Jamie Murphy (footballer, born 1989)

Motherwell

Murphy played as a junior for Westwood Rovers, Drumchapel Thistle and Clyde before joining Motherwell's under-13 team. After progressing through the ranks at Motherwell, Murphy made his first-team début during the 2006–07 season, and scored his first Motherwell goal from the penalty spot in a 2–0 away win over Hibernian in May 2008.

With Motherwell having qualified for European competition, in July 2008 Murphy scored a hat-trick against Albanian side Flamurtari in the UEFA Europa League. After remaining a regular in Motherwell's first team, Murphy agreed an extended contract in May 2010 tying him to the club until the summer of 2013. After scoring in the first leg of Motherwell's 2010–11 Europa League third-round match against Aalesunds FK on 29 July 2010, he became Motherwell's leading goalscorer in European football, breaking the record previously held by Steve Kirk.

In January 2012, Motherwell accepted an offer from Sheffield Wednesday to sign Murphy, but he rejected the proposed transfer. In late December 2012, Sheffield United showed an interest in signing him, and Murphy was subsequently subject to a £100,000 bid from the Blades. However, by 27 December it was reported that the Blades bid had been rejected by Motherwell with Murphy dismissing transfer speculation. Despite this, a few days later Motherwell boss Stuart McCall confirmed that Murphy has been talking to Sheffield United with a view to a transfer, and that Motherwell had accepted a bid of £100,000 which could rise to £250,000. Murphy played his last game for Motherwell on 2 January 2013, having been made captain for the occasion, in a 1–0 loss to Celtic at Celtic Park. He departed from Fir Park having scored 50 goals in 215 appearances for Motherwell. Shortly after his departure Murphy was awarded the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Player of the Month award for December.

Sheffield United

Despite interest from Huddersfield Town and Rangers, Murphy's move to Sheffield United was finalised on 3 January 2013, when he signed a three and a half year contract for an undisclosed fee. Murphy made his Blades debut two days later, in a 3–0 third round FA Cup victory against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium, Before making his league debut for United against Yeovil Town at Bramall Lane a week later, and Murphy's first goal for the Blades came in a 2–0 away victory against Bury the following February. Murphy's first few months with United were hampered by a hamstring injury, and finished the season having played 21 games and scoring two goals.

Murphy's inability to hold down a regular first team place led to him being linked with a move away from United during the summer of 2013, but he remained in Sheffield and pledged to fulfill his potential the following season. Despite these claims, Murphy found himself out of favour with new manager David Weir, and initially fared no better when Weir was quickly replaced by Nigel Clough, remaining a peripheral figure. It was not until December 2013 that Murphy's form improved and he began to consolidate a first team place, citing his improved fitness as the key to his change in fortunes. On 31 January 2015, Murphy signed a new contract with United keeping him at Bramall Lane until summer 2017. Later that day, Murphy came off the bench in the second half and scored a brace against promotion rivals Swindon Town to give United a 2–0 home victory.

Brighton & Hove Albion

In August 2015, Murphy signed a four-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.

International career

Murphy was a regular for both the Scotland under-19 team and the Scotland under-21 team. He scored five goals for the under-21 side as the team reached the play-offs of the European under-21 Championships.

Murphy received his first call-up to the Scotland squad on 10 March 2016, for their friendlies against Czech Republic and Denmark on 24 and 29 March.

Career statistics