Ethan Stuart William Galbraith (born 11 May 2001) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for club Stoke City and the Northern Ireland national team.
Galbraith left Linfield to join the Manchester United academy in 2017. He made his first-team debut for United in a UEFA Europa League match against Astana in November 2019. He spent the 2021–22 season on loan at Doncaster Rovers. Galbraith represented Northern Ireland at under-17, under-19, under-21 levels. He made his senior international debut at the age of 18, against Luxembourg, in September 2019.
Club career Manchester United Galbraith played for Carnmoney Colts, Ballyclare Comrades, Glentoran, Crusaders and Linfield in his youth. In 2017, he left Linfield and joined the youth academy of English club Manchester United on a one-year scholarship, before signing a two-year professional contract with the club in May 2018. On 28 November 2019, he made his senior debut in a UEFA Europa League match against Kazakh team Astana, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Tahith Chong. In October 2020, Galbraith signed a new three-year contract with United, with the option of an extra year.
He joined League One club Doncaster Rovers on a season-long loan in August 2021. On 26 October, Galbraith scored his first goal for Doncaster, scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Cambridge United with a strike from 30 yards. Manager Richie Wellens praised his performances, predicting that he would go on to have a long and successful career. Galbraith described his spell at Doncaster as a "great experience" despite the team being relegated.
On 1 September 2022, Galbraith joined League Two side Salford City on a season-long loan, managed by former United youth coach Neil Wood. He scored his first goal for the club on 8 October in a 1–0 win against Northampton Town, Salford's first win against their opponents.
On 16 May 2023, Galbraith confirmed that he will leave Manchester United at the end of 2022–23 season.
Leyton Orient On 29 June 2023, Galbraith signed for Leyton Orient, rejoining former manager Richie Wellens.
Swansea City On 4 July 2025, Galbraith signed for Swansea City for an undisclosed fee and on a three-year contract, with an option for an additional 12 months. He made his debut on 9 August 2025, starting in a 0–1 loss against Middlesbrough. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 EFL Cup first round win over Crawley Town, scoring the third in stoppage time via a volley from outside of the box.
Stoke City On 1 July 2026, Galbraith joined Stoke City for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.
International career Galbraith made five appearances for Northern Ireland at under-17 level and three appearances at under-19 level. He has made 19 appearances and scored one goal at under-21 level. Galbraith made his senior international debut at the age of 18 on 5 September 2019, in a friendly match against Luxembourg which finished as a 1–0 win.
Playing style Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough described Galbraith as the country's version of Spanish international midfielders Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. Neil Wood has described him as technically gifted, and as a player who "can pick a pass and has all the different varieties of delivery".
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United U212019–20—————31312020–21—————1010Total000000004141Manchester United2019–20Premier League00000010—102020–21Premier League00000000—002021–22Premier League00000000—002022–23Premier League00000000—00Total000000100010Doncaster Rovers (loan)2021–22League One3311000—20361Salford City (loan)2022–23League Two3242000—40384Leyton Orient2023–24League One3942010—314552024–25League One3964030—50516Total7810604000819611Swansea City2025-26Championship3931041——444Stoke City2026-27Championship830020——103Career total190211001011018222924
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNorthern Ireland201910202010202420202580202670Total190
References
External links
Profile at the Leyton Orient F.C. website