Gavin Whyte

It took Gavin Whyte a mere 106 seconds to make his mark on the international stage when he scored on his debut in the 3-0 win over Israel at the National Stadium at Windsor Park.

The former Crusaders’ player was given his first cap after being introduced as a 65^th minute substitute by Michael O’Neill and with his first touch of the ball he calmly struck Northern Ireland’s final goal in a comfortable friendly victory in September 2018.

The pacy winger learnt his trade in the Irish League with Crusaders making a total of 162 appearances and scoring 50 goals over four seasons with the North Belfast outfit as well as winning three league titles with the club.

His performances for the Crues during the 2017/18 campaign earned him the Ulster Footballer of the Year award and the NIFW Player of the Year awards.

A move ‘across the water’ was now deemed  inevitable and at one stage a transfer to Leeds United looked on the cards, however the 22-year-old eventually realised his dream by sealing a three-year deal with League One side Oxford United in July 2018.

Whyte, who has also won seven caps at under-21 level for Northern Ireland, was an instant success at the Kassam Stadium scoring three goals in his opening five outings for the club.

In April 2019 he scored his first hat-trick for Oxford United when they defeated Shrewsbury Town 3-2 in a League One contest at Greenhous Meadow.

Whyte agreed a four-year deal with Championship club Cardiff City in July 2019. 

In January 2021 League One Hull City signed Whyte on loan from Cardiff City. Managed by former Northern Ireland midfielder Grant McCann, Whyte was an integral part of the squad which won the EFL League One title and, with it, promotion to the Championship. 

In July 2021 Whyte returned to former club Oxford United on a season-long loan.

In May 2022 Whyte announced on his Instagram that his time at Cardiff City had come to an end.