Martyn Waghorn

Martyn Thomas Waghorn (born 23 January 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Derby County.

He is a former England under-21 international.

Waghorn had been with Sunderland since the age of eight and made his first-team debut for the club in December 2007, against Manchester United, at the age of 17.

Waghorn scored the first hat-trick of his career on 12 December 2007 in a 6–1 win against Norwich City in the FA Youth Cup third round.

He scored twice in a 4–2 win against local rivals Newcastle United a few days later at the Academy of Light, both of the goals being penalties.

Waghorn made his first team debut against Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on 26 December 2007; the match finished 4–0 to Manchester United.

The player, usually a striker, had to play in left midfield, and after the match manager Roy Keane heaped praise on the young player, predicting that he would have a "long and successful career".

Waghorn signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Sunderland in February 2008, which Keane described as good for both Sunderland and the player.

His only appearance for the club in the 2008–09 season was against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 1 November 2008, a 5–0 loss.

Waghorn joined Championship side Charlton Athletic on a month's loan on 17 November 2008.

On 15 December 2008, Waghorn scored his first goal, in a 2–2 draw at home against Derby County.

The loan deal was extended for a second month.

He made seven appearances for the club in a season that would end in relegation to League One.

On 6 August 2009, Waghorn joined Leicester City on loan until 11 January 2010, having turned down interest from Carlisle United.

Waghorn made his competitive debut for Leicester City as a substitute against Swansea City, scoring the equalising goal as Leicester City won 2–1.

His first 11 games for Leicester City were all as a substitute, but Waghorn expressed his satisfaction as an impact player.

He made his first league start for Leicester City against Reading, scoring the winning goal.

Waghorn scored his first professional brace against Queens Park Rangers in a 4–0 win.

He had loan spells with Charlton Athletic and Leicester City, before joining Leicester City on a permanent deal in August 2010.

His overall performance earned him the club's Young Player of the Year award on 28 April 2010.

Waghorn missed the last penalty kick in a 4–3 defeat on penalties to Cardiff City in the Championship play-offs semi-final second leg on 12 May 2010.

He scored 12 goals in 28 starts for the club during his loan period.

On 31 August 2010, Waghorn rejoined Leicester City on a permanent deal for a fee rising to £3 million to help fund Sunderland's record signing Asamoah Gyan.

He was disappointed with the lack of opportunities at his former club, and happily dropped down a division because the lure of playing regular football was too good to turn down.

Waghorn made his debut in a 1–1 draw against Coventry City on 11 September 2010, scoring his first goal in a 4–3 defeat to Norwich City on 28 September 2010.

He failed to win a regular place when Sven-Göran Eriksson became manager on 3 October 2010.

Nonetheless, injury concerns at the club prevented Waghorn from joining Derby County on loan during the January 2011 transfer window.

On 6 April 2011, a hamstring injury suffered during training ruled Waghorn out for the rest of the 2010–11 season.

Hull City completed the loan signing of Waghorn on 31 August 2011 which would have lasted until January 2012.

He made his debut on 10 September 2011 in a 1–0 win at Peterborough United.

On 27 September 2011 against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, Matty Fryatt found himself with space to deliver a low cross along the six-yard box and although Neil Sullivan might have been disappointed not to cut it out, Waghorn was there to apply the finish from close range.

He returned to Leicester on 6 December 2011 after suffering a hamstring injury during his loan spell.

After making only two substitute appearances for Leicester, Waghorn joined Millwall on a three-month loan deal on 12 September 2013.

He scored on his debut against Derby County on 14 September 2013.

He scored his second goal for the club on 5 October 2013, in a 5–2 defeat against AFC Bournemouth.

He played sparingly for Leicester City, spending time out on loan at Hull City, Millwall and Wigan Athletic, before signing permanently for the latter in April 2014.

In July 2015, he left England for the first time, joining Scottish club Rangers.

He returned to English football in August 2017, when he joined Ipswich Town and later Derby County before signing for Coventry City in July 2021.

Waghorn was born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear.

From the age of eight Waghorn played for his local team Sunderland and he progressed through the youth system at the Academy of Light to reach the under-18 team.