# Tom Cannon (footballer)

Thomas Christopher Cannon (born 28 December 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL Championship club Sheffield United. Born in England, he represents the Republic of Ireland national team.

## Club career
### Everton

Cannon was born in Aintree and attended Maricourt High School in Maghull. Cannon is a youth product of Everton, having signed with the club at the age of 10. He signed his first professional contract in March 2021, penning a two-year contract until June 2023. He signed a contract extension in August 2022 which would take him to June 2025. He made his senior debut with Everton as a late substitute in a 4–1 EFL Cup loss to AFC Bournemouth on 8 November 2022. Cannon went on to make his Premier League debut as a 74th-minute substitute in Everton's 3–0 away loss to Bournemouth on 12 November 2022.

#### Loan to Preston North End

On 10 January 2023, Cannon joined Championship club Preston North End on loan until the end of the season. He made his Championship debut four days later, starting in a 4–0 loss against Norwich City. On 25 February, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Wigan Athletic. Cannon scored both goals in a 2–0 win against Queens Park Rangers on 7 April 2023. Cannon scored eight goals in 21 appearances for North End as they ended 2022–23 in 12th position.

### Leicester City

On 1 September 2023, Cannon joined Championship club Leicester City on a five-year contract. It was later revealed that a stress fracture in his back had been discovered during his medical. He made his debut for Leicester on 9 December 2023, as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle. On 1 January 2024, he scored his first and second goal for the club, netting twice in a 4–1 home win over Huddersfield Town. He also scored the following week in the FA Cup against Millwall.

#### Loan to Stoke City

Cannon joined Stoke City on loan for the 2024–25 season on 30 August 2024. On the 2 October 2024, Cannon scored four goals in a 6–1 win against Portsmouth and in doing so, was the first player to score four goals for Stoke since Peter Thorne in March 2000. After scoring 11 goals in 25 appearances for Stoke, he was recalled by Leicester City on 15 January 2025.

### Sheffield United

On 23 January 2025, Cannon signed for Championship club Sheffield United for an undisclosed transfer fee that was reported to be worth up to £10 million.

## International career

Cannon received his first call up for the Republic of Ireland Under 19s squad in October 2019 and played in three Under 19 European Championship qualifier matches against Switzerland, Gibraltar and Denmark, scoring his first international goal against Gibraltar. Cannon was next called up to an Under 20s squad in March 2022 and played in a friendly match against an Ireland Amateurs side. His first call up for the Republic of Ireland U21 team came in March 2023, for a friendly against Iceland U21. In May 2023, Cannon was called into a training camp with the Republic of Ireland senior national team by manager Stephen Kenny. The FA have approached Cannon to try and convince him to play for England internationally rather than the Republic of Ireland.
On 28 May 2024, Cannon received his first official call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior national team for two friendly matches against Hungary and Portugal, making his debut appearance as a substitute against Portugal.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 11 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Everton U21 | 2021–22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Everton U21 | 2022–23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Everton U21 | Total | Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Everton | 2022–23 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Everton | 2023–24 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Everton | Total | Total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Preston North End (loan) | 2022–23 | Championship | 20 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 8 |
| Leicester City | 2023–24 | Championship | 13 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 3 |
| Leicester City | 2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Leicester City | Total | Total | 13 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 3 |
| Stoke City (loan) | 2024–25 | Championship | 22 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 25 | 11 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 58 | 19 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 73 | 27 |
* 1 2 Appearances in EFL Trophy

### International

    As of match played 14 November 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Republic of Ireland |
| Republic of Ireland | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 2 | 0 |

## Honours

Leicester City
* EFL Championship: 2023–24