Sam Gallagher (footballer, born 1995)

Gallagher was born in Crediton, Devon, and originally played for the Plymouth Argyle youth academy. He also played for the Devon County Football Association alongside Ollie Watkins.{{Cite web|title=My journey: Ollie Watkins on how he went from Newton Town to playing for England|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Feb/26/ollie-watkins-grassroots-story-20240224|website=England Football}}

In April 2012 he joined Southampton amidst reported interest from fellow Premier League clubs Everton and Newcastle United.{{cite news |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-prospect-makes-debut-Southampton/story-20041375-detail/story.html |title=Former Plymouth Argyle prospect makes debut for Southampton |last=Errington |first=Chris |newspaper=The Herald |location=Plymouth |date=6 November 2013 |access-date=7 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110014023/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-prospect-makes-debut-Southampton/story-20041375-detail/story.html |archive-date=10 November 2013 |df=dmy-all }} The striker made his debut for the Southampton first team on 6 November 2013 in the League Cup against Sunderland, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Gastón Ramírez.{{cite news |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/sunderland-2-1-saints-coc-report-1159418.aspx |title=Sunderland 2–1 Saints (COC): Report |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=6 November 2013 |accessdate=7 November 2013 }} He later scored a second-half hat-trick against local rivals Portsmouth in a 7–0 victory in the FA Youth Cup in December.{{cite news |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/fa-youth-cup-report-saints-7-0-pompey-1228349.aspx |title=Saints 7–0 Pompey: FA Youth Cup Report |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=10 December 2013 |accessdate=23 December 2013 }} Gallagher continued to make semi-regular substitute appearances for the first team, before scoring his first senior goal against Championship side Yeovil Town in the FA Cup on 25 January 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25789059 |title=Southampton 2–0 Yeovil Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 January 2014 |accessdate=25 January 2014 }} He made his full senior debut for the club on 28 January when he started in a league match against leaders Arsenal, coming close to scoring his first league goal on a number of occasions.{{cite news |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/saints-2-2-arsenal-report-1323346.aspx |title=Saints 2–2 Arsenal: Report |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=28 January 2014 |accessdate=1 February 2014 }} He scored his first Premier League goal on 15 March 2014, in a 4–2 win against Norwich City.{{cite news |title=Southampton 4–2 Norwich |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26493213 |first=Michael |last=Emons |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 March 2014 |accessdate=15 March 2014}} On 10 May 2014, Gallagher was awarded a long-term contract extension with the Saints until the summer of 2018.{{Cite web |title=Gallagher extends contract to 2018 |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2014-05-10/gallagher-extends-contract-to-2018 |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=10 May 2014 |accessdate=27 August 2017}}

Following his successful loan to Blackburn Rovers, Gallagher signed a new improved four-year contract with Southampton on 1 July 2017.{{cite web|url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-07-01/announcement-sam-gallagher-new-southampton-contract|title=New deal for Gallagher|publisher=Southampton F.C.|accessdate=6 July 2017|date=1 July 2017}}

On 29 July 2015, Gallagher joined Championship side Milton Keynes Dons on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |title=Dons sign in-demand Gallagher |url=http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/dons-sign-in-demand-gallagher-mk-dons-sam-gallagher-sam-gallagher-southampton-2578638.aspx |publisher=MK Dons F.C. |date=29 July 2015 |accessdate=27 August 2017}}{{cite web|title=Gallagher joins MK Dons on loan|url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20150729-sam-gallagher-loan-southampton-mk-dons-2578623.aspx|publisher=Southampton F.C.|accessdate=29 July 2015|date=29 July 2015}} Gallagher made his debut for MK Dons in a 4–1 win away to Rotherham United on 8 August.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} On 6 January 2016, having failed to score in 15 appearances, he was recalled by Southampton.{{cite news|title=Sam Gallagher: Southampton recall striker from MK Dons loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35246160|accessdate=6 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 January 2016}}

On 11 August 2016, Gallagher joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan deal.{{cite web|title=Rovers sign Saints striker|url=http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/sam-gallagher-3240600.aspx|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.|accessdate=11 August 2016|date=11 August 2016}} He scored his first goal for Blackburn in a 2–2 draw with Burton Albion on 20 August.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37067438 |title=Blackburn 2–2 Burton |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2016|accessdate=22 August 2016}} On 20 October, Blackburn's manager, Owen Coyle, expressed his desire to sign Gallagher on a permanent contract, after he scored five goals from nine starting appearances.{{cite news |title=Sam Gallagher: Blackburn boss Owen Coyle 'would love to' buy Southampton striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37719757|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=24 October 2016|date=20 October 2016}} He finished the season with 12 goals from 47 appearances{{snd}}11 from 43 in the league{{snd}}as Blackburn were relegated to League One.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/07/brentford-blackburn-rovers-championship-match-report |title=Blackburn relegated to League One despite winning at Brentford |first=Paul |last=Doyle |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 May 2017 |accessdate=21 February 2018}}

Gallagher joined another Championship club, Birmingham City, on 21 August 2017 on loan for the 2017–18 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/10999632/southamptons-sam-gallagher-completes-birmingham-loan-move |title=Southampton's Sam Gallagher completes Birmingham loan move |publisher=Sky Sports |date=21 August 2017 |accessdate=27 August 2017}} As one of 13 new arrivals in a squad whose manager, Harry Redknapp, was sacked a few weeks later, Gallagher had an unsettling start to the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsbirmingham/sam-gallagher-opens-up-on-harry-redknapps-sacking-his-birmingham-city-loan-spell-and-more/ar-BBEZ3ME |title=Sam Gallagher opens up on Harry Redknapp's sacking, his Birmingham City loan spell and more |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=15 November 2017 |accessdate=8 May 2018 |via=msn.com}} He made his debut on 26 August playing as a lone striker in Birmingham's 2–0 home defeat against Reading; according to the Birmingham Mail{{'s}} reporter, he "was totally starved of service".{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-cheikh-ndoye-birmingham-city-13534582 |title=How Cheikh Ndoye and the other Birmingham City players rated in the defeat to Reading |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=26 August 2017 |accessdate=27 August 2017}} His first goal, deflected off defender Michael Dawson in stoppage time in a 6–1 loss at Hull City with incoming manager Steve Cotterill watching from the stands, took nine appearances to arrive.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-performance-result-hull-13701142 |title=The Birmingham City performance and result at Hull underlined a significant issue Steve Cotterill must address |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 October 2017 |accessdate=8 May 2018}} He welcomed Cotterill's fitness regime, and accepted that team selection would be based on the likelihood of those selected being able to make an impact.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wont-hide-criticism-says-birmingham-13859253 |title=I won't hide from the criticism, says Birmingham City boss Steve Cotterill |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=4 November 2017 |accessdate=8 May 2018}} Amid speculation that the club might try to end his loan early, he was given a chance on the wing{{snd}}a position he had played with Blackburn{{snd}}after Isaac Vassell sustained a long-term injury.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-played-sam-gallagher-13829242 |title=Birmingham City: Why I played Sam Gallagher on the wing – Steve Cotterill |first=Joseph |last=Chapman |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=30 October 2017 |accessdate=8 May 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sam-gallagher-analysis-strikers-birmingham-14199710 |title=Sam Gallagher analysis: The striker's Birmingham City future and how he's turned his season around |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=24 January 2018 |accessdate=8 May 2018}}

He was then moved into the centre, and on 16 December, in a 2–1 defeat at home to Queens Park Rangers, he was the Birmingham Mail{{'s}} man of the match, as he touched home the rebound from Maikel Kieftenbeld's shot as well as making a contribution defensively.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-player-ratings-sam-14047525 |title=Birmingham City player ratings: Sam Gallagher gets a 7, the other scores aren't that high after QPR defeat |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=16 December 2017 |accessdate=8 May 2018}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/birmham-vs-qpr/374871 |title=Birmingham 1–2 QPR: Jack Robinson double wins it for Hoops |publisher=Sky Sports |agency=Press Association |date=16 December 2017 |accessdate=8 May 2018}} Gallagher opened the scoring in the next match, away to Sunderland, and was sent off for two yellow cards{{snd}}one for simulation, the second for a foul{{snd}}as Birmingham held on for a draw.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/sland-vs-birmham/374893 |title=Sunderland 1–1 Birmingham: Blues earn point |publisher=Sky Sports |agency=Press Association |date=23 December 2017 |accessdate=8 May 2018}} After serving his one-match ban, the scoring spree continued with a goal in four of the six matches up to the end of January{{snd}}two wins and a draw in the league, and the only goal of the FA Cup third-round tie against Burton Albion. When Garry Monk took over in early March, he used Gallagher from the bench in his first match and partnering Lukas Jutkiewicz in a two-man attack in the next, after which a calf injury kept him out until the last three matches of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-been-handed-major-14550920 |title=Birmingham City have been handed a major boost ahead of Sheffield United |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 April 2018 |accessdate=8 May 2018}} He was a substitute in the first two, and started alongside Jutkiewicz in the last, a 3–1 win at home to Fulham that ensured Championship survival.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/birmham-vs-fulham/375159 |title=Birmingham 3–1 Fulham: Cottagers miss out on promotion as Blues secure safety |publisher=Sky Sports |agency=Press Association |date=6 May 2018 |accessdate=8 May 2018}} His six goals made him the team's top league goalscorer.{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=291&teamTabs=stats&season_id=150 |title=Birmingham 2017/18 Player appearances |website=Soccerway |publisher=Centurycomm |accessdate=8 May 2018}}

On 13 July 2019, Gallagher joined Blackburn Rovers on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |title=Sam Gallagher: Blackburn Rovers sign Southampton forward |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48976409 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=13 July 2019 |date=13 July 2019}} Under former Rovers manager Tony Mowbray, who departed the club in June 2022,{{Cite news |title=Blackburn confirm departure of manager Mowbray |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61382412 |access-date=2023-10-07}} Gallagher often found himself being played on the wings by Mowbray, instead of his natural central position,{{Cite web |date=2021-10-27 |title=Mowbray's right wing thinking for 'amazing athlete' Gallagher |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19674203.tony-mowbray-explains-use-amazing-athlete-sam-gallagher/ |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |language=en}} playing 3,469 minutes on the wing from a total of 7,429 minutes played under his former manager. The decision to play Gallagher out wide caused frustration amongst some Blackburn fans, frustration which continued under new head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Elliott |date=2022-10-17 |title=Gallagher answers lingering Blackburn Rovers question and makes Mowbray claim |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/gallagher-blackburn-rovers-mowbray-admission-25285742 |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}

On 19 September 2023, it was confirmed that Gallagher would be out of first-team action for up to two months,{{Cite news |title=Blackburn lose striker Gallagher to calf injury |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66852883 |access-date=2023-10-07}} having suffered a calf injury during Blackburn's 2–1 home win against Middlesbrough on 17 September.{{Cite news |title=Rovers top Boro for win in 5,000th league game |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66759957 |access-date=2023-10-07}}

On 31 July 2024, Gallagher joined Stoke City for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |title=Sam completes Stoke switch |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/july/31/sam-completes-stoke-switch/ |access-date=31 July 2024 |publisher=Blackburn Rovers Official Site|date=31 July 2024}}

Gallagher has a Glaswegian father, and played three games for Scotland at under-19 level. In February 2014 shortly after his father's death, Gallagher switched allegiance to his birth country, England.{{cite news |last1=Fisher |first1=Stewart |title=Sam Gallagher is a Premier League star in the making - Owen Coyle |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15119092.Exclusive__Sam_Gallagher_is_a_Premier_League_star_in_the_making___Owen_Coyle/ |accessdate=13 September 2018 |work=The Herald |date=26 February 2017}} On 24 February 2014, he was called up by the England under-19s for a friendly match against Turkey.{{cite web|first=Jamie|last=Reid|title=Noel Blake names England U19s squad for Turkey fixture|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2014/feb/blake-names-u19s-squad-for-turkey|publisher=The Football Association|date= 24 February 2014|accessdate=24 February 2014}}{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Lucas|title=Four Saints in England U19 squad|url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/four-saints-in-young-lions-squad-1379967.aspx|publisher=Southampton F.C.|date=24 February 2014|accessdate=24 February 2014}} He made his debut in the game, which England won 3–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/mar/05/england-v-turkey-match-report |title=England U19s shine in Chester as Young Lions beat Turkey |first=Jamie |last=Reid |publisher=The Football Association |date=5 March 2014 |accessdate=27 August 2017}}

{{updated|match played 25 April 2025}}

Southampton U21

• U21 Premier League Cup: 2014–15{{cite web|title=Report: Southampton 2–1 Blackburn Rovers (Under-21 Premier League Cup final second leg)|url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2015-04-20/report-southampton-21-blackburn-rovers-under21-premier-league-cup-final-second-leg|publisher=Southampton F.C.|accessdate=30 November 2016|date=20 April 2015}}

• List of sportspeople who competed for more than one nation

{{Reflist}}

• [https://southamptonfc.com/first-team/sam-gallagher Southampton F.C. profile.]
• {{Soccerbase}}
• [http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/sam-gallagher England profile] at The FA

{{Stoke City F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gallagher, Sam}}

Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Crediton

Category:Footballers from Devon

Category:Scottish men's footballers

Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Southampton F.C. players

Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players

Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players

Category:Birmingham City F.C. players

Category:Stoke City F.C. players

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:English people of Scottish descent

Category:21st-century English sportsmen

Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen