Joe Taylor (footballer, born 2002)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph William John Taylor[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 18 November 2002[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Peterborough, England | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[3] | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Wigan Athletic (on loan from Huddersfield Town) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Norwich City | |||
| King's Lynn Town | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021 | King's Lynn Town | 1 | (0) |
| 2021 | → Wroxham (loan) | 11 | (20) |
| 2021–2023 | Peterborough United | 12 | (0) |
| 2023–2025 | Luton Town | 18 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | → Colchester United (loan) | 25 | (11) |
| 2024 | → Lincoln City (loan) | 19 | (10) |
| 2025– | Huddersfield Town | 34 | (6) |
| 2026– | → Wigan Athletic (loan) | 13 | (9) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022–2023 | Wales U21 | 3 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 March 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 11:22, 20 November 2023 (UTC) | |||
Joseph William John Taylor (born 18 November 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club, Wigan Athletic, on loan from fellow EFL League One club Huddersfield Town and is a Wales under-21 international.
Club career
King's Lynn Town
Taylor began his career in the academy at Norwich City, before being released at the age of 15. Taylor signed for King's Lynn Town at the age of 16.[4]
Taylor signed a one-year contract extension King's Lynn in December 2020.[5] Taylor joined Eastern Counties League Premier Division club Wroxham on loan ahead of the 2021–22 season, making his debut on the opening day against Walsham-le-Willows.[6] In his first home match, Taylor scored a hat-trick as his side thrashed Thetford Town 7–2.[7] In October 2021, Taylor was recalled by King's Lynn after scoring 21 goals in just thirteen appearances[8] and made his National League debut off of the bench in a 1–0 home defeat to Solihull Moors.[9]
Peterborough United
On 15 November 2021, Taylor joined Championship club Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal, initially joining up with the club's under-23 squad.[10] In December 2021, it was reported that Taylor had been impressing in the under-23 squad and would begin training with the first-team.[11] After scoring a hat-trick in a Premier League Cup quarter-final victory against Charlton Athletic,[12] Taylor made his first-team debut four days later on 8 March 2022 in a 1–1 draw with second-placed AFC Bournemouth.[13]
He scored his first goal for Peterborough in an EFL Cup win over Plymouth Argyle on 10 August 2022.[14]
Luton Town
On 31 January 2023, Taylor signed for Championship club Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.[15]
Taylor’s appearance in the 2022/23 Championship Play-Off Final on 27 May 2023 is regarded as one of the most dramatic cameos in Wembley history. Entering the match at the interval of extra time (106th minute) to replace an injured Elijah Adebayo, Taylor experienced a "100 to zero" emotional rollercoaster within just 15 minutes of play. [16]
The Disallowed "Winner"
In the 116th minute, with the score tied at 1–1, Taylor capitalised on a heavy touch by Coventry defender Jonathan Panzo. He robbed the ball, sprinted through on goal, and slotted a low finish past goalkeeper Ben Wilson, sparking wild celebrations from the Luton bench and fans.
However, VAR intervened and correctly ruled that the ball had ricocheted off Taylor's hand as he dispossessed Panzo, causing the goal to be disallowed for handball. Taylor later admitted he knew it had hit his hand but felt the decision was "harsh" given it was a ricochet.
Penalty Shootout Heroics
Despite the heartbreak of the disallowed goal, Taylor refocused for the subsequent penalty shootout. He stepped up to take Luton's second penalty and scored confidently, helping the team maintain a perfect record of 6-for-6 in the shootout. Luton eventually won 6–5 on penalties to secure promotion to the Premier League.
On 5 August 2023, Taylor signed for League Two club Colchester United on a season-long loan.[17] He was recalled from his loan on 8 January 2024.[18]
On 9 January 2024, Taylor signed for League One club Lincoln City for the remainder of the season.[19] He made his debut the following weekend in the 1–1 draw against Wycombe Wanderers.[20] He scored his first goal against Exeter City on 17 February 2024 to secure a 1–0 win.[21] He won the EFL League One Player of the Month and the EFL Young Player of the Month for March 2024, following 6 goals and an assist which included his first professional hat-trick in the 5–0 win over Bristol Rovers.[22][23][24] He would win Lincoln City's Golden Boot, after scoring 10 goals in his 19 games for the club.[25]
Huddersfield Town
On 10 January 2025, Taylor signed for League One club Huddersfield Town on a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.[26] He scored on his debut in a draw away to Blackpool on 17 January 2025.
On 15 January 2026, Taylor signed for fellow League One club Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the season.[27] He scored his first goal in a draw away to Doncaster on 24 January 2026.
International career
In September 2022 Taylor made his debut for the Wales national under-21 football team in the starting line-up for the 2–0 friendly match defeat against Austria under-21.[28][29]
Career statistics
- As of match played 21 February 2026
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| King's Lynn Town | 2021–22[30] | National League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Wroxham (loan) | 2021–22 | Eastern Counties Premier Division | 11 | 20 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[a] | 1 | 13 | 21 | |
| Peterborough United | 2021–22[30] | Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022–23[31] | League One | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4[b] | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| Total | 24 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 33 | 22 | ||
| Luton Town | 2022–23[31] | Championship | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2023–24[32] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024–25[33] | Championship | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| Total | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | ||
| Colchester United (loan) | 2023–24[32] | League Two | 25 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 12 |
| Lincoln City (loan) | 2023–24[32] | League One | 19 | 10 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 19 | 10 | ||
| Total | 44 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 22 | |||
| Huddersfield Town | 2024–25[33] | League One | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| 2025–26[34] | League One | 19 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5[b] | 3 | 27 | 7 | |
| Total | 34 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 42 | 9 | ||
| Wigan Athletic (loan) | 2025–26[34] | League One | 10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 7 | ||
| Career total | 129 | 54 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 150 | 60 | ||
- ^ Appearance(s) in FA Vase
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
Honours
Luton Town
Individual
References
- ^ "Football (Sky Sports)". SkySports.
- ^ "J.Taylor". www.theposh.com. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Joe Taylor". huddersfield town f.c. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
- ^ "Former Peterborough United striker on how he has gone from working in a bar 'hating football' to the Premier League". Peterborough Telegraph. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ "Joe Taylor signs contract". www.kltown.co.uk. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "No change as Yachtsmen win away". www.wroxhamfc.club. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Taylor Makes Seven Heaven As Yachtsmen Show Class". www.wroxhamfc.club. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ Lakey, Chris (11 October 2021). "Hot-shot Joe Taylor on swapping Wroxham for King's Lynn". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "King's Lynn Town 0–1 Solihull Moors". BBC Sport. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Posh Complete Deal For Teenage Front Man". www.theposh.com. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ Swann, Alan (22 December 2021). "Peterborough United teenager closing in on first-team call-up, plus Under-23 and Premier League Cup standings". Peterborough Today. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Joe Taylor Nets Treble For Under-23s". www.theposh.com. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Cherries are frustrated by bottom side". BBC Sport. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Plymouth 0-2 Peterborough". BBC. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "Joe Taylor joins from Peterborough United on a permanent transfer". www.lutontown.co.uk. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Hanson, Charlie. "Play-off final report | Coventry City 1-1 Luton Town (5-6 on penalties) - Luton Town FC". www.lutontown.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ "Colchester sign Luton forward Taylor on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ "Luton Recall Taylor". Colchester United FC. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
- ^ "City strengthen forward options". Lincoln City FC. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "Wycombe Wanderers 1 Imps 1". Lincoln City FC. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- ^ "Taylor looking up the league". Lincoln City FC. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Sky Bet League One Manager & Player of the Month: March winners". EFL. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Lincoln City's Joe Taylor wins the EFL's Young Player of the Month". EFL. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Lincoln City 5-0 Bristol Rovers". BBC. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "City celebrate at End of Season Awards". Lincoln City FC. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "TRANSFER: JOE TAYLOR JOINS TOWN!". www.htafc.com. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ "Wigan Athletic sign Huddersfield Town striker Joe Taylor on loan". BBC Sport. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ James Wales under 21 call up
- ^ Taylor Wales under-21 debut
- ^ a b "Games played by Joe Taylor in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Games played by Joe Taylor in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Joe Taylor in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Games played by Joe Taylor in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Games played by Joe Taylor in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
- ^ "Luton win shootout to reach Premier League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2023.