Gary Martin (footballer)

Gary Martin
	File:Gary Martin Vikingur.jpg
Personal information
Full name	Gary John Martin
Date of birth	10 October 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth	Darlington, England
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Lillestrøm
Number	19
Youth career
2007–2009	Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years	Team
2009–2010	Middlesbrough
2010	→ Újpest (loan)
2010–2012	ÍA
2012–2015	KR
2016-	Víkingur
2016-	→ Lillestrøm (loan)
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 November 2016

Gary John Martin (born 10 October 1990) is an English football player who currently plays as a striker for Lillestrøm Sportsklubb in the Tippeliga, the highest division of Norwegian football.

Career

Born in Darlington, County Durham, Martin started his career with Middlesbrough, where he came through the club's youth system and was given a youth team scholarship (YTS) in 2007. He was a prolific goalscorer at both youth and reserve levels, scoring 19 goals in 39 matches for the academy team, and 17 goals in 26 appearances for the reserve side.^[1] In the summer of 2009, his YTS was extended by a year along with those of three other players,^[2] and in the build-up to the 2009–10 season he played with the first team in a number of pre-season friendly matches, including a start in the 3–0 win against Macclesfield Town.^[3] Following a short work experience loan at Northampton Town, in February 2010 Martin joined Hungarian side Újpest on loan until the end of the season.^[4] He went on to make two league appearances during his spell in Hungary, coming on as a substitute in the 4–1 home win against Diósgyőr and the 0–1 defeat at Lombard-Pápa.^[5]

After being released by Middlesbrough in June 2010 on 23 July 2010, he signed with Icelandic 1. deild karla outfit ÍA, initially on a short-term contract to the end of the campaign.^[1] He made his debut five days later, coming on as a second-half substitute for Stefán Örn Arnarson in the 1–1 draw with Fjölnir,^[6] and scored his first goal for the club two weeks afterwards in the 2–2 draw away at Þór Akureyri.^[7]

After two successful seasons, Icelandic Champions KR bought Martin for a nominal fee. In the 2013 season KR again won the Icelandic championship, with Martin being joint top scorer in the league. Due to his strong performances he was named the best foreign player in the league and was selected in the "Team of the year". During the season Martin also made his first appearance in the UEFA Europa League scoring his first goal in that competition against Glentoran.

On 10 August 2016, Martin signed for Norwegian Tippeligaen club Lillestrøm SK on loan for the remainder of the 2016 season, joining up with his former coach at KR; Runar Kristinsson

References

^ ^a ^b Magnús Már Einarsson (23 July 2010). "ÍA fær framherja frá Middlesbrough (staðfest)" (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 15 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
^ Eric Paylor (5 June 2009). "Young stars sign up". Middlesbrough Gazette.
^ Scott Wilson (20 July 2009). "Southgate turns down Emirates bid for Alves". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
^ "Middelsbrough loan Gary Martin to Hungarian top-flight side Ujpest". BBC Sport. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
^ "England - G. Martin". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
^ "Fjölnir 1–1 ÍA" (in Icelandic). KSÍ. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
^ Jón Stefán Jónsson (13 August 2010). "Umfjöllun: Allt vitlaust vegna slakrar dómgæslu í jafntefli Þórs og ÍA". Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 16 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

[ÍA-1] Magnús Már Einarsson (23 July 2010). "ÍA fær framherja frá Middlesbrough (staðfest)" (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 15 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

[2] Eric Paylor (5 June 2009). "Young stars sign up". Middlesbrough Gazette.

[3] Scott Wilson (20 July 2009). "Southgate turns down Emirates bid for Alves". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 15 July 2013.

[4] "Middelsbrough loan Gary Martin to Hungarian top-flight side Ujpest". BBC Sport. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2013.

[soccerway-5] "England - G. Martin". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 July 2013.

[6] "Fjölnir 1–1 ÍA" (in Icelandic). KSÍ. 28 July 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2013.

[7] Jón Stefán Jónsson (13 August 2010). "Umfjöllun: Allt vitlaust vegna slakrar dómgæslu í jafntefli Þórs og ÍA". Fótbolti.net. Retrieved 16 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

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