commented in October that Loft was "unplayable at times".{{cite news |last1=Gregory |first1=Charlie |title=Joey Barton makes "unplayable" claim over Bristol Rovers player |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/joey-barton-makes-unplayable-claim-over-bristol-rovers-player/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=Football League World |date=24 October 2022}} Loft did though then miss a month due to a slight hamstring problem.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Jordan |title=Ryan Loft's continued Bristol Rovers absence explained by Joey Barton |url=https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-rovers/joey-barton-bristol-rovers-ryan-loft-3924739 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=Bristol World |date=19 November 2022}} He did not add to his goal tally upon returning to fitness and ended the campaign with six goals in 41 appearances, and was sent off for the first time in his career after fouling Carl Rushworth during a 1–0 defeat at Lincoln City.{{cite news |title=Match Report - Lincoln City 1-0 Rovers |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2023/february/match-report-lincoln-city-rovers/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.bristolrovers.co.uk |date=11 February 2023 |language=en-gb}} Loft was limited to three substitute appearances at the start of the 2023–24 season after finding himself behind Aaron Collins, Jevani Brown and John Marquis in the pecking order.{{cite news |last1=Hargraves |first1=Daniel |title=Ryan Loft has left Bristol Rovers for Port Vale |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ryan-loft-makes-port-vale-8722150 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=BristolLive |date=1 September 2023 |language=en}}

On 1 September 2023, Loft signed a two-year contract with League One side Port Vale after being purchased for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |title=Port Vale sign striker Loft from Bristol Rovers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66692003 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2023}} David Flitcroft, the club's director of football, said that he had pursued the striker all throughout the summer due to "his willingness to run unselfishly for the team, creating space or pressing the opposition aggressively".{{cite news |title=Ryan Loft is a Valiant |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/september/ryan-loft-is-a-valiant/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=1 September 2023 |language=en-gb}} He scored his first goal for the club on his 15th appearance, scoring in extra-time of a 3–3 draw with Stevenage in an FA Cup second round tie at Vale Park, though he went on to miss the final penalty kick of the shoot-out defeat.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Port Vale throw away FA Cup hopes in Stevenage drama |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/port-vale-throw-away-fa-cup-hopes |access-date=13 December 2023 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=13 December 2023}} Manager Andy Crosby said that "good on him for it [volunteering to take a penalty] because he is not in the greatest state obviously mentally (in terms of confidence), but he was immense when he came on. I was delighted for him. He scored a goal and I want him to build on that".{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Injury news and selection debate as Port Vale prepare for Wigan |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/injury-news-and-selection-debate |access-date=15 December 2023 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=14 December 2023}} He struggled for form, however, and lost his place in the team as fans turned against him.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Assessing the squad as Port Vale prepare for transfer deals |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/assessing-the-squad-as-port-vale |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=22 January 2024}} Injury to Uche Ikpeazu allowed him to regain his first-team place in the second half of the campaign.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Mighten signs as Vale look at more transfer deadline day business |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/mighten-signs-as-vale-look-at-more |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=1 February 2024}} Loft scored his first league goal for the club on 23 March to secure a 1–0 win at Burton Albion.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Loft winner at Burton gives Vale new hope |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/loft-winner-at-burton-gives-vale |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=24 March 2024}}

On 10 July 2024, Loft joined League One club Cambridge United on a three-year deal (with a club option on a fourth year) after moving for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |title=Ryan Loft bolsters attack {{!}} Cambridge United F.C. |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/ryan-loft-bolsters-attack |access-date=10 July 2024 |work=Cambridge United FC |date=10 July 2024 |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx8239279g9o|title=Ryan Loft: Cambridge sign Port Vale striker|date=11 July 2024|website=BBC Sport}} He had to wait until 5 October to make his first start for the club as he began the 2024–25 campaign injured.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Double blow tests Vale's options |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/double-blow-tests-vales-options |access-date=10 October 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=10 October 2024}} Manager Garry Monk said in December that he and the players were fully behind Loft following a poor start to his time at the club.{{cite news |last1=Apicella |first1=Liam |title=Loft has 'full backing' of Monk and team-mates |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/loft-has-full-backing-of-monk-and-team-mates-9396048/ |access-date=15 May 2025 |work=Cambridge Independent |date=12 December 2024 |language=en}} He scored his first goal for the club on 25 January in a 3–2 win over Mansfield Town at the Abbey Stadium and then followed this with another goal three days later in a defeat at Rotherham United.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Updates on and off the pitch as Accrington await |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/updates-on-and-off-the-pitch-as-accrington |access-date=31 January 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=30 January 2025}} Speaking two months later, new manager Neil Harris said that Loft was still finding his way in a Cambridge shirt.{{cite news |last1=Apicella |first1=Liam |title=Loft still 'finding his way in a Cambridge United shirt' |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/loft-still-finding-his-way-in-a-cambridge-united-shirt-9407350/ |access-date=15 May 2025 |work=Cambridge Independent |date=7 March 2025 |language=en}} Loft was sent off in the game that confirmed Cambridge's relegation into League Two after a touchline confrontation with Burton Albion's Udoka Godwin-Malife.{{cite news |title=Burton Albion 2-1 Cambridge United: U's relegated after Brewers defeat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cwyn1103xevt |access-date=15 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2025}}

Loft is a {{convert|1.90|m|order=flip}} striker who can hold the ball up front and provide a link between the midfield and attack. He described himself as "a strong powerful striker who's very quick for my size. I like being deceivingly quick as a tall player".{{cite news |title=Loft and Cox react after latest summer addition |url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2020/august/loft-and-cox-react-after-latest-summer-addition/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk |date=31 August 2020 |language=en-gb}}

{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Bristol Rovers

• EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2021–22{{cite news |last1=MacGregor |first1=Gregor |title=Ryan Loft conspiracy wrong as Bristol Rovers beat Scunthorpe for deserved promotion |url=https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-rovers/conspiracy-theorists-wrong-as-bristol-rovers-beat-scunthorpe-united-for-deserved-promotion-3685895 |access-date=2 September 2023 |work=Bristol World |date=9 May 2022}}

{{reflist}}

{{Cambridge United F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Loft, Ryan}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Gravesend, Kent

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Dartford F.C. players

Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players

Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players

Category:Braintree Town F.C. players

Category:Stevenage F.C. players

Category:Exeter City F.C. players

Category:Leicester City F.C. players

Category:Carlisle United F.C. players

Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players

Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players

Category:Port Vale F.C. players

Category:Cambridge United F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen