Braiden Graham

Braiden David Jay Graham (born 7 November 2007) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as forward for Premier League side Everton. He is a Northern Ireland youth international.

Braiden Graham

Personal information
Full name	Braiden David Jay Graham[1]
Date of birth	(2007-11-07) 7 November 2007 (age 18)
Place of birth	Ballygowan, Northern Ireland
Position	Forward
Team information
Current team	Everton
Youth career
0000–2023	Linfield
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–2024	Linfield	10	(1)
2024–	Everton	0	(0)
International career‡
2023	Northern Ireland U16	1	(1)
2023–2024	Northern Ireland U17	5	(3)
2024–	Northern Ireland U18	1	(1)
2024–	Northern Ireland U19	9	(2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 10:27, 24 June 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 09:55, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

Club career

Linfield

From Darragh Cross,^[2] at the age of 15 years-old Graham was the leading scorer for the Linfield U18 side.^[3]

On 24 March 2023, Graham made his NIFL Premiership league debut for Linfield appearing as substitute in a 5-0 win against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.^[4] At 15 years and 137 days, he became the youngest player in Linfield history by 19 days, breaking the previous record set by Charlie Allen in 2019.^[5][6] He scored his first senior goal in December 2023 aged 16 years-old. Linfield were 2-1 down in injury time against Larne in the Northern Ireland Football League Cup when Graham scored to equalise. In the subsequent penalty shoot-out Graham also scored as his side triumphed.^[7]

Everton

Reports in Northern Ireland suggest that Graham has agreed to join Premier League side Everton in 2024.^[8] On 2 July 2024 Graham signed a scholar contract with Everton to play in their Academy side.^[9] In November 2024, he signed his first professional contract, agreeing a three-year deal.^[10]

International career

In March 2023, Graham was called up to the Northern Ireland U16 squad.^[11] Later that year he was also called up to the Northern Ireland U17 side.^[12] In May 2024, he made his debut for the under–18 side, scoring a 4–2 defeat to England U18.^[13] The following month, he made his debut for the under–19 side, scoring a 2–2 draw with Slovakia U19.^[14]

Style of play

The Northern Ireland record goalscorer David Healy was the manager at Linfield when Graham made his league debut, and Healey praised Graham for his scoring ability, being quoted by BBC Sport as saying "he's 'goals, goals, goals', he prowls in and around and he's a deadly finisher."^[15]