Wikipedia

Sam Byram

Samuel Mark Byram (born 16 September 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back for EFL Championship club Leeds United. He has also played for West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Norwich City.

Sam Byram
Byram with Leeds United in 2014
Personal information
Full name Samuel Mark Byram[1]
Date of birth (1993-09-16) 16 September 1993 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Thurrock, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Position(s) Right back, left back
Team information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 25
Youth career
2005–2012 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Leeds United 130 (9)
2016–2019 West Ham United 27 (0)
2018–2019 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 6 (0)
2019–2023 Norwich City 47 (1)
2023– Leeds United 49 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:58, 14 December 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Byram was born in Thurrock, Essex,[2] before moving north, where he attended Ralph Butterfield Primary School, Haxby, and then Joseph Rowntree School in York. He played for the City Schools team as a boy before joining Leeds United.[4] After completing his secondary education at school, he signed scholar forms with the West Yorkshire club in 2010. During his first year as scholar, he played 'down' a year in the under-16 team to help his development as a footballer.[5]

He later progressed to his age group in the under-18s where he would become a regular in the team during his second year in 2011–12. As an integral part of the team, he scored several goals over the course of the season as the under-18s finished as runners-up to Newcastle United in their divisional academy league.[6] Following the end of the season in May 2012, he was one of five young players rewarded with their first professional contracts for their performances in the campaign.[7]

Leeds United

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2012–13 season

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Byram playing for Leeds United in 2012

In the first friendly match of Leeds United's 2012–13 pre-season against Farsley Celtic, Byram was one of a number of youngsters given an opportunity to impress manager Neil Warnock when he lined up for the second half at Throstle Nest.[8] United recorded a convincing 5–2 victory over their city rivals.[8] Nevertheless, he would travel with the first-team on their pre season tour of the South West of England the following week, featuring in the games against Tavistock, Bodmin Town and Torquay United.[9][10][11] Byram remained as part of the first-team in pre-season after returning to the North; playing for an hour and scoring in the game away to Preston North End.[12]

After impressing in pre-season, Byram was handed the number 25 shirt for the season ahead and he made his first team debut at Elland Road in a 4–0 victory over Shrewsbury Town on 11 August in the League Cup.[13] Byram retained his place in the first-team the following week in United's first league game of the campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was part of a defence that kept a clean-sheet in a 1–0 victory over one of the early favourites for promotion and his performance out-wide against the England international Matt Jarvis won praise from several observers.[14] He signed a new three-year contract with the West Yorkshire club two days after his league debut and only three months after signing his first professional contract with the club.[15]

Byram scored his first professional goal on 28 August in the 3–0 League Cup second-round victory over Oxford United. Picking up the ball just outside the penalty area, he beat two Oxford defenders with his first and second touches before chipping the goalkeeper from inside the box in the 34th minute to give his team a 2–0 lead.[16] An impressed Neil Warnock told reporters after the game that "Sam will probably never score another goal like that in his career".[17] This goal was later voted as Leeds' Goal of the Year for 2012.[18] Byram remained a permanent feature in the first-team squad during the early months of the season with United legend Eddie Gray tipping him to win a call-up to England Under-21 squad in the near future if he maintained his form.[19] His former manager in the under-18s, Neil Redfearn, stated that Byram's rise through the ranks at the club served as a good example for other promising youngsters including his former teammates in the academy side, Ross Killock, Dominic Poleon and Simon Lenighan.[20] On 2 October, he scored his first league goal for Leeds in a 2–2 draw away to Bolton Wanderers, heading in a cross from El Hadji Diouf.[21][22] An away match at Leicester City on 5 March saw young Byram score his third goal for Leeds in a 1–1 draw.

After his impressive form for Leeds linked him with Premier League interest,[23] Byram signed a new contract with Leeds on 26 January 2013, to extend his stay at the club until 2016.[24] He scored his second league goal for the club on 6 March, in a 1–1 draw away at Leicester City,[25] and followed this up with the equaliser in another 1–1 draw, at home to Peterborough United.

On 26 April 2013, Byram won the Yorkshire Evening Post Player of the Season award with 99% of the vote.[26] After being linked with an £8 million move to Manchester City in the summer, Byram proclaimed that he wanted to stay at Leeds to try earn promotion.[27]

At the club's annual end of season awards on 27 April, Byram won the Player of the Year Award, Young Player of the Year Award, Players Player of the Year Award and also the Supporters Club Player of the Year Award.[28]

On 30 July 2013, Bryam was named in Sky Sports Football League Players to watch out for in the Football League.[29]

2013–14 season

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The hip injury sustained at the end of the 2012–13 season ruled Byram out of the England under-20's World Cup. Bryam's injury caused him to miss the entire 2013–14 pre-season friendlies for Leeds. After missing the start of the 2013–14 season, on 6 August Leeds manager Brian McDermott announced that Byram had an injection in his hip and the injury may require surgery which could potentially rule him out for several months.[30]

Byram made his first-team return on 21 September 2013, playing 57 minutes in Leeds' 2–1 defeat against Burnley. He also played Leeds' next game, a League Cup defeat to Newcastle United, playing the full 90 minutes.[31] Byram played just 27 games during an injury hit season.

2014–15 season

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On 1 August, Byram was assigned the Leeds number 2 shirt for the 2014–15 season.[32] On 9 August, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman confirmed that Leeds had rejected a bid of £4.5 million to sign Byram.[33] Byram was given a straight red card on 23 August against Watford for an off the ball incident with Watford defender Daniel Pudil.[34]

Byram scored his fourth goal for Leeds in a 2–1 win against Huddersfield Town on 31 January. In 2015, head coach Neil Redfearn changed Leeds' formation to a 4–2–3–1 with Byram moved forward into an attacking right wing position, with Scott Wootton played as the regular right back. Byram scored the second goal in a 2–0 away win over Reading on 10 February.[35] On 18 March 2015, Byram scored for Leeds United against Fulham in a 3–0 away victory.[36]

On 9 April, after rumoured Premier League interest in Byram and teammates Lewis Cook, Charlie Taylor and Alex Mowatt, head coach Neil Redfearn challenged Leeds United's owners to keep a hold of their homegrown talents.[37]

On 2 May 2015, Byram was one of five players nominated for the Fans Player of the Year Award at Leeds United's official end of 2014–15 season awards ceremony, but lost out to eventual winner Alex Mowatt. Byram was also nominated for Young Player of the Year Award, but missed out on the Young Player of the Year award to Lewis Cook.[38]

2015–16 season

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Byram with West Ham United, January 2016

Byram started the pre-season for Leeds playing as a right forward in new manager Uwe Rösler's 4–3–3 formation.[citation needed] On 31 July 2015, Rösler revealed that despite speculation linking Byram to Premier League clubs, that he was not looking to sell the player and that he was an important player for the club.[39] On 12 August 2015, Byram missed a penalty in a penalty shootout against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup, with Leeds losing 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[40]

On 22 September 2015, Byram was criticised by Leeds owner Massimo Cellino who revealed he was "deeply offended" and "hurt" that Byram had not signed a new contract with the club.[41] The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that the contract offer from Cellino to Byram was actually a reduction on his existing wage on a long-term deal.[42] On 5 December 2015, Bryam turned down a further contract offer, with the offer being just a one-year extension, however parity of his current wage.[43]

On 17 December 2015, Byram scored a brace in the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers to seal Leeds' 3–2 win.[44] On 27 December, Byram scored in the match against Nottingham Forest to end the match at 1–1.[45]

On 5 January 2016, Byram was named Championship Player of the Month for December 2015 after scoring three goals and making assists throughout the month.[46] After being subject to enquiries from Premier League clubs, on 7 January 2016 Leeds manager Steve Evans revealed that he wanted to keep Byram at the club but that club owner Massimo Cellino had advised the enquiries had not been concrete enough for a move to happen.[47] Byram left Leeds in January 2016. He had played 143 games in all competitions for them, scoring 10 goals.[48]

West Ham United

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2015–16 season

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Byram signed for Premier League club West Ham United on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 20 January 2016.[49] He made his West Ham debut as a 13th-minute substitute for the injured Carl Jenkinson on 23 January in a 2–2 draw against Manchester City. In his post-match interview, manager Slaven Bilić revealed that Byram had not been in the matchday squad but was a late inclusion following an injury to James Tomkins.[50]

2016–17 season

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On 29 July 2016, Byram made his first start and appearance of the season in a 2–1 defeat against Slovenian Domžale in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie.[51]

Nottingham Forest loan

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On 10 August 2018, Byram joined Nottingham Forest on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.[52] He made his debut for Forest on 14 August in the first round of the 2018–19 EFL Cup against Bury. The game finished 1–1 after 90 minutes with Forest going through to the second round 10–9 on penalties, one of which Byram scored for Forest.[53]

Norwich City

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On 16 July 2019, Byram joined Norwich City on a four-year deal for a reported £750,000.[54] On 17 September 2022, Byram scored his first goal for Norwich when a shot from Teemu Pukki deflected off him and into the goal.[55]

On 5 May 2023, Norwich announced that Byram would leave the club at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract.[56]

Following Byram's release he made three pre-season appearances for former club Leeds United ahead of the 2023–24 season.[57][58]

Return to Leeds United

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On 5 August 2023, Byram re-joined Leeds United, signing a contract until the summer of 2024.[59]

Byram scored his first goal since returning to Leeds on 23 September 2023, a header in Leeds' 3–0 win over Watford.[60]

In June 2024 Byram's contract at Leeds was extended for a further year.[61]

International career

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On 17 May 2013, Byram was called up to the England under-20 team by Peter Taylor for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.[62] On 11 June, however, he withdrew as a precaution due to a hip injury sustained towards the end of the 2012–13 season.[63]

Career statistics

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As of match played 27 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leeds United 2012–13[64] Championship 44 3 4 0 5 1 — 53 4
2013–14[65] Championship 25 0 1 0 1 0 — 27 0
2014–15[66] Championship 39 3 0 0 0 0 — 39 3
2015–16[67] Championship 22 3 1 0 1 0 — 24 3
Total 130 9 6 0 7 1 — 143 10
West Ham United 2015–16[67] Premier League 4 0 — — — 4 0
2016–17[68] Premier League 18 0 0 0 0 0 4[a] 0 22 0
2017–18[69] Premier League 5 0 2 0 3 0 — 10 0
Total 27 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 36 0
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2018–19[70] Championship 6 0 0 0 2 0 — 8 0
Norwich City 2019–20[71] Premier League 17 0 2 0 1 0 — 20 0
2020–21[72] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2021–22[73] Premier League 15 0 3 0 0 0 — 18 0
2022–23[74] Championship 15 1 0 0 1 0 — 16 1
Total 47 1 5 0 2 0 — 54 1
Leeds United 2023–24[75] Championship 33 2 2 0 1 0 1[b] 0 37 2
2024–25[76] Championship 14 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 15 1
Total 47 3 2 0 2 0 1 0 52 3
Career total 257 13 15 0 16 1 5 0 293 14
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearance in Championship play-offs

Honours

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Sam Byram". worldfootball.net. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Sam Byram". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Sam Byram". Norwich City F.C. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Five-star York are in fine Nick". York Press. 15 October 2003. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Sam Signs Up for the Future". Leeds United F.C. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  6. ^ "United Pride in Runners-Up Spot". Leeds United F.C. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  7. ^ "The Magnificent Seven". Leeds United F.C. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  8. ^ a b "LUFC Five star Leeds see off Farsley Celtic". Vital Football. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  9. ^ "United Hit Tavistock for Six". Leeds United F.C. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  10. ^ "Four-Star United Win at Bodmin". Leeds United F.C. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  11. ^ "South West Tour Ends on a High". Leeds United F.C. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Three of the Best See Off Preston". Leeds United F.C. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
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  16. ^ "Oxford Live". Leeds United F.C. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  17. ^ "Warnock Pleased with Cup Win". Sporting Life. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  18. ^ a b "Help find our best goal of 2012!". Leeds United F.C. 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  19. ^ "Gray on Leeds – Byram's got the goods to follow Lees' international call". LUFC Chat. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  20. ^ "San's a Shining Light for Youngsters". Sporting Life. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  21. ^ "Bolton 2–2 Leeds" BBC Sport. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
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  29. ^ "FL 125 Championship". Sky Sports. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
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  34. ^ "Two Off in Watford Defeat". Leeds United Official Site. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  35. ^ "Reading 0-2 Leeds". BBC Sport. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  36. ^ "Fulham 0 Leeds 3". BBC Sport. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  37. ^ "Keep young stars, Redfearn challenges Leeds". Yorkshire Evening Post. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  38. ^ "Mowatt Scoops Awards Night Double". Leeds United F.C. 2 May 2015.
  39. ^ Hay, Phil (31 July 2015). "Leeds United: Rosler fights to quell Byram speculation". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Doncaster: United Exit Cup on Penalties". Leeds United Official site. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  41. ^ "Sam Byram 'refused' new deal, says 'hurt' Cellino". Sky Sports. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  42. ^ "Byram too big for his boots, blasts Leeds United chief Cellino". Yorkshire Evening Post. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  43. ^ "Leeds United: Sam Byram rejects contract offer". Yorkshire Evening Post. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  44. ^ "Report: United Clinch Thriller at Wolves". Leeds United F.C. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  45. ^ "Report: Byram Clinches Point at Forest". Leeds United F.C. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  46. ^ "Mesut Ozil, Sam Byram lead PFA Fans' Player of the Month awards for December". Sky Sports News. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  47. ^ "Evans Provides Latest Transfer News". Leeds United F.C. 7 January 2016.
  48. ^ "Hammers sign Sam Byram". West Ham United F.C. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
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  50. ^ "Bilic proud of performance". Sky Sports. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  51. ^ "NK Domzale 2–1 West Ham: Matic Crnic scores twice to stun Hammers in Europa League first leg". Sky Sports. 29 July 2016.
  52. ^ "Sam Byram joins Nottingham Forest on loan". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  53. ^ "Nottingham Forest vs. Bury – 14 August 2018". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  54. ^ "Norwich City sign right-back from West Ham". BBC Sport. 16 July 2019.
  55. ^ "West Brom end Norwich's six-match winning run". BBC Sport. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  56. ^ "Club confirms players that will depart this summer". Norwich City FC. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  57. ^ "Leeds United transfer stance on Sam Byram made clear after surprise friendly appearance". Leeds Live. 23 July 2023.
  58. ^ "Your #LUFC Starting XI". Leeds United. 27 July 2023.
  59. ^ "Leeds United re-sign Sam Byram". Leeds United. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  60. ^ "Leeds United 3-0 Watford". BBC Sport. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  61. ^ Leeds retained list
  62. ^ "San's Confirmed on World Cup Short-List". Leeds United official website. 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 7 June 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  63. ^ "World cup injury rules Sam out". Leeds United official website. 12 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  64. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  65. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  66. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  67. ^ a b "Games played by Sam Byram in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  68. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  69. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  70. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  71. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  72. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  73. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  74. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  75. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  76. ^ "Games played by Sam Byram in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  77. ^ "Leeds United: Byram so proud to be youngest winner". Yorkshire Evening Post. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
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