Quick Facts
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Samuel James "Sam" Gallagher (born 15 September 1995) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Blackburn Rovers, on loan from Southampton. Originally a member of the Plymouth Argyle youth academy, Gallagher joined Southampton in 2012 and earned a call-up to the first team at the beginning of the 2013–14 season.
Club career
Gallagher was born in Crediton, Devon, and originally played for the Plymouth Argyle youth academy.
Southampton
In April 2012 he joined Southampton amidst reported interest from fellow Premier League clubs Everton and Newcastle United. The striker made his debut for the Southampton first team on 6 November 2013 in the League Cup against Sunderland, coming on as an 79th-minute substitute for Gastón Ramírez. After scoring a second-half hat-trick against local rivals Portsmouth in a 7–0 victory in the FA Youth Cup in December, Gallagher continued to make semi-regular substitute appearances for the first team, before scoring his first senior goal against Championship side Yeovil Town in the FA Cup on 25 January 2014. He made his full senior debut for the club on 28 January when he started in a league match against leaders Arsenal, coming close to scoring his first league goal on a number of occasions. He scored his first Premier League goal on 15 March 2014, in a 4–2 win against Norwich City. On 10 May 2014, Gallagher was awarded with a long-term contract extension with the Saints until the summer of 2018.
Loan to Milton Keynes Dons
On 29 July 2015, Gallagher joined Championship side Milton Keynes Dons on a season-long loan. Gallagher made his debut for MK Dons in a 4–1 win away to Rotherham United on 8 August 2015 providing an assist within four minutes.
He was recalled by Southampton on 6 January 2016.
Loan to Blackburn Rovers
On 11 August 2016, Gallagher joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan deal. He scored his first goal for Blackburn in a 2–2 draw with Burton Albion on 20 August 2016. On 20 October, Blackburn's manager, Owen Coyle expressed his desire to sign Gallagher on a permanent contract, after he scored five goals from nine starting appearances.
International career
Having previously played for Scotland at under-19 level, in February 2014 Gallagher switched allegiance to his birth country, England. On 24 February 2014, he was called up by the England under-19s for a friendly match against Turkey. He made his debut in the game, which England won 3–0.
Club statistics
- As of match played 13 December 2016
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Southampton | 2013–14 | Premier League | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 20 | 2 | |
| 2014–15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 20 | 2 | |||
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 2015–16 | Championship | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | |
| Blackburn Rovers (loan) | 2016–17 | 20 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 22 | 9 | ||
| Career total | 51 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | 57 | 11 | |||
Honours
Club
- Southampton
- U21 Premier League Cup: 2014–15
- "Report: Southampton 2-1 Blackburn Rovers (Under-21 Premier League Cup final second leg)". Southampton FC. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2016.