Chris Martin (footballer, born 1988)
Christopher Hugh Martin (born 4 November 1988) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Bristol Rovers. Born in England, he has played for the Scotland national team and has also represented England U19 national team.
|
Martin playing for Derby County in 2016 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Hugh Martin | ||
| Date of birth | 4 November 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Beccles, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.84 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Bristol Rovers | ||
| Number | 18 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2006 | Norwich City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2013 | Norwich City | 102 | (25) |
| 2008–2009 | → Luton Town (loan) | 40 | (11) |
| 2011–2012 | → Crystal Palace (loan) | 26 | (7) |
| 2012–2013 | → Swindon Town (loan) | 12 | (1) |
| 2013 | → Derby County (loan) | 13 | (2) |
| 2013–2020 | Derby County | 186 | (65) |
| 2016–2017 | → Fulham (loan) | 31 | (10) |
| 2018 | → Reading (loan) | 10 | (1) |
| 2018–2019 | → Hull City (loan) | 30 | (2) |
| 2020–2023 | Bristol City | 88 | (15) |
| 2023 | Queens Park Rangers | 16 | (4) |
| 2023– | Bristol Rovers | 25 | (15) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2007 | England U19 | 4 | (2) |
| 2014–2017 | Scotland | 17 | (3) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:16, 4 March 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01:21, 7 October 2021 (UTC) | |||
Martin began his career at Norwich City, joining the club's books at the age of 10 and making his professional début at 18 in the 2006–07 season. He fell out of favour in the 2007–08 season and spent the 2008–09 season on loan at Luton Town. On his return to Norwich, he was an important first team player as the club recorded successive promotions from League One and the Championship in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons.
However, upon the club's return to the Premier League, he found himself out of favour and spent part of the 2011–12 season on loan at Crystal Palace and parts of the 2012–13 season on loan at Swindon Town and Derby County. At the end of the season, he agreed a deal to join Derby on a permanent basis, signing a three-year contract and moving to the club on a free transfer ahead of the 2013–14 season. He ended the season as the club's top goalscorer, with 25 goals in all competitions, as the club reached the 2014 Championship play-off final. He signed a new four-year contract in August 2014 and was also the club's top goalscorer for the 2014–15 season, with 21 goals in all league and cup matches.
On 31 August 2016, Martin joined Fulham on a season-long loan, with an arrangement for a permanent deal at the end of the loan spell. This arrangement was disputed during the season, as Martin expressed a desire to return to Derby.
Martin was eligible to play international football for either England or Scotland, where his father was born. He represented England at under-19 level in 2007. Seven years later he was first selected for the senior Scotland team, for which he made his full international début in May 2014. He scored his first goal for Scotland in October 2015.