Isaac Price
Isaac Price (born 26 September 2003) is an English-born professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion and the Northern Ireland national team.[1][2][3] Price began his youth career at Everton, joining the club's academy at age seven and progressing through the ranks to feature for the under-23 side.[4] In 2023, he transferred to Belgian club Standard Liège, where he made his senior professional debut and gained experience in the Belgian Pro League over 18 months.[5] He returned to English football in January 2025, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with West Bromwich Albion from Standard Liège, marking a significant step in his development as a versatile, box-to-box midfielder.[6][4] Internationally, Price qualifies for Northern Ireland through his paternal grandmother and has represented the nation at various youth levels, including under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-21 teams.[1] He earned his first senior call-up for European qualifiers in March 2023. As of November 2025, he has accumulated 26 caps and 10 goals, becoming the youngest player in Northern Ireland history to score 10 international goals, including a notable strike against Germany in September 2025.[5][7][8] At club level with West Brom, Price has established himself as a key performer, contributing 1 goal and 1 assist in 15 matches during the second half of the 2024-25 season, and in the 2025-26 campaign, he has added 5 goals and 2 assists in 15 matches as of November 2025.[9][10][11]Early and personal life
Early years
Isaac Jude Price was born on 26 September 2003 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England.[6] He grew up in nearby Wakefield, where he was immersed in the local football culture of the region during his early childhood.[12] Price developed an interest in football from a young age before formal training. His early exposure to the game in the competitive environment of West Yorkshire helped develop his skills and passion, setting the foundation for a professional path. Price has Northern Irish ancestry through his paternal grandmother, who was born in Belfast.[13] In 2010, at the age of seven, Price joined the Everton academy, marking the beginning of his structured youth development in professional football.[12] This move to the Merseyside club's Finch Farm facility provided him with advanced coaching and opportunities to progress through the ranks.[14]Family and ancestry
Isaac Price's family heritage includes roots in Northern Ireland and Germany. His paternal grandmother was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before moving to England, which forms a key part of his descent on that side of the family.[15] This ancestry, combined with German heritage from the other side, grants him eligibility to represent England (by birth), Northern Ireland, and Germany at the international level.[6] Despite being born in Pontefract, England, Price opted to play for Northern Ireland, a decision heavily influenced by his family's background and personal connections. His grandmother played a pivotal role in this choice, as he has noted in interviews, crediting her for fostering his affinity toward the nation.[15] Price has emphasized the emotional significance of his heritage, stating, "My grandma had a big influence on it but also the commitment Northern Ireland showed to me," and affirming, "There was no real doubt I wanted to play for Northern Ireland."[15] He further described his bond with the team, saying, "Anyone who asks me will get the same answer: I love playing here and I love the group of lads here," underscoring how his heritage shapes his cultural identity and international allegiance.[15] Little public information is available regarding Price's parents or siblings, with no known football connections among immediate family members.[16]Club career
Everton
Price joined the Everton academy at the age of seven and progressed through the youth ranks at Finch Farm.[14] He achieved a significant breakthrough with the Under-18s during the 2020–21 season, establishing himself as a key central midfielder under the coaching of Leighton Baines, a former Everton full-back who guided the youth setup.[14] Price demonstrated versatility and energy in midfield, contributing goals and assists in matches such as a Premier League 2 game against Manchester United Under-18s, where he scored in a multi-goal victory.[17] His rapid development led to accelerated promotion between the U18 and U23 squads, with Baines praising his box-to-box style and potential for senior involvement.[14] By the end of the season, Price had signed his first professional contract in September 2020, securing his future at the club for three years.[18] Price's strong form at youth level earned him opportunities with Everton's reserve side, where he featured regularly for the Under-21s in Premier League 2 during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 campaigns, amassing over 30 appearances and contributing to several victories. No loan spells were arranged during his Everton tenure, as the club focused on his internal development amid limited senior pathways.[14] Price made his senior debut for Everton on 3 March 2022, entering as an 89th-minute substitute in a 2–0 FA Cup fifth-round win against Boreham Wood at Goodison Park.[19] He recorded two Premier League substitute appearances during his time at the club: a 78th-minute replacement for Tom Davies in a 5–1 defeat to Arsenal on 22 May 2022, marking his top-flight bow on the final day of the 2021–22 season; and a brief outing in a 1–4 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on 3 January 2023. These limited exposures highlighted his emergence but underscored the challenges of breaking into Frank Lampard's and later Sean Dyche's first-team plans.[14] Seeking greater first-team opportunities to further his development, Price departed Everton in the summer of 2023 upon the expiry of his contract, joining Standard Liège on a free transfer despite the club's offer of a new deal.[20] Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell acknowledged Price's talent but supported his decision to pursue regular senior minutes abroad.[21]Standard Liège
Isaac Price joined Standard Liège on 10 June 2023, signing a four-year contract on a free transfer after his Everton deal expired, though Everton received around £400,000 in training compensation.[22][23] The move represented a significant step for the 19-year-old midfielder, who sought regular first-team football in a competitive European league to accelerate his development.[24] In his debut season (2023–24), Price made his first-team bow on 30 July 2023, starting in a 1–0 league defeat to Sint-Truiden in the Belgian Pro League.[25] Adapting to the physical demands and tactical nuances of Belgian football presented initial challenges, including adjusting to a new culture and learning basic French, which he described as a "big leap" but ultimately beneficial for his growth.[26] Despite these hurdles and an up-and-down campaign marked by Standard Liège's mid-table position, Price established himself as a regular, making 39 appearances across all competitions, including 37 in the Pro League.[27] His box-to-box midfield style contributed to the team's energy, highlighted by his first professional goal—a dramatic 90th-minute winner in a 2–1 home victory over Club Brugge on 8 October 2023.[1][26] During the 2024–25 season, Price took on an increased role in the squad, becoming a key starter in midfield as Standard Liège aimed to climb the standings.[28] He featured in 24 matches before his departure, including 22 in the Pro League, though he did not add to his goal tally.[27] Over his 18-month tenure, Price amassed 63 appearances and 1 goal in total, gaining valuable experience in European competition that honed his versatility and decision-making.[29][6] Price left Standard Liège on 22 January 2025, transferring to West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee—reportedly around €2 million—on a four-and-a-half-year deal.[30][31] The move was motivated by his desire to return to English football, having become homesick after time abroad.[32] Standard Liège's manager Ivan Leko supported the decision, praising Price's professionalism and predicting further success back in England.[32]West Bromwich Albion
On 22 January 2025, Isaac Price signed for West Bromwich Albion from Standard Liège on a four-and-a-half-year contract until June 2029 for a reported fee of £2.5 million.[30][33][6] Price quickly integrated into the squad, establishing himself as a box-to-box midfielder in the EFL Championship. His previous experience in Belgium enhanced his versatility, allowing him to adapt swiftly to the physical demands of English second-tier football. As of November 2025, he has made 31 appearances across all competitions for West Brom since joining, scoring 6 goals.[34][27] Key moments in Price's time at West Brom include his first goal for the club on 15 March 2025, a late equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Hull City that helped secure a vital point in the 2024–25 promotion race.[35] In the 2025–26 season, he has been instrumental in the team's promotion push, scoring standout goals such as a second-half winner against Preston North End on 18 October 2025 in a 2–1 victory and the opener in a 2–1 defeat to Watford on 22 October 2025, alongside providing assists that have contributed to West Brom's position in the top six of the Championship standings.[36][37][38] As of November 2025, Price remains under contract until 2029, with his performances attracting interest from Premier League clubs, positioning him as a key asset in West Brom's ongoing efforts to return to the top flight.[39][40]International career
Youth international career
Price's international journey began at the youth level with Northern Ireland, where he received his first call-up to the under-16 team in 2018.[1] Eligible through his grandmother from Belfast, he made two appearances for the U16 side, gaining initial experience in competitive fixtures without registering a goal. This early involvement marked the start of his progression through the national youth setup, focusing on developing his midfield skills in a team environment.[41] Advancing to the under-17 team in 2019, Price earned two caps, continuing to build his tactical awareness and physical conditioning against international opposition. By 2021, at age 17, he transitioned to the under-19 squad, where he featured prominently in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying campaign for the 2021–22 season. Price played in all three group stage matches, including encounters against stronger European sides, demonstrating composure on the ball and contributing to the team's defensive structure despite Northern Ireland's elimination from the tournament.[27] His displays in these qualifiers highlighted his potential as a versatile central midfielder, with consistent starts underscoring his growing reliability. In 2022, Price was promoted to the under-21 team, making three appearances as he adapted to a higher level of physicality and pace. These outings served as a crucial bridge to senior football, with his youth form—marked by strong passing accuracy and work rate—impressing national team selectors.[42] Across all youth levels, Price accumulated 10 caps without scoring, emphasizing developmental milestones over individual accolades and paving the way for his senior integration based on consistent performances.Senior international career
Isaac Price earned his first senior call-up to the Northern Ireland national team in March 2023, following a strong progression through the youth ranks.[12] He made his senior debut on 23 March 2023, coming off the bench in a 2-0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying victory over San Marino.[3][43] Price scored his first international goal on 8 September 2023, equalizing in a 2-2 draw against Slovenia during the same qualifying campaign.[1] He added another goal later that year on 20 November 2023, opening the scoring in a 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Denmark.[44][45] His most notable performance came on 15 October 2024, when he scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 UEFA Nations League victory against Bulgaria, becoming the first Northern Ireland player to achieve this feat since 2007.[46][47] Price played a pivotal role in Northern Ireland's 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C campaign, scoring four goals across six matches to help secure promotion to League B by topping Group C3.[48][49] He contributed a goal in the final group match, a 2-2 draw away to Luxembourg on 18 November 2024, which confirmed the promotion.[49] In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Price scored against Germany on 7 September 2025 in a 3–1 defeat, marking his 10th international goal and making him the youngest player in Northern Ireland history to reach that milestone.[8] He started in the 2–0 home win over Slovakia on 10 October 2025 and played the full 90 minutes in the 0–1 away loss to Slovakia on 14 November 2025.[50][51] As of 14 November 2025, Price has accumulated 27 caps and 10 goals for Northern Ireland.[52] He has established himself as a regular starter in the senior squad, often deployed in central midfield where his goal-scoring prowess and energy have been key assets.[53][41]Career statistics
Club statistics
Isaac Price's club statistics encompass his senior appearances across league and domestic cup competitions for Everton, Standard Liège, and West Bromwich Albion, totaling 100 appearances and 10 goals as of 16 November 2025.[54] These figures exclude youth and reserve team matches but include assists and disciplinary records where documented.[55]By Club
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Minutes Played (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everton | 2022–2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 180 |
| Standard Liège | 2022–2024 | 59 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3,200 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 2024–present | 38 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2,700 |
| Career Total | 100 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6,080 |
Breakdown by Competition
Price's contributions vary by competition, with limited exposure in top-tier English football and more consistent involvement in the Belgian Pro League and EFL Championship. In the Premier League (Everton), he recorded 2 appearances and 0 goals. For the FA Cup, 1 appearance (0 goals). In the Belgian Pro League (Standard Liège), he featured in 50 matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists, alongside 9 cup appearances (0 goals, 1 assist).[54] At West Bromwich Albion, in the EFL Championship, he has 30 appearances, 8 goals, and 4 assists as of 16 November 2025, with 6 EFL Cup/FA Cup appearances (1 goal, 1 assist) and 3 yellow cards.[54] Overall, his goal-scoring rate stands at approximately 0.10 goals per appearance, reflecting a developing midfield role with increasing impact in the second tier of English football.[56]International statistics
Isaac Price has earned 27 caps for the Northern Ireland senior national team since his debut in March 2023, scoring 10 goals and providing 1 assist as of 14 November 2025.[3][57] The following table summarizes his senior international appearances by competition:| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Euro Qualifiers | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| UEFA Nations League | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| International Friendlies | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 27 | 10 | 1 |
- 7 September 2023: vs Slovenia (UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier, 2–4 loss), 1 goal (equalizer).
- 20 November 2023: vs Denmark (UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier, 0–2 loss), 1 goal.[57]
- 15 October 2024: vs Bulgaria (UEFA Nations League, 0–5 win), hat-trick (3 goals).[57]
- 18 November 2024: vs Luxembourg (UEFA Nations League, 2–2 draw), 1 goal.[57]
- 21 March 2025: vs Switzerland (International Friendly, 1–1 draw), 1 goal.[57]
- 25 March 2025: vs Sweden (International Friendly, 1–5 loss), 1 goal.[57]
- 10 June 2025: vs Iceland (International Friendly, 0–1 win), 1 goal.[57]
- 7 September 2025: vs Germany (FIFA World Cup Qualifier, 1–3 loss), 1 goal.[57][8]