Introduction
Jake Alexander Hesketh (born 27 March 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Southampton.
Club career
Southampton
Hesketh was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, but his family moved to Whiteley, near Fareham, Hampshire when he was six months old.
Hesketh joined Southampton's academy as an under-nine after being scouted at a local tournament playing for Crofton Saints Football Club. He studied at Whiteley Primary School before moving onto Swanmore College. He completed a two-year scholarship with the club and after finishing as the Under-18 team's top scorer was awarded the 2013–14 Scholar of the Season accolade at the Southampton club awards ceremony. The same day Hesketh signed a three-year professional contract to keep him at the club until 2017.
He was promoted into the first team by coach Ronald Koeman due to injury problems among the squad. He made his debut for the club on 8 December 2014 in a Premier League match against Manchester United, being brought in as a substitute for Dušan Tadić in the 70th minute of the 2–1 home defeat. Five days later Hesketh made his firstPremier League start as Southampton lost 1–0 away to Burnley.
Hesketh made 22 appearances for Martin Hunter's Under-21s in 2014–15, scoring two goals andlifting the 2015 U21 Premier League Cup.
He scored his first senior goal on 22 September 2016, in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup.
Burton Albion (loan)
On 30 August 2018, Hesketh signed for Burton Albionon a loan deal until 2 January 2019. He scored his first league goal in a 2–2 draw at Portsmouth on 23 October 2018.
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
On 31 January 2019, Hesketh joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.
Lincoln City (loan)
On 2 September 2019, he joined League One club Lincoln City on loan for the remainder of the 2019–20 season.
Career statistics
- As of 26 March 2020
| Season | Club | Division | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Southampton | 2014–15 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Southampton U23 | 2016–17 | N/A | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18 | N/A | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Burton Albion (loan) | 2018–19 | League One | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 3 |
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 2018–19 | League Two | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 | 2 | |
| Lincoln City (loan) | 2019–20 | League One | 20 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Career total | 54 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 69 | 9 | ||
Honours
Club
Southampton
- U21 Premier League Cup: 2014–15
Milton Keynes Dons
- EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2018–19