Michael Hector

Michael Hector

Hector playing for Hull City in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Michael Anthony James Hector [1]
Date of birth	(1992-07-19) 19 July 1992 (age 31) [2]
Place of birth	East Ham, London, England
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) [3]
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Charlton Athletic
Number	6
Youth career
	Millwall
0000–2009	Thurrock
2009–2010	Reading
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2015	Reading	54	(3)
2009	→ Bracknell Town (loan)	3	(0)
2009	→ Didcot Town (loan)	3	(0)
2010	→ Havant & Waterlooville (loan)	1	(0)
2010	→ Oxford City (loan)	6	(0)
2010–2011	→ Horsham (loan)	11	(1)
2011	→ Dundalk (loan)	11	(2)
2011–2012	→ Barnet (loan)	27	(2)
2012	→ Shrewsbury Town (loan)	8	(0)
2012–2013	→ Aldershot Town (loan)	8	(1)
2013	→ Cheltenham Town (loan)	20	(1)
2013–2014	→ Aberdeen (loan)	20	(1)
2015–2019	Chelsea	0	(0)
2015–2016	→ Reading (loan)	26	(1)
2016–2017	→ Eintracht Frankfurt (loan)	22	(1)
2017–2018	→ Hull City (loan)	36	(1)
2018–2019	→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	37	(2)
2019–2022	Fulham	28	(0)
2023–	Charlton Athletic	49	(0)
International career‡
2015–	Jamaica	40	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing   Jamaica CONCACAF Gold Cup Runner-up 2015 United States–Canada Team CONCACAF Nations League 2024 United States Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:10, 13 April 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:06, 24 March 2024 (UTC)

Michael Anthony James Hector (born 19 July 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Charlton Athletic. Born in England, he represents the Jamaica national team.

Hector began his career in the youth teams at Millwall and Thurrock before moving to Reading in 2009 where he joined the academy. In his first two seasons at the club he spent time on loan at a succession of non-league sides including Didcot Town, Oxford City and Horsham. Hector signed professional terms with Reading in May 2010 and joined League of Ireland side Dundalk on loan in February 2011. He made his Football League debut for Barnet in November 2011 and his successful spell with the club culminated with Hector winning the Young Player of the Season award. He signed a new contract at Reading in summer 2012 and soon after joined Shrewsbury on a six-month loan. Another temporary spell, this time with Aldershot Town followed, before moving to Cheltenham Town on loan in January 2013. He spent the first half of the 2013–14 season at Aberdeen and made his Reading debut in January 2014.^{[ citation needed ]}

Hector was born in England but chose to represent Jamaica at international level, being selected in their squad for the 2015 Copa América.

Club career

Early career

Hector was born in East Ham, London. ^[2] He began his career at Millwall before moving on to Thurrock where he played in the youth team. He was spotted by Reading after playing against them in a friendly for Barking Abbey and joined on scholarship terms at the start of the 2009–10 season. ^{[4] [5]}

Loan spells

Non-League

In October 2009, Hector joined Bracknell Town on loan, spending a month there before moving to Didcot Town in November. ^{[6] [7]} He went out on loan one further time that season, joining Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville in January 2010 though he made just one appearance as a substitute against Bromley. ^[8] After playing in the reserves and gaining experience out on loan, Hector was rewarded with his first professional contract at Reading in May 2010. ^{[5] [9] [10]}

The 2010–11 season again saw Hector go out on several loan spells. He joined Oxford City in August 2010 along with fellow Reading defender Jack Mills and made seven appearances during a one-month stay. ^[11] Hector then moved to Horsham in November on an initial one-month loan and scored his first career goal on debut against Billericay Town. ^[12] In December his loan was extended for a second month after which he returned to Reading having made 12 appearances, scoring once. ^[13] His spell at Horsham was marred by three red cards, including two dismissals in successive games prompting manager John Maggs to accuse referees of "destroying" the young defender. ^[14]

Dundalk

On 1 February 2011, days after returning from Horsham, Hector joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk on loan until 30 June. ^[15] The red cards received during his time at Horsham meant Hector was unable to officially sign for Dundalk until 16 February though he played in four pre-season friendlies in the meantime. ^[16] His competitive debut came on 4 March as a substitute in the opening day league fixture against Shamrock Rovers and he made a further 14 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice. ^[17] Although Dundalk had initially hoped to extend Hector's loan for the rest of the season, he suffered a knee injury in May and he returned to Reading the following month. ^[18]

The Football League

Hector spent the next five months working his way back to full fitness and on 3 November he joined League Two side Barnet on an initial one-month youth loan. ^{[4] [19]} After an impressive start to his spell his loan was extended for a further month, and, on 23 December, was renewed until the end of the season. ^{[20] [21]} He became a regular in the first team and at the end of the season he was voted Barnet's Young Player of the Season. ^[22] With Hector's contract up at the end of the 2011–12 season, his performances at Barnet attracted the attention of other clubs with Norwich City and West Ham United reportedly interested in signing him. ^[23]

No move materialised though and Hector signed a new contract at Reading in summer 2012. ^[24] On 24 July he joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on a six-month loan but after falling out of contention, he returned to Reading on 7 November to train and play reserve games. ^{[25] [26]} He remained eligible to play for Shrewsbury until his loan ended although on 22 November Hector was recalled early and immediately sent out to Aldershot Town until 1 January. ^{[27] [28] [29]} He made his Aldershot debut in central midfield in the FA Cup second round tie against Fleetwood Town on 1 December. ^[30] After a successful start at Aldershot Hector had expressed an interest in extending his stay with the club and on 2 January it was confirmed that his loan had been renewed. ^{[31] [32]} Hector's stay at Aldershot finished on 29 January 2013 with manager Dean Holdsworth revealing he had hoped to extend his deal and was disappointed to lose him, adding that Hector had wanted to go to a "bigger club". ^[33]

The day after his loan at Aldershot finished Hector made his third move of the 2012–13 season, this time on an initial one-month loan to Cheltenham Town. ^[34] He made his debut in a 2–1 win over Torquay United on 2 February and earned praise from manager Mark Yates for his performance. ^[35] On 28 February his loan was extended for another month ^[36] and at the end of March it was renewed again, this time for the rest of the season. ^[37] He scored his first Cheltenham goal with the winner against Gillingham on 13 April, securing a play-off spot for the club in the process. ^[38] He played in both legs of the play-off semi-final against Northampton Town but could not prevent Cheltenham losing 2–0 on aggregate. ^[39]

Aberdeen

On 26 July 2013, Hector joined Aberdeen on loan for six months. ^[40] Upon his arrival Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes described him as "a big strong lad who comes with a good pedigree". ^[41] In November, he scored his only goal for the Dons with a 20-yard strike in a 4–0 win against Partick Thistle. ^[42] It was confirmed the following month that Hector's spell would not be extended due to an injury crisis at his parent club, ^[43] though McInnes was hopeful that he could re-sign him at the end of the transfer window providing Reading's situation improved. ^[44] Hector became a fans' favourite and despite not re-signing for the Dons, travelled to Glasgow to watch Aberdeen win the 2014 Scottish League Cup Final.

Reading

Hector made his debut as a late substitute in Reading's 7–1 win over Bolton Wanderers in January 2014. ^[45] He made two more appearances off the bench before starting for the first time in place of Kaspars Gorkšs away at Brighton & Hove Albion in a game that finished 1–1. ^[46] He went on to make nine appearances in total, including four starts, ^[47] and at the end of the season was offered a new contract, ^[48] which he signed in May, keeping him with the club until 2016 with the option of a further year. ^[49] The following summer Hector signed a new three-year contract with Reading until the summer of 2018. ^[50]

Chelsea

In a deadline day deal, Hector signed for Premier League club Chelsea on 1 September 2015. As part of the deal, he was sent back on loan to Reading for the 2015–16 season. ^[51] Hector returned to Chelsea on 28 April 2016, a week before his loan deal was due to expire. ^[52] After the arrival of Antonio Conte, Hector trained with the first-team and was included in the squad of the Austrian tour and U.S. tour during pre-season. ^[53]

Eintracht Frankfurt (loan)

Hector playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2017

On 14 August 2016, Hector joined German side Eintracht Frankfurt on a season-long loan, making this his 13th loan in his career. ^[54] On 21 August 2016, Hector made his debut against 1. FC Magdeburg in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. He was sent-off after receiving a second-yellow in 100th minute; Eintracht Frankfurt went on to advance to the second round after winning 4–3 in the penalty shootout. ^[55] He scored his first Eintracht Frankfurt goal, a stoppage time equaliser against Hertha BSC on 24 September. ^[56]

Hull City (loan)

On 27 July 2017, Hector signed a season-long loan deal with Hull City. ^[57] He made his debut on the opening day of the season, 5 August 2017, away at Aston Villa, in a 1–1 draw. ^[58] Hector scored his first goal for Hull City on 28 October 2017, with the final goal in a 2–3 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. ^[59]

Sheffield Wednesday (loan)

On 31 August 2018, Hector joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan deal. ^[60] He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against Preston on 22 December 2018. ^{[61] [62]} He made 39 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday in all competitions, scoring two goals. At the end of the season, he was voted as the club's Player of the Year. ^[63]

Fulham

On 5 September 2019, it was announced that Hector would join Fulham, for an undisclosed fee, in the upcoming January transfer window. In an unusual move, he trained with the Fulham team until then. ^[64] This move, combined with the suspension of the season due to the COVID pandemic, resulted in the headline that he effectively played "three pre-seasons" during the 2019–20 season. ^[65] He made his debut in a 2–1 win against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on 4 January 2020. ^[66] On 4 August 2020, he started the 2020 EFL Championship play-off final which promoted Fulham back to the Premier League.

On 12 September 2020, Hector made his Premier League debut in a 3–0 defeat against Arsenal in the opening match of the 2020–21 campaign. ^{[67] [68]}

Charlton Athletic

On 31 January 2023, Hector signed for League One club Charlton Athletic on a short-term deal until the end of the season. ^[69]

On 29 June 2023, Hector signed a new contract with the club ahead of the 2023–24 season. ^[70]

International career

Hector was called up to the Jamaica national football team on 27 February 2015 for friendly games against Venezuela and Cuba. ^[71] Later that year he was included in their 2015 Copa América squad, having received international clearance to represent them. ^[72] He made his debut on 13 June, playing the full 90 minutes as Jamaica lost 1–0 to holders Uruguay in their opening group match in Antofagasta. ^[73]

Personal life

Hector attended Langdon School, Newham ^{[ citation needed ]} and is the son of former Essex cricketer Pat Hector. ^[4] He was eligible to play for both England and Jamaica at international level. ^[16]

Career statistics

Club

As of 13 April 2024. ^{[74] [75]}

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Reading	2013–14	Championship	9	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		9	0
	2014–15	Championship	41	3	6	0	2	0	—		—		49	3
	2015–16	Championship	4	0	0	0	1	0	—		—		5	0
	Total		54	3	6	0	3	0	—		—		63	3
Bracknell Town (loan)	2009–10	Hellenic League	3	0	0	0	—		—		1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	4	0
Didcot Town (loan)	2009–10	Southern League	3	0	0	0	—		—		0	0	3	0
Havant & Waterlooville (loan)	2009–10 [8]	Conference South	1	0	0	0	—		—		0	0	1	0
Oxford City (loan)	2010–11 [76]	Southern League	6	0	1	0	—		—		0	0	7	0
Horsham (loan)	2010–11 [77]	Isthmian League	11	1	0	0	—		—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	12	1
Dundalk (loan)	2011 [17]	Irish Premier Division	11	2	0	0	1	0	—		3 [lower-alpha 3]	0	15	2
Barnet (loan)	2011–12	League Two	27	2	1	0	0	0	—		3 [lower-alpha 4]	0	31	2
Shrewsbury Town (loan)	2012–13	League One	8	0	0	0	1	0	—		0	0	9	0
Aldershot Town (loan)	2012–13	League Two	8	1	3	0	0	0	—		0	0	11	1
Cheltenham Town (loan)	2012–13	League Two	20	1	0	0	0	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 5]	0	22	1
Aberdeen (loan)	2013–14	Scottish Premiership	20	1	1	0	1	0	—		—		22	1
Chelsea	2015–16	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
Reading (loan)	2015–16	Championship	26	1	3	1	1	0	—		—		30	2
Eintracht Frankfurt (loan)	2016–17	Bundesliga	22	1	5	0	—		—		—		27	1
Hull City (loan)	2017–18	Championship	36	1	2	0	0	0	—		—		38	1
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	2018–19	Championship	37	2	2	0	0	0	—		—		39	2
Fulham	2019–20	Championship	20	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	—		25	0
	2020–21	Premier League	4	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	—		8	0
	2021–22	Championship	4	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	—		7	0
	Total		28	0	5	0	4	0	3	0	—		40	0
Charlton Athletic	2022–23	League One	17	0	—		—		—		—		17	0
	2023–24	League One	32	0	0	0	1	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 6]	0	34	0
	Total		49	0	0	0	1	0	—		1	0	51	0
Career total			370	16	29	1	12	0	3	0	11	0	425	17

1. Appearance in the Southern League Cup
2. Appearance in the Sussex Senior Cup
3. Appearances in the Setanta Sports Cup
4. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
5. Appearances in the League Two play-offs
6. One appearance in the EFL Trophy

International

As of 24 March 2024 ^[78]

International statistics

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Jamaica	2015	11	0
	2016	8	0
	2017	0	0
	2018	3	0
	2019	8	0
	2020	2	0
	2021	3	0
	2022	0	0
	2023	3	0
	2024	2	0
Total		40	0

Honours

Fulham

• EFL Championship play-offs: 2020 ^[79]

Jamaica

• CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up: 2015 ^{[ citation needed ]}

• CONCACAF Nations League third place: 2023–24 ^{[ citation needed ]}

Individual

• Barnet Young Player of the Season: 2011–12 ^[22]
• Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Year: 2018–19 ^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
2. "Michael Hector". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
3. "Michael Hector". ESPN FC. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
4. Fordham, Jonny (27 October 2011). "Reading FC defender knows he has a Hec of a chance". Bracknell Forest Standard. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
5. "Player profile: Michael Hector". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 14 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
6. Freeland, Darrell (15 October 2009). "Bracknell Town FC 2 Frome Town FC 3". Wokingham Times. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
7. "Tiverton 1–2 Didcot Town". Didcot Town F.C. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
8. "Total appearances by player: Michael Hector". Havant & Waterlooville F.C. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
9. "Unknown". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
10. "Thorvaldsson and Bozanic released". Reading Post. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
11. "Brooks leaves Oxford City as three arrive". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
12. "Horsham 1 Bellericay Town 2". Horsham F.C. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
13. "Horsham extend Hector loan". West Sussex County Times. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
14. "Maggs slams referees over Hector red cards". West Sussex County Times. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
15. "Foster welcomes double capture". Dundalk F.C. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
16. "Focus on Hector!". Dundalk F.C. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
17. "First team squad: Michael Hector". Dundalk F.C. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
18. "Hector to remain with Reading". Dundalk F.C. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
19. "Barnet sign defenders Paul Downing and Michael Hector". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
20. Newson, Adam. "Reading defender Michael Hector's loan spell at Barnet extended until January". Barnet & Potters Bar Times. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
21. "Barnet extend loans of Reading and West Brom youngsters". London 24. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
22. "Player Profile: Michael Hector". Cheltenham Town F.C. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
23. "Duo eye Royals starlet". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
24. "Royals aim to extend ten contracts". Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
25. "Hector Loaned". Reading F.C. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
26. "Hector back at Reading". Shrewsbury Town F.C. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
27. "Loanees return to Reading and Man City". Shrewsbury Town F.C. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
28. "Loan Update". Reading F.C. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
29. "Loan deal confirmed". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 12 November 2012.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
30. "Super Shots go through in Lancashire". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 3 December 2012.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
31. "Aldershot Town: Michael Hector eyes longer loan stay". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
32. "Guy Madjo departs". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 2 January 2013.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
33. Couch, Jon (31 January 2013). "Hector U-turn leaves Holdsworth back in the hunt". Get Hampshire. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
34. "Hector in on loan". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
35. "We were excellent". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
36. "Hector extends loan". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
37. "Hector extends loan until the end of the season". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
38. "Cheltenham 1–0 Gillingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
39. "Cheltenham Town 0–1 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
40. "Hector agrees Dons loan". Reading F.C. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
41. "Aberdeen's on-loan defender Michael Hector in Reading return". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
42. "Aberdeen 4–0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
43. Watts, Charles (5 December 2013). "Michael Hector wants to return to Reading FC and realise his dream". Reading Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
44. "Derek McInnes not giving up on extending Michael Hector's Aberdeen loan". STV Sport. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
45. "Royals put seven past Bolton". Reading F.C. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
46. "Four changes for Royals". Reading F.C. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
47. "Games played by Michael Hector in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
48. "Hector & Taylor to discuss deals". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 7 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
49. "Taylor and Hector agree deals". Reading F.C. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
50. "Hector pens new three-year deal". Reading F.C. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
51. "Hector deal completed". Chelsea F.C.
52. "Chelsea duo return to the Bridge". Reading F.C. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
53. "Frankfurt switch for Hector". Chelsea F.C. 14 August 2016.
54. "Frankfurt switch for Hector". Chelsea F.C. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
55. "1. FC Magdeburg 1–1 Eintracht Frankfurt". ESPN FC. 21 August 2016.
56. "Eintracht Frankfurt 3–3 Hertha Berlin". ESPN FC. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
57. "Hector Joins on Loan From Chelsea". Hull City A.F.C. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
58. "Aston Villa 1–1 Hull City". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
59. "Hull City 2–3 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
60. "Michael Hector makes Owls loan switch". swfc.co.uk. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
61. "Sheffield Wednesday vs Preston North End on 22 Dec 18 - Match Centre - Sheffield Wednesday". www.swfc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
62. "Hector crowned 2018/19 SWFC Player of the Year". www.swfc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
63. "Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Year Award Winners from 1969 to 2020". My Football Facts. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
64. "Chelsea announce Michael Hector will join Fulham after failing to play a game for the club in four years". metro.co.uk. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
65. "Hector: Pre-Season Expert". fulhamfc.com. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
66. FC, Fulham. "Fulham FC". Fulham FC. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
67. FC, Fulham (12 September 2020). "Fulham FC - Fulham 0-3 Arsenal". Fulham FC. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
68. "Michael Hector Profile, News & Stats | Premier League". www.premierleague.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
69. "DONE DEAL : MICHAEL HECTOR JOINS THE ADDICKS". www.charltonafc.com. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
70. "MICHAEL HECTOR PENS NEW CONTRACT". www.charltonafc.com. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
71. "Four Newcomers For Jamaica's Reggae Boyz Football Squad". Gleaner (Jamaica). 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
72. "Hector and McCleary gearing up for Messi and Argentina". Reading F.C. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
73. "Uruguay 1–0 Jamaica: Copa America champions start with a win". Goal.com. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
74. Michael Hector at Soccerway. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
75. "Michael Hector". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
76. "Oxford City F.C. Fixtures & Results 2010–11". Citystats. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
77. "Horsham F.C. Fixtures & Results 2010–11". Horsham F.C. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
78. "Hector, Michael". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
79. Stevens, Rob (4 August 2020). "Brentford 1–2 Fulham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 August 2020.

External links

• Michael Hector at Soccerbase