Dwight Gayle

Early career

Gayle was born in Walthamstow, London. He started his career in the academy of Arsenal but was released as a teenager. In 2009, he joined Essex Senior League club Stansted, where he went on to score 57 goals in the 2010–11 season.

Dagenham & Redbridge

In the summer of 2011, he signed for League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge. In August 2011, he was sent out to Bishop's Stortford on a season-long loan, during which he scored 29 goals in 42 appearances in the Conference North. He then signed a three-year professional contract with Dagenham & Redbridge in July 2012. He made his professional debut for the Daggers on 18 August 2012, in a 2–0 defeat to Cheltenham Town.

Peterborough United

In November 2012, Gayle joined Peterborough United on loan the club had an option to make the move permanent in January 2013. His Peterborough debut came on 24 November as a 53rd-minute substitute for Saido Berahino in a 1–1 away draw with Ipswich Town. Gayle's first Peterborough goal was on 1 December: he picked up a poor backpass by Blackpool's Alex Baptiste to score what was only a consolation goal in a 4–1 home defeat. Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson said of Gayle: "He listens. He picks up things quickly, which is always a sign of a good player. He's going to be a really good player the boy".

On 24 December, after scoring five goals in six matches during his loan spell, Gayle agreed to sign permanently for Peterborough. He joined on 2 January 2013 on a four-and-a-half-year contract for a fee of £500,000 which could rise to £750,000. On 2 March, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 win against Blackburn Rovers.

Crystal Palace

On 3 July 2013, Gayle signed a four-year contract for newly promoted Premier League club Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee, reported as a club record £4.5 million His former club Dagenham & Redbridge received £1 million of the initial transfer fee plus 20% of any extra payments made due to a sell-on clause added when he signed for Peterborough United. He made his Palace debut playing 90 minutes in a home match against Tottenham Hotspur on 18 August in a 1–0 loss. On 31 August, Gayle scored his first goal for the club and his first in the Premier League by successfully converting a penalty against Sunderland after he was fouled by John O'Shea. On 5 October, he scored in a 3–1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. On 25 December, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 away win against Aston Villa in added time at the end of the match. In part due to injury, he found first team appearance opportunities limited for the remainder of the season. He returned towards the end of the season scoring two goals as Palace came back from 3–0 down to draw 3–3 at home to Liverpool, which effectively ended their chances of the League title. In Palace's final match of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage he scored another two goals, including a direct free-kick. These goals against Fulham ensured he finished his first season at Crystal Palace as the club's top scorer despite struggling to hold down a consistent place in the starting eleven.

On 26 August 2014, Gayle scored his first hat-trick for Crystal Palace, scoring three times in the first half to give Palace a 3–0 win over Walsall in the second round of the League Cup. Four days later, he scored his first goal of the Premier League season in the opening minute of a 3–3 draw at Newcastle United. On 23 November, Gayle scored in the home fixture against Liverpool for the second consecutive season as Palace defeated the Merseyside team 3–1. On 4 January, Gayle scored his first goal of 2015 in a 4–0 win over Dover Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup. He then scored three goals in the team's next two matches; a 2–1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur and a 3–2 defeat of Burnley at Turf Moor. Gayle ended the season as top scorer in all competitions for Crystal Palace, despite, like the season before, struggling to hold down a consistent place in the starting eleven.

On 11 August 2015, Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill confirmed that Crystal Palace had accepted an undisclosed bid for Gayle. On 15 August, the transfer broke down as it was confirmed that Bristol City were no longer interested in signing Gayle. Gayle failed to hold down a regular first-team place, due to a series of injuries throughout the season. On 12 April 2016, Gayle signed a contract with Crystal Palace to keep him at the club until 2019. On 7 May 2016, the penultimate match of the season, Gayle scored two goals in a 2–1 victory over Stoke City to confirm Crystal Palace's safety in the Premier League. For the third season in a row Gayle, despite being unable to hold down a consistent place in the team, finished the season as top scorer in all competitions for Crystal Palace.

Newcastle United

On 1 July 2016, Gayle signed a five-year contract for newly relegated Championship club Newcastle United. He made his debut for the club on 5 August, in a 1–0 defeat to Fulham. He scored his first goal for the club on 13 August, in a 2–1 defeat to Huddersfield Town at St James' Park. After having his spot kick saved, he scored from the rebound with his head. He scored a hat-trick on 28 September, at home to Norwich, coming back from 3–1 down to win 4–3 in stoppage time. Gayle scored braces in consecutive victories against Brentford and Barnsley, bringing his league-leading goal total to eleven, and his club to the top of the table by mid-October. On 20 November, Gayle scored another brace, this time against Leeds United, with the club five points clear. On 10 December, Gayle scored a hat-trick against Birmingham City, with Newcastle returning to the top of the Championship table.

Style of play

He is described as an "energetic, hardworking, pacey striker" and a "natural finisher".

Personal life

Gayle is of Jamaican descent through his father.

Club

Crystal Palace

Newcastle United

Individual

Career statistics