Jason Knight (footballer)

Jason Paul Knight (born 13 February 2001) is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Bristol City and for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Early career
Knight began his career at Cabinteely, playing for the club from age 4. He was signed by Derby County at age 16.

Derby County
During the 2018–19 season, Knight was a part of Derby's U18 Premier League title success. He was an unused substitute in Derby's play-off second leg against Leeds United and the final against Aston Villa in which Derby missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

In the 2019–20 season under a new manager, Phillip Cocu, Knight was a regular in the first team squad and made his first team debut on 5 August 2019 in a 2–1 win away at Huddersfield Town. He scored twice in a 2–1 win over Charlton Athletic on 30 December 2019. On 22 January 2020, he signed a new contract with Derby running until June 2023. Knight made 35 appearances during the season, scoring six goals as Derby finished 10th in the table.

The 2020–21 season was a struggle for the club as Cocu was sacked in November 2020. Knight played 45 times scoring twice in the league against Millwall and Birmingham City both in December 2020. On 16 January 2021, Knight was handed his first captaincy for Derby County, in Wayne Rooney's first game as coach against Rotherham United. At the end of the season, Derby avoid relegation by one point.

In the 2021–22 pre-season, Knight received an ankle injury after a tackle by Rooney in training, which meant he missed the entire pre-season and opening month of the regular season. He returned just before Derby's season was brought into further turmoil when the club was placed into administration in September 2021, ensuring a deduction of 12 points, a further nine point deduction was imposed in November 2021. Knight made his 100th appearance for the club in 2–0 win over Sheffield United on 15 January 2022. He scored twice in 39 appearances during the season, but the club was not able to overcome the 21 point deduction and was relegated to EFL League One in April 2022.

In the 2022–23 season season, Knight was often deployed as a right wing back by the interim manager Liam Rosenior, showing his versatility as a player. After Paul Warne was appointed manager in September 2022, Knight returned to his regular midfield role and, after an impressive performance against Port Vale, Warne described Knight as a "joy to watch". Knight scored three times in 47 appearances during a season in which Derby missed the play-offs by one point; one of these goals was in his 150th appearance for Derby in a 5–0 win over Morecambe on 4 February 2023. At the end of the 2022–23 season, an option was activated on Knight's contract, triggering an extension until June 2024.

Bristol City
Knight joined Bristol City on 11 July 2023, signing a four-year contract as an undisclosed fee was agreed between the clubs. He scored his first goals for Bristol City when he scored twice in a 5-1 win over Oxford United in the EFL Cup on 9 August 2023. On the 1st September 2023, it was announced that Knight had been voted August's Player of the Month by season ticket holders and city members. Knight secured 50% of the votes.

International career
Knight has represented Ireland at every level from under-15 up to under-21 and made his debut for the senior team away to Finland on 14 October 2020. He made his full debut against Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League on 18 November 2020. He scored his first senior international goal on 3 June 2021 in a 4–1 win over Andorra in a friendly at the Estadi Nacional.

Personal life
Knight was educated at Clonkeen College in Deansgrange, Dublin. His brother, Kevin Knight, is also a footballer, a former Leicester City youth and Republic of Ireland under-19 international, he also played with the League of Ireland with Bray Wanderers, Cabinteely, Shamrock Rovers B, Athlone Town and Longford Town.

International

 * Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Knight goal.

Honours
Individual
 * FAI Under-18 International Player of the Year: 2019
 * FAI Under-16 International Player of the Year: 2017