Josh Yorwerth

Joshua Yorwerth (born 28 February 1995) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Southern League Premier South side Merthyr Town.

He began his career as a youth player with Cardiff City, joining the club at the age of 13.

He spent time on loan with Hereford United during the club's final months before folding due to financial problems.

Yorwerth was a member of the Cardiff City F.C. Academy, signing scholarship forms in 2008 at the age of 13.

He progressed up to the under-21 development side in 2014 but, unable to break into the first team, he sought a loan move to gain experience.

Yorwerth later admitted that he struggled to find a club willing to take him on loan, commenting "My agent couldn't find me anything and it's quite hard to get loan moves for youngsters who haven't got any experience or not played any games."

He eventually joined Southern Football League side Hereford United on loan in November 2014, scoring on his debut in a 3–1 win over Frome Town.

However the following month Hereford were forced into liquidation due to financial difficulties and they were removed from the league with their records for the season expunged.

With four experienced centre-backs in the squad and competition from other youngsters Ben Nugent and Adedeji Oshilaja, Yorwerth found first team chances non-existent on his return to Cardiff and was not offered an extension to his contract in order to seek regular football elsewhere.

He later revealed that he had suffered from a gambling addiction during his time with Cardiff.

In 2015, he signed for Ipswich Town where he made his professional debut in the EFL Cup.

After appearing in two under-21 fixtures for the club during a trial period, Yorwerth joined fellow Championship side Ipswich Town on a two-year contract, with the option of a third, in 2015.

He made his professional debut for Ipswich in an EFL Cup match against Stevenage on 11 August 2015, and scored in the 55th minute.

The goal equalised for Ipswich, who went on to win 2–1.

He played in the following two rounds of the competition, featuring in a 4–1 victory over Doncaster Rovers and a 3–0 defeat to Manchester United.

Yorwerth joined League Two club Crawley Town on a one-month loan on 29 September 2015 and made his Football League debut against Newport County in a 3–0 win the same day.

He made five appearances during the month and his loan spell was extended until 29 December 2015.

After spending several months on loan with Crawley Town, he joined the club on a permanent basis in 2016.

He spent time on loan with Merthyr Town before establishing himself in the first team, making 91 appearances in all competitions.

In April 2016, Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy announced that Yorwerth would leave the club at the end of the season, with the club and player agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract a month later.

On 1 June 2016, Yorwerth rejoined Crawley on a permanent basis on a one-year deal.

He made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in place of Jason Banton during a 1–1 draw with Doncaster Rovers on 13 August.

Three days later, he again appeared as a late substitute and scored the only goal of the game in a victory over Exeter City.

However, Yorwerth was given leave by the club to return home for "personal reasons" in October 2016.

Having returned to Wales, Yorwerth joined local side Merthyr Town on a 28-day loan.

Three days later, Yorwerth made his debut in a 2–0 home victory over Dorchester Town.

In the following fixture, Yorwerth scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Slough Town.

On 4 November 2016, after impressing with the Welsh side, Yorwerth's loan at Merthyr Town was extended until 4 January 2017.

However, days after his loan extension, Crawley decided to recall Yorwerth, after injuries to Mark Connolly and Joe McNerney.

Following his return, Crawley manager Dermot Drummy credited the loan spell with an improvement in Yorwerth's form.

On 30 May 2017, Yorwerth signed a new one-year deal at Crawley with an option of an extra year.

Under Drummy's replacement Harry Kewell, Yorwerth continued as a first team regular.

However, he later admitted to clashing with the manager on several occasions over his drinking, and was even dropped on occasion after arriving at training sessions smelling of alcohol.

He joined Peterborough United in 2018 but was sacked by the club eight months later after evading an anti-doping test and admitting to cocaine use.

He received a four-year ban from The Football Association in February 2019, the longest doping-related ban ever sanctioned in English professional football.

At international level, he has represented Wales at several youth levels.

Yorwerth was born in Bridgend, Wales, and grew up in the nearby village of Brynmenyn.

As a youngster he played youth football for local sides in Aberkenfig, where he was coached by his father Robert, and Pencoed and was a fan of Manchester United.

He attended Ynysawdre Comprehensive School.

He also represented Wales at youth level in rugby union.