Luke Graham (footballer, born 2004)

Luke Graham

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-02-11) 11 February 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth	Scone, Scotland
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Dundee
Number	25
Youth career
	St Johnstone
	Dundee
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–	Dundee	1	(0)
2021–2022	→ Lochee United (loan)	17	(0)
2022–2023	→ Albion Rovers (loan)	27	(2)
2023–2024	→ Montrose (loan)	30	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:00, 4 August 2024 (UTC)

Luke Graham (born 11 February 2004) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Dundee. ^[1]

Career

Born in Scone, Graham was scouted as a kid by local club St Johnstone and spent several years there before leaving after having issues with coaches, and later joining Dundee's youth setup. ^[2]

In 2021, Graham joined Midlands League side Lochee United on a season-long loan. He would have a stand-out season for the Chee, winning the East Region League Cup with them and finishing 3rd in the league. ^[3] In April 2022, Graham would make headlines after it was reported he was set for a trial with Sheffield United. ^[4] It was reported the following day that he was also being scouted by several bigger clubs such as Celtic, Rangers and Arsenal. ^[5] Despite being offered a second trial by Sheffield United, Graham signed an extension with Dundee in May which would keep him there for another season. ^{[6] [7]}

On 30 September 2022, Graham joined Scottish League Two side Albion Rovers on loan. ^[8] He would make his debut the following day. ^[9] Graham would score his first goal for the club in his 2nd appearance, in a league win over Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic. ^[10]

On 1 September 2023, Graham joined Scottish League One club Montrose on loan until January 2024. ^{[11] [12]} Graham made his debut the following day as a substitute in a league win away to Queen of the South. ^[13] Graham scored his first goal for the Gable Endies on 4 November 2023, in a big league win away to Edinburgh City. ^[14] After a successful first half of the season, Graham's loan to Montrose was extended until the end of the season. ^[15] Graham had a strong season at Links Park, and was awarded both the Loanee and Young Player of the Year awards for Montrose at the end of the season. ^[16]

After successive successful loan spells, Dundee announced on 28 May 2024 that Graham had been promoted to the first team squad, and had signed a contract extension to stay with the club until 2027. ^{[17] [18]} Graham made his competitive debut for the Dark Blues on 23 July as substitute in a Scottish League Cup group stage win over Annan Athletic. ^[19] He made his first start for the Dee four days later in a 6–0 demolishing of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. ^[20] Graham made his league debut for Dundee in a memorable fixture, starting at Tannadice Park in a Dundee derby. ^[21]

Career statistics

As of 13 August 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Scottish Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Dundee	2021–22 [22]	Scottish Premiership	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2022–23 [23]	Scottish Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2023–24 [24]	Scottish Premiership	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2024–25 [25]		1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	0
Dundee B [lower-alpha 1]	2021–22 [22]	—			—		—		0	0	0	0
	2023–24 [24]	—			—		—		2	0	2	0
	2024–25 [25]	—			—		—		1	0	1	0
	Total				—		—		3	0	3	0
Lochee United (loan)	2021–22 [26]	Midlands League	17	0	0	0	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 2]	2	21	2
Albion Rovers (loan)	2022–23 [23]	Scottish League Two	27	2	2	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 3]	1	31	3
Montrose (loan)	2023–24 [24]	Scottish League One	30	2	2	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 4]	0	34	2
Career total			75	4	4	0	2	0	11	3	92	7

1. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup, in which teams from the SPFL Development League compete against senior clubs
2. Includes appearances in East of Scotland League Cup
3. Appearances in the Scottish League Two play-offs
4. Appearance(s) in the Scottish Championship play-offs

Honours

Lochee United

• East Region Junior League Cup: 2021–22 ^{[27] [28]}

Individual

• Montrose Young Player of the Year: 2023–24 ^[16]

References

1. Luke Graham at Soccerbase
2. Cran, George (20 November 2023). "Dundee loan star Luke Graham relishing Montrose move as he reveals reason behind St Johnstone exit as a kid". The Courier. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
3. "Lochee United take the Thorntons Cup". Lochee United Junior Football Club. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
4. Cran, George. "EXCLUSIVE: Highly-rated Dundee youngster set for trial at Sheffield United". The Courier. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
5. Cran, George. "EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal, Rangers and Celtic keeping tabs on Dundee kid Luke Graham". The Courier. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
6. "Development squad sign up". Dundee Football Club - Official Website. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
7. "Sheffield United miss out on defender transfer as Arsenal and Celtic-linked man signs new contract". www.thestar.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
8. Kearney, Ben (30 September 2022). "Luke Graham joins on loan". Albion Rovers. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
9. "Stranraer v Albion Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
10. "Albion Rovers v Bonnyrigg Rose". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
11. "Graham heads out on loan". Dundee Football Club - Official Website. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
12. "DEE DEFENDER JOINS MIGHTY MO ON LOAN DEAL | Montrose Football Club". montrosefc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
13. "Queen of the South v Montrose". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
14. "Edinburgh City v Montrose". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
15. "LINKS PARK LOAN EXTENDED FOR YOUNG DEE DEFENDER | Montrose Football Club". montrosefc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
16. "LUKE WHO IS LEAVING LP! | Montrose Football Club". montrosefc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
17. "Luke Graham Promoted to 1st Team Squad". Dundee Football Club - Official Website. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
18. "Luke Graham Extends Dundee Contract". Superior Sports Management. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
19. "Dundee vs Annan Athletic: League Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
20. "Premier Sports Cup Results | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
21. "Dundee United vs Dundee: Scottish Premiership". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
22. "Games Played by Luke Graham in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
23. "Games played by Luke Graham in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
24. "Games played by Luke Graham in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
25. "Games played by Luke Graham in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
26. "Results". Scottish Junior FA. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
27. "Lochee United take the Thorntons Cup". Lochee United Junior Football Club. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
28. "Match Result". Scottish Junior FA. Retrieved 20 May 2023.