Jay Bird (footballer)

Jay Gregory Maison Bird (born 6 May 2001)^[1] is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two club Salford City.

Jay Bird

Personal information
Full name	Jay Gregory Maison Bird
Date of birth	(2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 24)[1]
Place of birth	Milton Keynes, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[2]
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Salford City
Number	11
Youth career
2008–2019	Milton Keynes Dons
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2022	Milton Keynes Dons	2	(0)
2019	→ Hitchin Town (loan)	11	(1)
2019	→ Hitchin Town (loan)	2	(0)
2021–2022	→ Wealdstone (loan)	8	(0)
2022–2023	Dagenham and Redbridge	13	(2)
2023–2024	Arbroath	33	(6)
2024–2025	Exeter City	14	(0)
2025	→ Rochdale (loan)	9	(4)
2025–	Salford City	0	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:24, 26 June 2025 (UTC)

Club career

Milton Keynes Dons

Born in Milton Keynes, Bird joined the academy of Milton Keynes Dons at the age of eight,^[3] and progressed through several age groups before signing professional terms with the club on 25 June 2019.^[3] In August 2019 he joined Southern Premier Central club Hitchin Town on loan for the 2019–20 campaign,^[4] but after only two matches a serious injury resulted in Bird being ruled out for the rest of the season.^[5]

On 6 October 2020, Bird made his first team professional debut for the club, scoring twice in a 3–2 EFL Trophy group stage away victory over Stevenage.^[6] The following 2021–22 season saw limited first team opportunities for Bird, with the player spending the first half of the season out on loan to National League club Wealdstone.^[7] At the end of the season Bird was one of six players released by MK Dons.^[8]

Dagenham & Redbridge

On 19 November 2022, Bird signed for National League club Dagenham & Redbridge on a non-contract basis.^[9] Bird made his debut that same day off the bench, scoring a late winner as his new side defeated Scunthorpe United.^[10]

Arbroath

Bird signed a one-year contract with Arbroath in July 2023.^[11] He departed the club at the end of his contract.

Exeter City

On 2 July 2024, Bird signed a one-year contract with EFL League One club Exeter City, with the option of a further year.^[12]

On 25 February 2025, Bird joined National League side Rochdale on loan for the remainder of the season.^[13]

Salford City

On 26 June 2025, Bird signed for League Two side Salford City on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.^[14]

Career statistics

As of end of 2024–25 season

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup[a]		League Cup[b]		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Milton Keynes Dons	2017–18[2]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2018–19[2]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2019–20[15]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2020–21[16]	League One	2	0	1	0	0	0	1[c]	2	4	2
	2021–22[17]	League One	0	0	—		0	0	2[c]	1	2	1
	Total		2	0	1	0	0	0	3	3	6	3
Hitchin Town (loan)	2018–19[18]	SL Premier Division Central	11	1	—		—		1[d]	0	12	1
	2019–20[19]	SL Premier Division Central	2	0	—		—		—		2	0
	Total		13	1	—		—		1	0	14	1
Wealdstone (loan)	2021–22[20]	National League	8	0	1	1	—		1[e]	0	10	1
Dagenham & Redbridge	2022–23[20]	National League	13	2	1	0	—		1[e]	0	15	2
Arbroath	2023–24[20]	Scottish Championship	33	6	1	0	4	2	2[f]	2	40	10
Exeter City	2024–25[21]	League One	14	0	3	1	0	0	3[c]	1	20	2
Rochdale (loan)	2024–25[21]	National League	9	4	0	0	—		2[g]	2	11	6
Career total			92	13	7	2	4	2	13	8	116	25

1. Includes FA Cup
2. Includes Scottish League Cup
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy.
4. Appearance(s) in Hertfordshire Charity Cup
5. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
6. Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup
7. One appearance and one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance and one goal in National League play-offs