Introduction
Bailey Colin Wright (born 28 July 1992) is an Australian professional footballer currently playing for English Football League Championship side Bristol City.
He was selected for Australia's 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Club career
Wright spent his formative years at Langwarrin, before playing a season each with Mornington and Dandenong Thunder. He was identified as a promising talent, eventually earning selection for the Victorian state team in 2007. He honed his skills further with the Victorian Institute of Sport, before moving overseas in July 2009, signing a two-year scholarship with Preston North End after a protracted clearance saga.
Preston North End
In his first season with Preston North End, Wright played predominantly as a centre-half for the Reserves and Under 18s teams, but was eventually called up to the senior squad in April, sitting on the bench for the club’s fixture away to Coventry City. He commenced the 2010–11 season with his debut senior appearance in the first round of the League Cup, playing the full 90 minutes in the Lilywhites' 5–0 win against Stockport County. On 13 December 2010, Wright was handed a two and a half year professional contract.
Wright made his league debut for Preston on 5 March 2011 against Norwich City. He scored his first professional goal for Preston on 7 April 2012 against MK Dons.
Wright was voted Young player of the year of Preston North End for the season 2012/13. On 1 May 2013 he was handed a new two-year contract, with the option of staying at Preston North End for another year.
Wright won promotion via the Play-Offs with Preston in 2015, defeating Swindon Town 4-0 at Wembley on 24 May 2015.
Bristol City
On 6 January 2017 It Was Announced That Wright joined Bristol City for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-and-a-half year contract. On 7 January 2017 he made his debut in the FA Cup Third Round Tie against Fleetwood Town.
International career
Wright was a member of the Australia under-17 squad that reached the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship, narrowly missing a place at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup when they lost 2–3 against United Arab Emirates.
He was also selected as part of Ange Postecoglou's 23 man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, one of two new inclusions.
Wright made his national debut starting in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia at Craven Cottage in London. He scored a header in this debut giving Australia a two-goal lead.
Career statistics
Club statistics
- As of 20 September 2016
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Preston North End | 2010–11 | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | League One | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2012–13 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 2 | ||
| 2013–14 | 45 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 4 | ||
| 2014–15 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | Championship | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Career Total | 171 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 190 | 8 | ||
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8 September 2014 | Craven Cottage, London, England |  Saudi Arabia | 3–1 | 3–2 | Friendly |
Honours
Club
Preston North End
- Football League One play-offs: 2015