Joel Thompson (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joel Peter Thompson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 25 July 2005 | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Ballymena United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2022 | Crusaders | 6 | (0) |
| 2022–2024 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Colchester United | 0 | (0) |
| 2024 | → Aveley (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2025 | Finn Harps | 13 | (0) |
| 2025– | Ballymena United | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| Northern Ireland U17 | |||
| Northern Ireland U19 | |||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:26, 28 May 2025 (UTC) | |||
Joel Peter Thompson (born 25 July 2005) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for Ballymena United as a midfielder.
Club career
Thompson began his career with Crusaders, making his debut in May 2021,[2] at the age of 15.[3] After 6 NIFL Premiership appearances for the club,[2] he signed for Nottingham Forest in July 2022.[4][5][6] He suffered a broken leg whilst with the club.[7]
After being released by Forest in September 2024,[2][8] Thompson signed for Colchester United later that month.[9][10]
In November 2024, Thompson joined National League South side Aveley on loan.[11]
In February 2025 he signed for Finn Harps.[12]
In July 2025 he signed for Ballymena United.[13]
International career
Thompson is a Northern Ireland under-17,[14] and under-19 international.[3][15]
Career statistics
- As of 28 May 2025
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Crusaders | 2020–21[1] | NIFL Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021–22[1] | NIFL Premiership | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Career total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Nottingham Forest | 2022–23[16] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023–24[17] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Colchester United | 2024–25[18] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aveley | 2024–25[1] | National League South | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Finn Harps | 2025[1] | League of Ireland First Division | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Career total | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
References
- ^ a b c d e Joel Thompson at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "'We have thoroughly enjoyed having him with us since moving across from Northern Ireland.'". Belfast News Letter. 1 September 2024.
- ^ a b "'The experience they have is scary...to be able to train with the likes of them set me up for coming over.'". Belfast News Letter. 7 June 2024.
- ^ Fullerton, Darren (4 July 2022). "Nottingham Forest snap up Crusaders teenager Joel Thompson". Belfast Live.
- ^ "Northern Ireland teen Joel Thompson: 'I'm living my dream after leaving Crusaders for Nottingham Forest'". 9 July 2022 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- ^ Pawley, Luke (6 July 2022). "Nottingham Forest beat Premier League rivals to 'snap up' wonderkid Thompson". Nottinghamshire Live.
- ^ "Injury hell has made me stronger, says Northern Ireland U19s' Joel Thompson". 6 June 2024 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Forest cut loose Thompson - TribalFootball.com". www.tribalfootball.com.
- ^ "Joel Thompson: Ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder joins Colchester United". BBC Sport. 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Colchester United sign Nottingham Forest midfielder on short-term deal". Gazette. 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Joel Thompson Joins On Loan". Aveley F.C. 23 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ Lee, Ethan (12 February 2025). "Harps Sign Joel Thompson from Colchester United - Finn Harps FC Official Website". finnharps.ie.
- ^ "Jim Ervin: 'We were even more happy after sitting down with him and hearing what he wants to do'". Belfast News Letter. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ "Northern Ireland U17s defeat Wales U17s at St George's Park". IFA. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- ^ Crawford, Steven (7 July 2024). "Northern Ireland's Joel Thompson sends out defiant message". Belfast Live.
- ^ "Games played by Joel Thompson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Joel Thompson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Joel Thompson in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.