From Edinburgh youth prospect to Serie A regular: the rise of Josh Doig
In short: Born in Edinburgh in 2002, Josh Doig transformed from a centre-back into a dynamic left-back during a loan spell at Queen's Park. His rapid ascent through the Scottish Premiership earned him international recognition and a high-profile move to Italy, where he has navigated the tactical rigors of Serie A.
Josh Doig’s professional journey began in the youth system of Hearts before he moved to Hibernian in 2019. Initially a centre-back, his tactical repositioning to left-back occurred during a 2019–20 loan stint at Queen's Park. This shift proved pivotal, as he quickly established himself as a regular in the Hibernian first team during the 2020–21 season. His breakthrough performance was marked by individual accolades, including the SFWA Young Player of the Year award and a spot in the SPFL Premiership Team of the Season.
Seeking to escape the intense pressure of playing for one of Edinburgh’s major clubs, Doig moved to Italy in July 2022, joining Hellas Verona for a fee exceeding £3 million. He adapted quickly to the Italian game, scoring on his first start and netting a notable volley against Sampdoria in October 2022 that was later recognized as one of the season's best goals. By the 2022–23 season, he had solidified his role, recording two goals and four assists across 22 Serie A appearances.
In January 2024, Doig transferred to Sassuolo for €6 million, plus potential add-ons and a sell-on clause. His time in Italy has been characterized by consistent development, including reaching his 50th Serie A match milestone. Internationally, Doig progressed through Scotland's youth ranks before receiving his first senior call-up in September 2022. He eventually made his full international debut on 9 June 2025, replacing Andy Robertson in a 4–0 victory over Liechtenstein. His career trajectory highlights the growing trend of young Scottish talent seeking development opportunities within the competitive landscape of European football leagues.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Josh Doig
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