Joel Thompson (footballer)

Joel Thompson

Personal information
Full name	Joel Peter Thompson [1]
Date of birth	(2005-07-25) 25 July 2005 (age 19)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Finn Harps
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2022	Crusaders	6	(0)
2022–2024	Nottingham Forest	0	(0)
2024–2025	Colchester United	0	(0)
2024	→ Aveley (loan)	6	(0)
2025–	Finn Harps	13	(0)
International career
	Northern Ireland U19
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:26, 28 May 2025 (UTC)

Joel Peter Thompson (born 25 July 2005) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for Finn Harps as a midfielder.

Club career

Thompson began his career with Crusaders, making his debut in May 2021, ^[2] at the age of 15. ^[3] After 6 NIFL Premiership appearances for the club, ^[2] he signed for Nottingham Forest in July 2022. ^{[4] [5] [6]} He suffered a broken leg whilst with the club. ^[7]

After being released by Forest in September 2024, ^{[2] [8]} Thompson signed for Colchester United later that month. ^{[9] [10]}

In November 2024, Thompson joined National League South side Aveley on loan. ^[11]

In February 2025 he signed for Finn Harps. ^[12]

International career

Thompson is a Northern Ireland under-19 international. ^{[3] [13]}

Career statistics

As of 28 May 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Crusaders	2020–21 [1]	NIFL Premiership	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2021–22 [1]	NIFL Premiership	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	Career total		6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Nottingham Forest	2022–23 [14]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2023–24 [15]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Career total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Colchester United	2024–25 [16]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Aveley	2024–25 [1]	National League South	6	0	0	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	7	0
Finn Harps	2025 [1]	League of Ireland First Division	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
Career total			25	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	26	0

1. Appearance in the FA Trophy

References

1. Joel Thompson at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
2. "'We have thoroughly enjoyed having him with us since moving across from Northern Ireland.'". Belfast News Letter. 1 September 2024.
3. "'The experience they have is scary...to be able to train with the likes of them set me up for coming over.'". Belfast News Letter. 7 June 2024.
4. Fullerton, Darren (4 July 2022). "Nottingham Forest snap up Crusaders teenager Joel Thompson". Belfast Live.
5. "Northern Ireland teen Joel Thompson: 'I'm living my dream after leaving Crusaders for Nottingham Forest'". 9 July 2022 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
6. Pawley, Luke (6 July 2022). "Nottingham Forest beat Premier League rivals to 'snap up' wonderkid Thompson". Nottinghamshire Live.
7. "Injury hell has made me stronger, says Northern Ireland U19s' Joel Thompson". 6 June 2024 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
8. "Forest cut loose Thompson - TribalFootball.com". www.tribalfootball.com.
9. "Joel Thompson: Ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder joins Colchester United". BBC Sport. 4 September 2024.
10. "Colchester United sign Nottingham Forest midfielder on short-term deal". Gazette. 4 September 2024.
11. "Joel Thompson Joins On Loan". Aveley F.C. 23 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
12. Lee, Ethan (12 February 2025). "Harps Sign Joel Thompson from Colchester United - Finn Harps FC Official Website". finnharps.ie.
13. Crawford, Steven (7 July 2024). "Northern Ireland's Joel Thompson sends out defiant message". Belfast Live.
14. "Games played by Joel Thompson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
15. "Games played by Joel Thompson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
16. "Games played by Joel Thompson in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2024.