Tom Barkhuizen

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Tom Barkhuizen

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Thomas John Barkhuizen{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Preston North End |publisher=English Football League |page=57 |access-date=25 October 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|07|04|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/tom-barkhuizen-236497/ |title=Tom Barkhuizen|website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=21 July 2018}}

| birth_place = Blackpool, England

| height = {{convert|1.79|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/teams/player/tom-barkhuizen |title=Tom Barkhuizen |publisher=Derby County F.C. |access-date=16 August 2022}}

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Derby County

| clubnumber = 7

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Blackpool Rangers

| youthyears2 = 2009–2010

| youthclubs2 = Blackpool

| years1 = 2010–2015

| clubs1 = Blackpool

| caps1 = 21

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 2011–2012

| clubs2 = → Hereford United (loan)

| caps2 = 38

| goals2 = 11

| years3 = 2012

| clubs3 = → Fleetwood Town (loan)

| caps3 = 13

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2014

| clubs4 = → Morecambe (loan)

| caps4 = 5

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2015–2016

| clubs5 = Morecambe

| caps5 = 54

| goals5 = 15

| years6 = 2017–2022

| clubs6 = Preston North End

| caps6 = 199

| goals6 = 33

| years7 = 2022–

| clubs7 = Derby County

| caps7 = 95

| goals7 = 10

| club-update = 16:02, 9 April 2025 (UTC)

}}

Thomas John Barkhuizen (born 4 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays a forward for {{English football updater|DerbyCou}} club Derby County.

Barkhuizen started his career at Blackpool, making his senior debut in 2010 he also had loan spells at Hereford United, Fleetwood Town and Morecambe. In 2015, Barkhuizen signed a contract with Morecambe, however this was terminated early in November 2016 due to cashflow issues.

He then signed a pre-contract agreement with Preston North End, which started in January 2017, Barkhuizen made 209 appearances in five and a half years. In July 2022, Barkhuizen signed with Derby County and in his second season in the club helped them gain automatic promotion to the Championship.

Career

=Blackpool=

Born in Blackpool, Barkhuizen played junior football on the Fylde coast with Blackpool Rangers.

In May 2009 he signed on as a first-year scholar with Blackpool's youth department. Before that he had been at the Centre of Excellence for four months, and had scored in every game he played at both under-16 and under-17 levels.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1662084,00.html |title=Young Hopefuls Sign Up |publisher=Blackpool |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=24 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523190113/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1662084,00.html |archive-date=23 May 2009 |url-status=unfit }}

On 24 August 2010, whilst still a second-year youth scholar, he made his first team debut in the second round of the 2010–11 League Cup, against Milton Keynes at Stadium MK.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8932928.stm|title=MK Dons v Blackpool|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2010|access-date=24 August 2010}} Assistant manager Steve Thompson said of Barkhuizen: "Tom has come through the youth set up and I felt he handled himself very well for his debut. He is not the finished article by a long shot but once he gets a little bit of strength I think we've got a decent player there. I thought he did fantastic."{{cite news|last=Canavan|first=Steve|title= Pool try to tempt Tudgay |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Pool-try-to-tempt-Tudgay.6492755.jp|access-date=25 August 2010|newspaper=Blackpool Gazette|date=25 August 2010}}

In August 2011, he made a late substitute appearance in the League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday before joining League Two side Hereford United on loan until the end of the year. He scored on his debut in a 4–1 Football League Trophy defeat to Bournemouth on 30 August.{{cite news|title=Sky Sports: Match Report – Jayden's stock rises|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/249068/report|publisher=Sky Sports|date=30 August 2011|access-date=26 December 2014}} His first league goal came on 10 September 2011, in a 3–1 loss against Shrewsbury Town.{{cite news|title=Shrewsbury Town 3 – 1 Hereford United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14773127|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 September 2011|access-date=26 December 2014}} On 20 December, after scoring seven goals for the Bulls, Barkhuizen stated that he wanted to stay at Edgar Street until the end of the season.{{cite web|last=Canavan|first=Steve|title=Loan plea from Tom|date=20 December 2011|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/loan-plea-from-tom-1-4076821|work=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=23 April 2012}} His loan deal was extended until the end of the season on 9 January 2012.{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Paul|title=Tom Barkhuizen extends loan at Hereford United until the end of the season|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/9457738.Tom_Barkhuizen_extends_loan_at_Hereford_United_until_the_end_of_the_season/?ref=rss|work=Hereford Times|access-date=23 April 2012|date=6 January 2012}} Then in late February, Barkhuizen would score his first brace despite losing 5–4 to Gillingham{{cite news|title=Gillingham 5 – 4 Hereford United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17109390|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 February 2012|access-date=26 December 2014}} and then scored in a 2–1 win over Wimbledon, to end "a run of 10 home games without a win".{{cite news|title=Pitman praises battling Bulls|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12956/7568513/pitman-praises-battling-bulls|publisher=Sky Sports|date=4 March 2012|access-date=26 December 2014}} Following the club's relegated to the Conference from League Two at the end of the 2011–12 season and made thirty eight appearances and scoring eleven times, Barkuizen was praised by Manager Jamie Pitman for his role as a striker and helping the club go into positive forms.{{cite news|title=Rest revitalises Bulls striker|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12956/7475327/rest-revitalises-bulls-striker|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2 February 2012|access-date=26 December 2014}} Barkhuizen contract with Blackpool was extended for another year.{{cite news|title=Ormerod heads for Pool exit|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/ormerod-heads-for-pool-exit-1-4572406|work=Blackpool Gazette|date=22 May 2012|access-date=26 December 2014}}

On 29 August 2012, Barkhuizen joined Blackpool's Fylde coast neighbours Fleetwood Town on loan until January 2013, together with teammate Ashley Eastham who joined on loan for one month.{{cite web|title=Young Pool pair join Fleetwood|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town/young-pool-pair-join-fleetwood-1-4876726|work=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=29 August 2012|date=29 August 2012}} He made his debut three days later in a 4–1 win over Aldershot Town at Highbury Stadium.{{cite web|title=Fleetwood 4–1 Aldershot|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19377855|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=3 September 2012|date=1 September 2012}} He scored his first and only goal for Fleetwood in a 2–1 win over Barnet on 29 September 2012.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19684417 "Fleetwood 2–1 Barnet"] BBC Sport. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2014. After five months at Fleetwood Town, Barkhuizen returned to his parent club.{{cite news|title=Barry's back at Blackpool|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/blackpool-fc/barry-s-back-at-blackpool-1-5271219|work=Blackpool Gazette|date=3 January 2013|access-date=26 December 2014}} After this, Barkhuizen signed a one-year contract with the club following the end of the 2012–13 season.{{cite news|title=Barry Ferguson: Blackpool midfielder signs one-year deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/229526830|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 June 2013|access-date=8 May 2014}}

On 24 August 2013, in his second league appearance for the club, Barkhuizen scored his first goal for Blackpool in a 1–0 win over Reading.{{cite news|title=Blackpool 1 – 0 Reading|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23736945|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2013|access-date=26 December 2014}} His second goal for the club came in the FA Cup against Bolton Wanderers on 4 January 2014.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25532108 "Bolton 2–1 Blackpool"] BBC Sport. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014. However, his season soon was disrupted with fractured and dislocated collarbone injury that kept him out for six weeks{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-set-for-six-week-injury-absence-1294542.aspx |title=Barkhuizen Set For Six Week Absence |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |access-date=26 December 2014 |date=14 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226153431/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-set-for-six-week-injury-absence-1294542.aspx |archive-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=unfit }} and then made his return to action in early March.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-returns-to-training-1398388.aspx |title=Barkhuizen Returns To Training |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |access-date=26 December 2014 |date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226153442/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-returns-to-training-1398388.aspx |archive-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=unfit }} After the end of 2013–14 season, Barkhuizen making fourteen appearances, his contract with Blackpool after his 12-month contract was activated further.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-to-stay-at-blackpool-1540681.aspx |title=Barkhuizen To Stay at Blackpool |publisher=Blackpool Official Website |access-date=8 May 2014 |date=7 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507194134/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-to-stay-at-blackpool-1540681.aspx |archive-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=unfit }}

Shortly after returning to Blackpool, Barkhuizen soon fractured his arm in a practice match that left him out for a month.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-set-for-short-spell-on-sidelines-2108498.aspx |title=Barkhuizen Set For Short Spell on Sidelines |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |access-date=26 December 2014 |date=27 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226145607/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-set-for-short-spell-on-sidelines-2108498.aspx |archive-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=unfit }}

=Morecambe=

Barkhuizen joined League Two side Morecambe on 17 October 2014 for one month.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29661111|title=Tom Barkhuizen: Morecambe sign Blackpool striker on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 October 2014|access-date=18 October 2014}} The next day, on 18 October 2014, Barkhuizen made his debut for Morecambe, where he came on as a substitute for Paul Mullin in the second half, which Morecambe won 2–0 against Burton Albion.{{cite web|url=http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/?matchid=3734213&tcmuri=1655902 |title=Match Report: Burton Albion 0 – 2 Morecambe |publisher=Burton Albion F.C. |access-date=26 December 2014 |date=28 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226145958/http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/?matchid=3734213&tcmuri=1655902 |archive-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=unfit }} After making five appearances for Morecambe, it announced on 17 November that Barkhuizen would return to his parent club in conclusion to his loan spell at Morecambe.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-returns-to-blackpool-2087432.aspx |title=Tom Barkhuizen Returns To Blackpool |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |access-date=26 December 2014 |date=17 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226150902/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/barkhuizen-returns-to-blackpool-2087432.aspx |archive-date=26 December 2014 |url-status=unfit }}

On 9 May 2015, Barkhuizen joined Morecambe permanently on a two-year contract.{{cite news|title=Tom Barkhuizen: Morecambe sign ex-Blackpool winger|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32675965|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2015|access-date=5 July 2015}}

After Morecambe were late paying staff wages in November 2016 due to cash-flow problems, the option of selling a player was proposed.{{cite news|title=Morecambe: League Two club's players and staff not paid wages|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37883254|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 November 2016|access-date=10 November 2016}} Barkhuzien's contract was duly cancelled by mutual consent on 9 November 2016,{{cite news|title=Club statement regarding Tom Barkhuizen|url=http://www.morecambefc.com/news/article/2016-17/morecambe-football-club-statement-regarding-tom-barkhuizen-3408529.aspx|publisher=Morecambe F.C.|date=9 November 2016|access-date=10 November 2016}} and Morecambe's wages were paid the same day.{{cite news|title=Club statement from Diego Lemos|url=http://www.morecambefc.com/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-3408448.aspx|publisher=Morecambe F.C.|date=9 November 2016|access-date=10 November 2016}}

=Preston North End=

On 17 November 2016, Barkhuizen agreed a pre-contract agreement with Preston, signing a {{frac|2|1|2}}-year contract and taking the number 29 shirt.{{cite news|title=Tom Barkhuizen: Preston North End to sign Morecambe forward|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37936196|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 November 2016|access-date=18 November 2016}}

In July 2019 he signed a new three-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48922700|title=Tom Barkhuizen: Preston North End forward signs new three-year deal|date=9 July 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} He was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.pnefc.net/news/2022/may/preston-north-end-retained-list-confirmed/|title=Preston North End Retained List Confirmed|website=pnefc.net|date=9 May 2022}}

=Derby County=

On 2 July 2022, Barkhuizen joined Derby County on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2022/07/barkhuizen-becomes-the-first-new-addition-to-derbys-squad|title=Barkhuizen becomes the first new addition to Derbys squad|date=2 July 2022}} He scored his first goal for Derby in an EFL Cup win over Mansfield Town on 9 August 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62388039|title=Mansfield 1-2 Derby|publisher=BBC

|date=9 August 2022 |access-date=10 August 2022}} He scored 6 times in 48 first team appearances during 2022–23 season as Derby finished 7th in the league, missing out on the play-offs by 1 point.

Barkhuizen picked up a calf injury in Derby's first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2023–24 season against Matlock Town on 8 July 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-notebook-gossip-news-8587839|title=Derby County notebook – Mendez-Laing plan, Washington, Barkhuizen and Bielik injury|work=Derby Evening Telegraph|date=10 July 2023|access-date=14 September 2022}} He was ruled out of first team action for two months.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66624745|title=Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Derby County|publisher=BBC |date=2 September 2023|access-date=14 September 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-injury-news-portsmouth-8748610|title=Ward, Bird, Barkhuizen – Derby County injury news and return dates ahead of Portsmouth clash|work=Derby Evening Telegraph|date=10 July 2023|access-date=14 September 2022}} Barkuzien scored eight goals in 43 appearances for Derby during his second season for the club as they finished runners-up in the division and earn promotion to the Championship automatically.{{cite news|title=Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-derby-county-promoted-duo-9250843|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=27 April 2024|accessdate=28 April 2024}}

On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Barkhuizen had trigged a one-year performance-based clause to extend his contract at Derby until June 2025.{{cite news|title=Derby County Retained List: 2023/24 Season|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/05/derby-county-retained-list-202324-season|publisher=Derby County|date=18 May 2024|accessdate=18 May 2024}} Barkhuizen had a frustrating start to the 2024–25 season with poor performances and injuries.{{cite news|title='Blimey' - the winners and the losers as brilliant Derby County defy early expectation|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-winners-and-losers-9622127|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=10 October 2024|accessdate=11 October 2024}}

Personal life

Barkhuizen went to Cardinal Allen Catholic High School in Fleetwood. Barkhuizen is of South African descent through his grandfather, and the South Africa national football team showed an interest in calling him up.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deepdaledigest.com/news/south-africa-ramp-up-their-pursuit-of-tom-barkhuizen/|title=South Africa ramp up their pursuit of Tom Barkhuizen|date=17 November 2019}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals !Apps	Goals !Apps	Goals !Apps	Goals !Apps	Goals
rowspan="6"\|Blackpool \|2010–11{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2010\|access-date=30 September 2017}} \|Premier League \|0	0	1	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	2	0
2011–12{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2011\|access-date=30 September 2017}} \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
2012–13{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2012\|access-date=30 September 2017}} \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0
2013–14{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2013\|access-date=30 September 2017}} \|Championship \|14	1	1	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	15	2
2014–15{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2014\|access-date=30 September 2017}} \|Championship \|7	0	1	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	8	0
colspan="2"\|Total !21	1	3	1	3	0	0	0	27	2
Hereford United (loan) \|2011–12 \|League Two \|38	11	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	1Appearances in the Football League Trophy	1	39	12
Fleetwood Town (loan) \|2012–13 \|League Two \|13	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	14	1
Morecambe (loan) \|2014–15 \|League Two \|5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
rowspan="3"\|Morecambe \|2015–16{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2015\|access-date=30 September 2017}} \|League Two \|40	10	2	1	0	0	3	1	45	12
2016–17{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2016\|access-date=30 September 2017}} \|League Two \|14	5	1	0	2	0	2Appearances in the EFL Trophy	0	19	5
colspan="2"\|Total !54	15	3	1	2	0	5	1	64	17
rowspan="7"\|Preston North End \|2016–17 \|Championship \|17	6	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	17	6
2017–18{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2017}} \|Championship \|46	8	1	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	47	8
2018–19{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2018}} \|Championship \|34	6	1	0	2	1	colspan="2"\|—	37	6
2019–20{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2019}} \|Championship \|44	9	0	0	3	2	colspan="2"\|—	47	11
2020–21{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2020}} \|Championship \|45	4	0	0	2	2	colspan="2"\|—	47	6
2021–22{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2021\|accessdate=9 May 2022}} \|Championship \|13	0	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	14	0
colspan="2"\|Total !199	33	2	0	8	5	0	0	209	37
rowspan=4\|Derby County \|2022–23{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2022\|access-date=30 July 2022}} \|League One \|41	4	3	1	2	1	2	0	48	6
2023–24{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2023\|access-date=4 August 2023}} \|League One \|37	6	2	1	0	0	4	1	43	8
2024–25{{soccerbase season\|56212\|2024\|access-date=8 August 2024}} \|Championship \|17	0	1	0	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	20	0
colspan="2"\|Total !95	10	6	2	4	1	6	1	111	14
colspan="3"\|Career total !427	71	15	4	17	6	12	3	469	84