Jarrad Branthwaite

Jarrad Paul Branthwaite (born 27 June 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Everton and the England national team.

Early life
Jarrad Paul Branthwaite was born on 27 June 2002 in Carlisle, Cumbria.

Carlisle United
Branthwaite started his career with Carlisle United's youth system aged eight and signed his first professional contract, of two years with an option to extend, in February 2019. His first involvement with the first team came as an unused substitute on 16 March in a 1–1 draw away to Forest Green Rovers. He appeared on the bench for seven more consecutive League Two matches that season.

Branthwaite started the 2019–20 season with 13 consecutive bench appearances in League Two matches, as well as making the bench in Carlisle United's 3–0 win over Barnsley and 2–1 loss to Rochdale in the first and second rounds of the 2019–20 EFL Cup. On 19 October 2019, Branthwaite made his debut and started in a 2–0 League Two loss away to Plymouth Argyle, playing the full match and receiving a yellow card in the 40th minute. He scored his first goal for Carlisle in an EFL Trophy tie against Morecambe on 12 November.

2020–2022
On 13 January 2020, Branthwaite signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Premier League club Everton, keeping him at the club until the end of June 2022. He made his debut on 12 July, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He made his home debut against Aston Villa on 16 July, coming on as a substitute for the second straight game, this time for the injured Mason Holgate in the 16th minute. Branthwaite started his first game for Everton on 20 July against Sheffield United after signing an extended contract until June 2023, in which he was named man of the match in a 1–0 win for Everton.

On 14 January 2021, Branthwaite joined Championship club Blackburn Rovers on loan for the rest of the 2020–21 season. He made his debut two days later, starting and playing the full ninety minutes in a league game against Stoke City that finished 1–1. Branthwaite's season was ended prematurely on 21 April when he suffered an ankle injury during training. In total, he played in ten league games, all starts, for the Rovers, including nine straight after joining on loan.

On 16 December 2021, Branthwaite made his first Premier League start of the season and scored his first Everton goal in a 1–1 away draw against Chelsea.

2022–present
On 17 July 2022, Branthwaite joined Eredivisie club PSV on a season-long loan. He scored an own goal in the 2023 KNVB Cup final against Ajax. PSV eventually lifted the trophy after winning a penalty shoot-out.

After beginning the 2023–24 season on the bench, Branthwaite started in Everton's third Premier League fixture, a 1–0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 26 August 2023. After his appearance against Wolves, he continued to start in central defence, forming a partnership with team captain James Tarkowski. On 6 October 2023, he signed a new contract with Everton running until June 2027. Branthwaite scored his first goal of the 2023–24 season on 3 February 2024, with an 94th minute equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–2 home draw. At the end of the 2023–24 season, he was voted as Everton's Players' Player and Supporters' Young Player of the Season.

International career
In November 2020, Branthwaite earned his first youth international call-up, being selected for the England national under-19 team.

In August 2021, Branthwaite received a call-up for the England under-20 team. On 6 September, he made his debut ina a 6–1 victory over Romania at St George's Park.

On 17 March 2023, Branthwaite received his first call up to the England under-21 team. On 14 June, he was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship; a tournament England went on to win.

On 14 March 2024, Branthwaite received his first call up to the England senior team. On 3 June 2024, he made his senior team debut as a substitute during a 3–0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina. After having been selected for England's provisional 33-member squad for Euro 2024, he was left out of the final 26-man squad.

Honours
PSV
 * KNVB Cup: 2022–23

England U21
 * UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2023

Individual
 * Everton Young Player of the Season: 2023–24
 * Everton Players' Player of the Season: 2023–24