From England youth star to Scotland international: the rise of George Hirst
In short: Born into a footballing family, George Hirst has navigated a complex career path. After representing England at multiple youth levels, he eventually made the pivotal decision to declare for Scotland, eventually helping Ipswich Town secure a historic promotion to the Premier League.
George David Eric Hirst, born on 15 February 1999, entered professional football through the Sheffield Wednesday academy. The son of former Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst, his early career was marked by significant potential. In 2016, he achieved a remarkable tally of 40 goals across all competitions, a feat bolstered by standout performances for England's youth squads, including a hat-trick against Cuba during the 2017 Toulon Tournament.
His journey has been defined by movement and resilience. After a stint in Belgium with Oud-Heverlee Leuven in 2018, Hirst moved to Leicester City in 2019. He experienced the highs of promotion with Ipswich Town, where he scored on the opening day of the 2023–24 Championship season. However, his momentum was interrupted on 26 December 2023, when a significant hamstring injury sustained against his former club, Leicester City, sidelined him for much of the season.
Despite this setback, Hirst returned to play a role in Ipswich's promotion to the Premier League, starting in their final victory over Huddersfield Town. His international career took a definitive turn on 11 March 2025, when he declared for Scotland via a FIFA-approved change of association. Since then, he has represented the Scotland national team, scoring his first international goal against Liechtenstein on 9 June 2025, and has been selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
Currently playing for Stoke City after joining on 20 August 2026, Hirst's career illustrates the intricate nature of modern footballing identities and the persistence required to navigate injuries and international eligibility shifts.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: George Hirst (footballer)
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