Jake Maxwell Wright (born 11 March 1986) is an English footballer, who plays for League One side Brighton & Hove Albion. He started his career with Bradford City, but played only one senior game for them, before he joined Halifax Town where he had previously spent a loan spell. He spent two years at Halifax, but after they were demoted from the Conference National, he moved to Crawley Town in June 2008 before transferring to Brighton in July 2009. He can play at left back or centre back.^[1]

[edit] Career

Born in Keighley, England, Jake Wright started his football career as a youngster with Bradford City and, in April 2005, was one of four defenders to be given a one-year contract.^[2] In August 2005, he and fellow Bradford City player Danny Forrest moved to Conference side Halifax Town on loan—Wright's an initial one-month loan deal.^[3] He made his debut on 10 September 2005, in a 4–0 Conference victory over Tamworth at The Shay.^[4] He twice extended his loan deal,^[5][6] staying with Halifax for three months, during which time he played 11 league games and three cup games, before he returned to Bradford.^[4] Wright made his Bradford debut as a second-half substitute against Colchester United on 4 February 2006, replacing Richard Edghill, who had broken his ankle.^[7] It would be his only senior appearance for Bradford.^[8]

During June 2006, Wright re-joined Halifax this time on a permanent basis, along with Forrest and Hereford United goalkeeper Craig Mawson.^[9] Wright scored his first senior goal to help Halifax to their first home victory of the 2006–07 season, in a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on 19 September 2006.^[10] Wright finished the season with two goals from 27 league games,^[11] before playing a further 36 games the following season.^[12] During the campaign, he picked up his first red card of his career, in a 1–0 defeat to Aldershot Town.^[13] Halifax Town avoided relegation despite a final-day defeat, because Altrincham also lost,^[14] but they faced liquidation and were eventually demoted, giving Altrincham a reprieve.^[15][16] Halifax were demoted and applied to join the Northern Premier League Division One North,^[16] but instead Wright moved back to the Conference National, by signing for Crawley Town in June 2008.^[17] He had played 63 league games for Halifax, during his two years.^[8] After an impressive season making 41 League appearances, Wright attratced the interest of League clubs including Charlton Athletic and Colchester United.^[18][19]

On 27 July 2009, Wright was invited for a trial at League One side Brighton & Hove Albion and featured during the 1–0 pre-season friendly defeat to Torquay United.^[20][21] Brighton beat off competition from an unnamed Scottish Premier League club to sign Wright and completed the transfer with Wright signing a two-year contract with the Seagulls.^[22]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jake Wright career stats at Soccerbase

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