Michael Forbes (born 29 April 2004) is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a centre-back for Dundee United and the Northern Ireland national team.
Club career West Ham United Forbes is a youth product of Ardboe, Cookstown Youth, and Dungannon Swifts. He joined the youth academy of West Ham United on 24 July 2020 when he signed a scholarship contract with the club. The following season, he captained the U18s and debuted with the U23s in December 2021. He signed his first professional contract with the club on 31 May 2022. He made his first appearance on the senior West Ham squad for a UEFA Conference League match against FCSB on 3 November 2022.
On 5 July 2024, Forbes joined League One club Bristol Rovers on a season-long loan deal. He was recalled on 3 January 2025 to continue rehabilitation from a hamstring injury suffered two weeks prior. On 30 January 2025, he joined League Two side Colchester United on loan for the remainder of the season. During an in-house training match, he once again suffered a hamstring injury requiring surgery, returning to West Ham United in March 2025.
On 25 July 2025, Forbes joined League One side Northampton Town on a season-long loan deal. He made his Northampton debut on 2 August scoring in a 3–1 away defeat to Wigan Athletic.
Forbes was released by West Ham United upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2025–26 season.
Dundee United On 16 June 2026, Forbes agreed to join Scottish Premiership club Dundee United on an initial two-year deal.
International career Forbes is a youth international for Northern Ireland, having played up to the Northern Ireland U21s. After injuries to the senior squad in November 2021, he was called up to train with the senior national team. He debuted with the senior Northern Ireland national team as a late substitute in a 4–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying loss to Finland on 17 November 2023.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWest Ham United U212020–21 ———10102021–22———00002022–23 ———30302023–24 ———30302024–25———0000Total0000007070Bristol Rovers (loan)2024–25 League One70201020120Colchester United (loan)2024–25 League Two0000000000Northampton Town (loan)2025–26 League One222101020252Career total2923020110442
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNorthern Ireland202310Total10
References
External links