George Hirst (footballer)

**George David Eric Hirst** (born 15 February 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Leicester City. He is the son of former footballer David Hirst.

## Club career

### Sheffield Wednesday

After coming through the academy, Hirst signed his first professional contract for Sheffield Wednesday in March 2016.

He made his first team debut against Cambridge United on 9 August 2016, in the EFL Cup in a 2–1 defeat. His league debut came on 10 December 2016 against Reading in a 2–1 defeat. In April 2018, Hirst was linked with a move to Manchester United after rejecting a long-term contract at Sheffield Wednesday.

### OH Leuven

In June 2018, Hirst was signed by a second division Belgian team, Oud-Heverlee Leuven, led by former Sheffield Wednesday player Nigel Pearson.

### Leicester City

After just one season at OH Leuven, Hirst joined Leicester City in the summer of 2019.  On 19 July 2020 Hirst made his debut for Leicester, coming on in the 83rd minute in a 3–0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

#### Rotherham United (loan)

On 16 September 2020, Hirst joined Rotherham United on a season-long loan deal.

## International career

Hirst made his debut for the England Under-17 national team during the Algarve Cup in February 2016 – in his second game for the team he scored twice against Germany in a 2–2 draw. He was subsequently called up to the squad for the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Azerbaijan. In the group stage Hirst scored against Denmark and started the Quarter-final defeat against Spain.

On 23 August 2016, Hirst was called up to the England U18's for the first time. In summer 2017, Hirst represented England Under 20s at the 2017 Toulon Tournament, scoring a hat-trick in a game against Cuba to take his 2016–17 tally to 40 goals in all competitions. Hirst started in the final against the Ivory Coast which England won on penalties and was subsequently named in the team of the tournament.

On 1 September 2017, Hirst scored his second hat-trick of the Summer in a victory against Poland, for England Under-19. In July 2018, Hirst was included in the squad for the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

In May 2019, Hirst was included in the England U20 squad for the 2019 Toulon Tournament.

## Honours

**England U20**

* 2017 Toulon Tournament: 2017

**Individual**

* Toulon Tournament Team of the Tournament: 2017

## References

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1. ↑ George Hirst pens first Owls professional contract. *www.swfc.co.uk* (30 March 2016).
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 George Hirst. *SoccerBase* (17 June 2018).
3. ↑ Manchester United targeting George Hirst, suggests Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay. Sky Sports (9 April 2018).
4. ↑ Leicester City target George Hirst signs for sister club OH Leuven. Leicester Mercury (23 June 2018).
5. ↑ Leicester City Sign Trio Of Youth Internationals. Leicester Mercury (5 July 2019).
6. ↑ SIGNING | Millers land long-term target on loan. Rotherham United F.C. (16 September 2020).
7. ↑ Hayes Saves Penalty and Dozzell Skippers as England U17s Draw With Germany – Ipswich Town News.
8. ↑ England Under-17s squad named for Euro Championship. The Football Association (4 May 2016).
9. ↑ England U17s into Euro quarter finals after win over Denmark. The Football Association (12 May 2016).
10. ↑ England Under-17s miss out on semi-final after loss to Spain. The Football Association (15 May 2016).
11. ↑ Hirst called up for England Under-18s. www.swfc.co.uk (23 August 2016).
12. ↑ Hat-trick for George Hirst as U20s book Toulon Tournament semi-final spot. The Football Association (1 June 2017).
13. ↑ Spot on Young Lions hold their nerve to retain Toulon Tournament title. The Football Association (10 June 2017).
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Hirst named in Team of the Tournament. www.swfc.co.uk (12 June 2017).
15. ↑ George Hirst hits hat-trick in England Under-19s thumping 7–1 victory over Poland. Sheffield Star (1 September 2017).
16. ↑ England U19 boss Paul Simpson has named his squad for 2018 Euro Finals in Finland. The Football Association (16 July 2018).
17. ↑ ENGLAND MU20S SQUAD NAMED BY PAUL SIMPSON FOR MAURICE REVELLO TOURNAMENT IN FRANCE.
18. ↑ Template:Soccerway
19. ↑ Toulon Tournament: England 1–1 Ivory Coast (5–3 penalties). BBC Sport (10 June 2017).
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## External links

* England profile at The FA
* Template:Soccerbase

Template:Leicester City F.C. squad