# Ethan Galbraith

Ethan Stuart William Galbraith (born 11 May 2001) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL League One club Leyton Orient and the Northern Ireland national team.
Galbraith left Linfield to join the Manchester United academy in 2017. He made his first-team debut for United in a UEFA Europa League match against Astana in November 2019. He spent the 2021–22 season on loan at Doncaster Rovers. Galbraith represented Northern Ireland at under-17, under-19, under-21 levels. He made his senior international debut at the age of 18, against Luxembourg, in September 2019.

## Club career

Galbraith played for Carnmoney Colts, Ballyclare Comrades, Glentoran, Crusaders and Linfield in his youth. In 2017, he left Linfield and joined the youth academy of English club Manchester United on a one-year scholarship, before signing a two-year professional contract with the club in May 2018. On 28 November 2019, he made his senior debut in a UEFA Europa League match against Kazakh team Astana, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Tahith Chong. In October 2020, Galbraith signed a new three-year contract with United, with the option of an extra year.

### Doncaster Rovers and Salford City loans

He joined League One club Doncaster Rovers on a season-long loan in August 2021. On 26 October, Galbraith scored his first goal for Doncaster, scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Cambridge United with a strike from 30 yards. Manager Richie Wellens praised his performances, predicting that he would go on to have a long and successful career. Galbraith described his spell at Doncaster as a "great experience" despite the team being relegated.
On 1 September 2022, Galbraith joined League Two side Salford City on a season-long loan, managed by former United youth coach Neil Wood. He scored his first goal for the club on 8 October in a 1–0 win against Northampton Town, Salford's first win against their opponents.
On 16 May 2023, Galbraith confirmed that he will leave Manchester United at the end of 2022–23 season.

### Leyton Orient

On 29 June 2023, Galbraith signed for Leyton Orient.

## International career

Galbraith made five appearances for Northern Ireland at under-17 level and three appearances at under-19 level. He has made 19 appearances and scored one goal at under-21 level. Galbraith made his senior international debut at the age of 18 on 5 September 2019, in a friendly match against Luxembourg which finished as a 1–0 win.

## Playing style

Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough described Galbraith as the country's version of Spanish international midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. Neil Wood has described him as technically gifted, and as a player who "can pick a pass and has all the different varieties of delivery".

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 22 April 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Europe | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Manchester United U21 | 2019–20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Manchester United U21 | 2020–21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Manchester United U21 | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Manchester United | 2019–20 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Manchester United | 2020–21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester United | 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester United | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Doncaster Rovers (loan) | 2021–22 | League One | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 36 | 1 |
| Salford City (loan) | 2022–23 | League Two | 32 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | 38 | 4 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 65 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 79 | 6 |
* 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
* ↑ Appearance in the UEFA Europa League

### International

    As of match played 18 November 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Northern Ireland | 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| Northern Ireland | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| Northern Ireland | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 4 | 0 |