Tom Cannon (footballer)
{{Short description|Irish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tom Cannon
| image = LCFC-Champions-24-DSCF8369-9078-2094 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Cannon waving in bus parade after winning promotion with Leicester in 2024
| full_name = Thomas Christopher Cannon{{Cite web |title=2022/23 Premier League squad lists |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2786707 |access-date=19 October 2022 |publisher=Premier League}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|12|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Aintree, England
| height = 1.80 m
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Sheffield United
| clubnumber = 28
| youthyears1 = 2012–2022
| youthclubs1 = Everton
| years1 = 2021–2023
| clubs1 = Everton
| caps1 = 3
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2023
| clubs2 = → Preston North End (loan)
| caps2 = 20
| goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2023–2025
| clubs3 = Leicester City
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2024–2025
| clubs4 = → Stoke City (loan)
| caps4 = 22
| goals4 = 9
| years5 = 2025–
| clubs5 = Sheffield United
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2019
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2022
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U20
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2023
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2024–
| nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland
| nationalcaps4 = 2
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 23:14, 25 April 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 14 November 2024
}}
Thomas Christopher Cannon (born 28 December 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|SheffieU}} club Sheffield United. Born in England, he represents the Republic of Ireland national team.
Club career
=Everton=
Cannon was born in Aintree and attended Maricourt High School in Maghull.{{cite web |title=Tom Cannon's first goal |url=https://www.maricourt.net/school-life/news-and-notices/news-notices-archive/tom-cannons-first-goal/ |website=Maricourt Catholic High School |access-date=24 September 2024}} Cannon is a youth product of Everton, having signed with the club at the age of 10. He signed his first professional contract in March 2021, penning a two-year contract until June 2023.{{Cite web |title=Striker Pens First Professional Everton Contract |url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2061915/striker-pens-first-professional-everton-contract |access-date=19 October 2022 |publisher=Everton}} He signed a contract extension in August 2022 which would take him to June 2025.{{Cite web |title=U21s Striker Cannon Signs New Everton Deal |url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2747656/u21s-striker-cannon-signs-new-everton-deal |access-date=19 October 2022 |publisher=Everton}} He made his senior debut with Everton as a late substitute in a 4–1 EFL Cup loss to AFC Bournemouth on 8 November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Joe |last2=Beesley |first2=Chris |last3=Newbould |first3=Kyle |date=8 November 2022 |title=Bournemouth v Everton - score, Gray, Lowe, Stanislas goals, commentary |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bournemouth-everton-teams-score-live-25466354 |website=Liverpool Echo}} Cannon went on to make his Premier League debut as a 74th-minute substitute in Everton's 3–0 away loss to Bournemouth on 12 November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Cooney |first=Gavin |date=12 November 2022 |title=Teenage Irish striker makes Premier League debut for Everton in Bournemouth defeat |url=https://www.the42.ie/tom-cannon-everton-debut-5918222-Nov2022/ |url-access=registration |website=The42.ie}}
== Loan to Preston North End ==
On 10 January 2023, Cannon joined Championship club Preston North End on loan until the end of the season.{{Cite web |date=10 January 2023 |title=Everton Striker Tom Cannon Joins PNE On Loan |url=https://www.pnefc.net/news/2023/january/everton-striker-tom-cannon-joins-pne-on-loan/ |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=www.pnefc.net}} He made his Championship debut four days later, starting in a 4–0 loss against Norwich City.{{Cite news |date=14 January 2023 |title=Preston North End 0-4 Norwich City: David Wagner wins first Championship game as Canaries boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64194822 |access-date=3 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport}} On 25 February, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Wigan Athletic.{{Cite news |date=25 February 2023 |title=Preston North End 2-1 Wigan Athletic: Hosts complete turnaround against struggling Latics |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64685966 |access-date=3 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport}} Cannon scored both goals in a 2–0 win against Queens Park Rangers on 7 April 2023.{{cite web |title=Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Preston North End: Gareth Ainsworth defiant after Championship defeat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65133468 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 September 2024}} Cannon scored eight goals in 21 appearances for North End as they ended 2022–23 in 12th position.
=Leicester City=
On 1 September 2023, Cannon joined Championship club Leicester City on a five-year contract.{{Cite news |date=1 September 2023 |title=Tom Cannon Makes Permanent Leicester City Move |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3664842/tom-cannon-makes-permanent-leicester-city-move |publisher=Leicester City F.C.}} It was later revealed that a stress fracture in his back had been discovered during his medical.{{cite web |title=Tom Cannon: Leicester City say they signed striker despite back injury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66854770 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 September 2024}} He made his debut for Leicester on 9 December 2023, as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle.{{Cite news |date=9 December 2023 |title=Leicester City 4-0 Plymouth Argyle - Patson Daka scored on return to Foxes side |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67598361 |work=BBC Sport}} On 1 January 2024, he scored his first and second goal for the club, netting twice in a 4–1 home win over Huddersfield Town.{{Cite news |date=1 January 2024 |title=Leicester City 4-1 Huddersfield Town: Tom Cannon scores twice as Foxes go 10 points clear at top of Championship |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67818350 |work=BBC Sport}} He also scored the following week in the FA Cup against Millwall.{{cite web |last1=Tanner |first1=Rob |title=Tom Cannon: An immediate impact, a 'diamond' – and Leicester's long-term answer up front? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5192304/2024/01/11/tom-cannon-leicester-impact/ |website=NY Times |access-date=24 September 2024}}
== Loan to Stoke City ==
Cannon joined Stoke City on loan for the 2024–25 season on 30 August 2024.{{cite web |title=Cannon explodes onto City scene |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2024/august/30/cannon-explodes-onto-city-scene/ |website=Stoke City |access-date=30 August 2024}} On the 2 October 2024, Cannon scored four goals in a 6–1 win against Portsmouth and in doing so, was the first player to score four goals for Stoke since Peter Thorne in March 2000.{{cite web |title=Stoke City 6–1 Portsmouth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cgmgw3019yjt |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 October 2024}} After scoring 11 goals in 25 appearances for Stoke, he was recalled by Leicester City on 15 January 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/tom-cannon-returns-from-stoke-city-loan|title=Tom Cannon Returns From Stoke City Loan|publisher=Leicester City F.C.|accessdate=15 January 2025}}{{cite web |title=Tom Cannon recalled by Leicester City |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2025/january/15/tom-cannon-recalled-by-leicester-city/ |website=Stoke City |access-date=15 January 2025}}
= Sheffield United =
On 23 January 2025, Cannon signed for Championship club Sheffield United for an undisclosed transfer fee that was reported to be worth up to £10 million.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-24 |title=Sheffield United sign Leicester City striker Tom Cannon |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2yn0ywn0wo |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Tanner |first=Rob |title=Sheffield United sign Tom Cannon from Leicester in £10m transfer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6077431/2025/01/23/tom-cannon-sheffield-united-transfers/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
International career
Cannon received his first call up for the Republic of Ireland Under 19s squad in October 2019 and played in three Under 19 European Championship qualifier matches against Switzerland,{{Cite web |title=Mohan's side fall to defeat against Switzerland |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u19-mohans-side-fall-to-defeat-against-switzerland |access-date=24 October 2022 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland}} Gibraltar{{Cite web |title=Ireland hit 13 goals in qualifiers |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/24/2019/999946198 |access-date=24 October 2022 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland}} and Denmark,{{Cite web |title=Ireland U19 fall to 2-0 defeat against Denmark |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u19-fall-to-2-0-defeat-against-denmark |access-date=24 October 2022 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland}} scoring his first international goal against Gibraltar. Cannon was next called up to an Under 20s squad in March 2022 and played in a friendly match against an Ireland Amateurs side.{{Cite web |title=Ireland U20s 0-1 Ireland Amateurs |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-ireland-u20s-0-1-ireland-amateurs |access-date=24 October 2022 |publisher=Football Association of Ireland}} His first call up for the Republic of Ireland U21 team came in March 2023, for a friendly against Iceland U21.{{Cite web |title=Ireland U21s squad named for Iceland game in Cork | Football Association of Ireland |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u21s-squad-named-for-iceland-game-in-cork |website=FAI.ie}} In May 2023, Cannon was called into a training camp with the Republic of Ireland senior national team by manager Stephen Kenny.{{Cite web |title=Kenny names 22-man squad for Bristol Training Camp | Football Association of Ireland |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/kenny-names-22-man-squad-for-bristol-training-camp |website=FAI.ie}} The FA have approached Cannon to try and convince him to play for England internationally rather than the Republic of Ireland.{{Cite news |last=McDonnell |first=Daniel |date=11 June 2023 |title=Stephen Kenny confirms England approach for Tom Cannon: 'He needed a bit of time to reflect' |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/stephen-kenny-confirms-england-approach-for-tom-cannon-he-needed-a-bit-of-time-to-reflect/a1355964513.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612114906/https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/stephen-kenny-confirms-england-approach-for-tom-cannon-he-needed-a-bit-of-time-to-reflect/a1355964513.html |archive-date=12 June 2023 |access-date=2 August 2023 |work=Independent.ie |publisher=Irish Independent |language=en}}
On 28 May 2024, Cannon received his first official call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior national team for two friendly matches against Hungary and Portugal, making his debut appearance as a substitute against Portugal.{{Cite web |date=28 May 2024 |title=John O'Shea names 26-man squad for Hungary & Portugal |url=https://www.fai.ie/latest/john-oshea-named-26-man-squad-hungary-and-portugal/ |access-date=30 May 2024 |website=FAI.ie |publisher=Football Association of Ireland}}{{Cite web |last=Fennessy |first=Paul |date=11 June 2024 |title=LIVE: Portugal v Ireland, international friendly |url=https://www.the42.ie/portugal-ireland-liveblog-6406145-Jun2024/ |website=The 42}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 21 April 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=3|Everton U21
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|144978|2021|access-date=15 February 2024}} |rowspan="2"|— |colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{Efn|name=FLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|144978|2022|access-date=15 February 2024}}
|colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5{{Efn|name=FLT}} | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | |||||||
| rowspan="3"|Everton
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|144978|2023|access-date=15 February 2024}}
|Premier League |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|—||4 | 0 | |||
| Preston North End (loan)
|20 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 8 | ||
| rowspan=3|Leicester City
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|144978|2023|access-date=24 February 2024}} |Championship |13 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 3 | ||
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|144978|2024}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!13 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|—||16 | 3 | |||
| Stoke City (loan)
|Championship |22 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 11 | ||
| Sheffield United
|Championship |13 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!71 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 86 | 28 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 14 November 2024}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"|Republic of Ireland | |||
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 2 | 0 |
Honours
Leicester City
- EFL Championship: 2023–24{{Cite web |title=Championship: 2023/24: Current table |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2040 |access-date=5 May 2024 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm}}
{{Cite web |title=Leicester: Squad details: 2023/24 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1527&teamTabs=stats&season_id=156 |access-date=5 May 2024 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Sheffield United F.C. squad}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cannon, Tom}}
Category:Sportspeople from the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton
Category:Footballers from Merseyside
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Preston North End F.C. players
Category:Leicester City F.C. players
Category:Stoke City F.C. players
Category:Sheffield United F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers
Category:English people of Irish descent