Introduction
Joseph Edward Bryan (born 17 September 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL Championship side Fulham. He is also capable as a left-sided midfielder and left-sided wing-back. He has also had loan spells with Bath City and Plymouth Argyle. A product of Bristol City's youth academy, consistently excellent performances on the pitch have led to Bryan being hailed as one of the academy's best success stories.
Club career
Bristol City
Bryan was born and raised in the area of Bristol. He came through his local team's youth levels; signing his first professional contract in 2011, agreeing terms to be a Bristol City player for at least two years.
On 24 November 2011, Bryan joined Conference National side Bath City on a two-month loan deal, effectively lasting until January. He scored in a 3–1 win over A.F.C. Telford United.
He made his professional debut for Bristol on 6 March 2012, in a 3–2 win over Leicester City at Ashton Gate. In March 2013, he joined Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the season. Bryan made his debut for Plymouth the same day against Bradford City and scored his first Football League goal at Chesterfield in April.
He returned to Bristol City at the end of the season having played on the left side of midfield in ten consecutive games for Argyle. Bryan scored his first goal for City in the Bristol derby with Rovers in September, and his first league goal for the club came in November against Crawley Town. In June 2015 he signed a contract extension keeping him at Bristol City until 2019. The 2016–17 campaign saw Joe Bryan become statistically the best left back in the division.
Bryan starred in City's 2017–18 EFL Cup run to the semi finals, scoring the third goal in a 4–1 win against Premier League sideCrystal Palace and then going on to score the first goal in the club's 2–1 win against Manchester United in the 2017–2018 EFL Cup quarter final at Ashton Gate.
Fulham
On 9 August 2018, Bryan signed for newly-promoted Premier League club Fulham for a reported transfer fee reported to be in the region of £6 million. He scored his first goal for Fulham in an EFL Cup tie against Millwall on 25 September 2018.
International career
Bryan was selected by the Scotland national under-21 football team in October 2012, but could not play due to a concussion he received playing for Bristol City against Leeds United.
Personal life
Bryan's father, Alan, is a cardiac surgeon, specializing in aortic surgery.
Career statistics
- As of match played 14 September 2019
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bristol City | 2011–12 | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | Championship | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | League One | 21 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 3 | |
| 2014–15 | League One | 41 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 50 | 7 | |
| 2015–16 | Championship | 39 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 40 | 2 | ||
| 2016–17 | Championship | 44 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 49 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18 | Championship | 43 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | — | 48 | 7 | ||
| 2018–19 | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 203 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 230 | 20 | ||
| Bath City (loan) | 2011–12 | Conference Premier | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||
| Plymouth Argyle (loan) | 2012–13 | League Two | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | |||
| Fulham | 2018–19 | Premier League | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 29 | 1 | |
| 2019–20 | Championship | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 26 | 1 | ||
| Total | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 252 | 18 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 282 | 22 | ||
Honours
Bristol City
- Football League One: 2014–15
- Football League Trophy: 2014–15
Individual
- PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15 League One
- Football League Young Player of the Month: February 2015