Joseph William John Taylor (born 18 November 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Huddersfield Town and the Wales international team.
Club career King's Lynn Town Taylor began his career in the academy at Norwich City, before being released at the age of 15. Taylor signed for King's Lynn Town at the age of 16.
Taylor signed a one-year contract extension King's Lynn in December 2020. Taylor joined Eastern Counties League Premier Division club Wroxham on loan ahead of the 2021–22 season, making his debut on the opening day against Walsham-le-Willows. In his first home match, Taylor scored a hat-trick as his side thrashed Thetford Town 7–2. In October 2021, Taylor was recalled by King's Lynn after scoring 21 goals in just thirteen appearances and made his National League debut off of the bench in a 1–0 home defeat to Solihull Moors.
Peterborough United On 15 November 2021, Taylor joined Championship club Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal, initially joining up with the club's under-23 squad. In December 2021, it was reported that Taylor had been impressing in the under-23 squad and would begin training with the first-team. After scoring a hat-trick in a Premier League Cup quarter-final victory against Charlton Athletic, Taylor made his first-team debut four days later on 8 March 2022 in a 1–1 draw with second-placed AFC Bournemouth.
He scored his first goal for Peterborough in an EFL Cup win over Plymouth Argyle on 10 August 2022.
Luton Town On 31 January 2023, Taylor signed for Championship club Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.
On 5 August 2023, Taylor signed for League Two club Colchester United on a season-long loan. He was recalled from his loan on 8 January 2024.
On 9 January 2024, Taylor signed for League One club Lincoln City for the remainder of the season. He made his debut the following weekend in the 1–1 draw against Wycombe Wanderers. He scored his first goal against Exeter City on 17 February 2024 to secure a 1–0 win. He won the EFL League One Player of the Month and the EFL Young Player of the Month for March 2024, following 6 goals and an assist which included his first professional hat-trick in the 5–0 win over Bristol Rovers. He would win Lincoln City's Golden Boot, after scoring 10 goals in his 19 games for the club.
Huddersfield Town On 10 January 2025, Taylor signed for League One club Huddersfield Town on a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee. He scored on his debut in a draw away to Blackpool on 17 January 2025.
On 15 January 2026, Taylor signed for fellow League One club Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the season. He scored his first goal in a draw away to Doncaster Rovers on 24 January 2026.
Taylor resumed his position as main striker with Huddersfield under new coach Martin Drury at the start of 2026/27 season scoring 5 goals from the first 4 league games.
International career Taylor is eligible for Wales through his grandmother.
In September 2022 Taylor made his debut for the Wales national under-21 football team in the starting line-up for the 2–0 friendly match defeat against Austria under-21.James Wales under 21 call upTaylor Wales under-21 debut
In September 2026 he was called up to the senior Wales squad for the first time.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKing's Lynn Town2021–22National League1000—0010Wroxham (loan)2021–22Eastern Counties Premier Division112010—111321Peterborough United2021–22Championship40000000402022–23League One80102140151Total24202021513322Luton Town2022–23Championship50000010602023–24Premier League00000000002024–25Championship130000000130Total180000010190Colchester United (loan)2023–24League Two25111011002712Lincoln City (loan)2023–24League One1910——001910Huddersfield Town2024–25League One1520000001522025–26League One194102053277Total346102053429Wigan Athletic (loan)2025–26League One211110——2211Career total14058505211416264
Honours Luton Town EFL Championship play-offs: 2023
Individual EFL League One Player of the Month: March 2024 EFL Young Player of the Month: March 2024
References