Braiden Graham

Braiden David Jay Graham is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as forward for Premier League side Everton. He is a Northern Ireland youth international.

Club career

Linfield

From Darragh Cross, at the age of 15 years-old Graham was the leading scorer for the Linfield U18 side.
On 24 March 2023, Graham made his NIFL Premiership league debut for Linfield appearing as substitute in a 5-0 win against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park. At 15 years and 137 days, he became the youngest player in Linfield history by 19 days, breaking the previous record set by Charlie Allen in 2019. He scored his first senior goal in December 2023 aged 16 years-old. Linfield were 2-1 down in injury time against Larne in the Northern Ireland Football League Cup when Graham scored to equalise. In the subsequent penalty shoot-out Graham also scored as his side triumphed.

Everton

On 2 July 2024, Graham signed a scholar contract with Everton to play in their Academy side. In November 2024, he signed his first professional contract, agreeing a three-year deal.

International career

In March 2023, Graham was called up to the Northern Ireland U16 squad. Later that year he was also called up to the Northern Ireland U17 side. In May 2024, he made his debut for the under–18 side, scoring a 4–2 defeat to England U18. The following month, he made his debut for the under–19 side, scoring a 2–2 draw with Slovakia U19.

Style of play

The Northern Ireland record goalscorer David Healy was the manager at Linfield when Graham made his league debut, and Healey praised Graham for his scoring ability, being quoted by BBC Sport as saying "he's 'goals, goals, goals', he prowls in and around and he's a deadly finisher."