Jamie Searle

Jamie Searle (born 25 November 2000) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for  club Forest Green Rovers. He was part of the New Zealand squad in the football competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics and made his senior debut in March 2022. Searle played senior football for his local side Melville United while still a teenager, earning an academy place at Aston Villa after a trial, before spells at Swansea City and Barnsley.

Early life
Searle was born in 2000 in Whakatāne, and played for Whakatāne Town, Tauranga City and Cambridge FC in his early years. He completed his secondary education at St Peter's School in Cambridge, south-east of Hamilton.

Melville United and Aston Villa
Searle began to play for the first team of Melville United during his time at school, making three appearances over three years.

Searle's manager at Melville United, Sam Wilkinson, organised a month-long trial with Aston Villa, and after impressing in friendly matches he signed his first professional contract in August 2019. For the first half-year, either his father or his mother was living with him in Birmingham; during the COVID-19 pandemic he lived on his own.

Swansea City
After his time at Aston Villa, Searle trialled for Blackpool, Sunderland and Swansea City; in July 2020, he signed a one-year contract with Swansea. On 15 June 2021, he signed a one-year extension, with a club option to extend for another season. He was released by Swansea City at the end of his contract on 30 June 2022.

Barnsley
On 16 June 2022, Searle agreed to join League One club Barnsley on a two-year deal upon the expiration of his Swansea City contract.

International career
Searle was a member of the New Zealand Olympic football team at the Tokyo 2020 games but did not play in their run to the quarter-finals. Searle made his debut for the senior New Zealand side in March 2022, playing the full 90 minutes in a World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia.