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Wes Harding
Wes Harding
Wes Harding
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Wesley Nathan Hylton Harding (born 20 October 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender, either at right back or centre back, for EFL League One club Plymouth Argyle and the Jamaica national team.

Key Information

Harding made his senior debut in the EFL Cup in August 2017 for Birmingham City, having previously played in the National League North for Alfreton Town. He moved on to Rotherham United in 2020, and was a regular for three years before joining Millwall in 2023.

Early life

[edit]

Harding was born in Leicester[4] and attended Beauchamp College, in Oadby, Leicestershire.[2] He represented Leicestershire and Rutland at athletics.[2]

Harding is a Christian.[5]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]
Harding during his league debut for Birmingham City in March 2018.

Harding joined Birmingham City's Academy from Aston Villa at the age of 16[6] and took up a scholarship with the club in July 2013.[7] Interviewed soon afterwards, the player assessed his strengths as speed and heading, and felt he needed to improve his technical ability.[2] He was a member of the Birmingham team that eliminated Liverpool's youngsters from the 2014–15 FA Youth Cup,[8] going on to lose in the quarter-finals to Leicester City's youngsters.[9] He was a regular in the development squad over the season, and scored the opening goal for the team that won the 2015 Birmingham Senior Cup final.[10] Harding signed his first professional contract, of two years, in May 2015.[6] At the time, academy coach Steve Spooner summarised him as "a 24/7 professional footballer ... strong, aggressive, tenacious and much improved with the ball".[6]

Harding was included in the first team's pre-season training camp in Spain.[11] During the 2015–16 season, he was used at right back as well as his preferred centre-half position,[4] and he was a member of the Birmingham reserve team that lost the 2016 Birmingham Senior Cup final to National League North champions Solihull Moors.[12] He was one of three youngsters – the others were Dom Bernard and Josh Dacres-Cogley – who began their 2016 pre-season training with the first team.[13] On 9 August, Harding joined National League North club Alfreton Town on a month's youth loan.[14] He went straight into the starting eleven for the following day's match against Gainsborough Trinity; playing at right back, he played 90 minutes and produced what Alfreton's website dubbed a solid performance in a 4–0 win.[15] He kept his place for the next two fixtures, but then suffered a torn knee meniscus.[16] Once he regained fitness, he finished the season with more appearances than any other player for Birmingham's under-23 team, which he often captained.[17]

First-team football with Birmingham

[edit]

The club took up the one-year option on Harding's contract for the 2017–18 season,[18] and he was involved in first-team pre-season fixtures.[17] He was given a squad number,[19] and was an unused substitute for the opening match, away to Ipswich Town in the Championship on 5 August 2017.[20] Harding made his senior debut three days later, replacing Emilio Nsue after 58 minutes of the EFL Cup first round match at home to Crawley Town of League Two. The score was 4–0 when he entered the match; it ended 5–1.[21] He also appeared in the next round, replacing the injured Nsue after 23 minutes of the 2–1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth and producing a performance that pleased manager Harry Redknapp.[22][23] In February 2018, having made no appearances in the matchday squad since August,[24] Harding signed a new contract to run until June 2020.[25]

New manager Garry Monk gave Harding his first Football League appearance, a start at right back in Birmingham's 3–0 home victory over Hull City on 17 March 2018 that was their first win in six weeks.[26] He was booked early in the match for a forceful tackle on the highly rated Harry Wilson, then, according to the Birmingham Mail, "shut him down in the second half and made some excellent defensive contributions to help out team-mates. There were a couple of bright moments going forward too."[27] Monk said he selected Harding ahead of more experienced players such as Carl Jenkinson or Marc Roberts because his pace and tenacity would better counteract the threat from Hull's wingers.[28] He continued in the starting eleven as Birmingham escaped relegation on the final day of the season, with a 3–1 win at home to Fulham. Defensively, he allowed Ryan Sessegnon, the Championship Player of the Year, little scope to influence the game,[29][30] and he made a run and cross from which Lukas Jutkiewicz scored the opening goal.[31] Harding's performance in that match earned him a place in the EFL Team of the Week,[29] and his overall performance earned him the club's Young Player of the Season award.[32]

Harding signed a four-year contract in July 2018.[33] He was a regular off the bench in the first few months of the season,[24][34] but did not start until late November away to Aston Villa, playing behind regular left-back Kristian Pedersen who was selected on the wing. The experiment was not a success,[35] but when Harding had to replace the injured Roberts – who was himself only in the side because Michael Morrison was injured – early in the visit to Blackburn Rovers three weeks later, "[having] never played a senior league match at centre half", he performed well.[36] He started more regularly during the second half of the season, mainly at right back, and finished the campaign with 27 league appearances, of which 13 were in the starting eleven.[24] In the 2019–20 season, Birmingham's full backs, Maxime Colin and Pedersen, missed only two league matches apiece, and loanee Jake Clarke-Salter became backup of choice in central defence. Harding was again a regular on the substitutes' bench, but came off it rather less frequently: he finished the season with 15 league appearances, of 7 were as a starter.[37]

Rotherham United

[edit]

Harding joined another Championship club, Rotherham United, on 20 August 2020 on a three-year deal; the fee was undisclosed.[38]

Harding scored his first goal in senior football for Rotherham United in their 2021–22 EFL Trophy quarter-final encounter with Cambridge United on 25 January 2022.[39]

Millwall

[edit]

On 21 July 2023, Harding signed for Championship club Millwall.[40]

International career

[edit]

In March 2021 he was one of six English-born players to receive their first call-up to the Jamaica national team.[41] He made his international debut on 7 June 2021, in a 1–1 friendly draw with Serbia in Miki, Hyōgo, Japan.[42]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 14 February 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2016–17[24] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2017–18[22] Championship 9 0 0 0 2 0 — 11 0
2018–19[43][44] Championship 27[a] 0 1 0 1 0 — 29 0
2019–20[45] Championship 15 0 3 0 1 0 — 19 0
Total 51[a] 0 4 0 4 0 — 59 0
Alfreton Town (loan) 2016–17[24] National League North 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Rotherham United 2020–21[46] Championship 46 0 1 0 1 0 — 48 0
2021–22[47] League One 38 0 3 0 0 0 5[b] 1 46 1
2022–23[48] Championship 43 1 1 0 2 0 — 46 1
Total 127 1 5 0 3 0 5 1 140 2
Millwall 2023–24[49] Championship 24 3 1 0 1 0 — 26 3
2024–25[50] Championship 5 0 2 1 1 0 — 8 1
2025–26[51] Championship 8 0 0 0 3 0 — 11 0
Total 37 3 3 1 5 0 — 45 4
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2025–26 League One 2 0 — — — 2 0
Career total 220 4 12 1 12 0 5 1 249 6
  1. ^ a b c Soccerbase counts the match at Brentford on 2 October 2018, in which Harding was an unused substitute, among his appearances.[43][44]
  2. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy

International

[edit]
As of 30 June 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National Team Year Apps Goals
Jamaica 2021 2 0
2024 1 0
Total 3 0

Honours

[edit]

Rotherham United

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wes Harding

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Wesley Nathan Hylton Harding (born 20 October 1996) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a defender, primarily at centre-back or right-back, for club . Born in , , to Jamaican parents, he holds dual nationality and has represented the national team internationally. Standing at 1.81 metres tall and right-footed, Harding is known for his versatility across the backline and his contributions to defensive solidity in the . Harding's professional career began in the youth system of Birmingham City, where he joined the academy in 2012 after earlier spells in . He gained initial senior experience on a one-month loan to [National League North](/page/National League North) side Town in August 2016, making three appearances during the spell. Harding made his competitive debut for Birmingham in the on 22 August 2017 and went on to feature 51 times for the club across three seasons in the , primarily as a right-back. In August 2020, he transferred to Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract. At Rotherham, Harding became a key player, appearing in 120 matches and scoring twice over three seasons. He played a significant role in the team's promotion from EFL League One to the Championship in the 2021–22 season, finishing second in the league table after 46 matches and contributing 38 league appearances himself. Following Rotherham's relegation in 2022–23, Harding departed as a free agent in July 2023, signing a three-year deal with Millwall, where he has made 36 appearances in the Championship as of November 2025. Internationally, Harding made his debut for Jamaica in 2021 and has earned three senior caps as of November 2025, including appearances in World Cup qualifiers and the 2024 Copa América.

Background

Early life

Wesley Nathan Hylton Harding was born on 20 October 1996 in , , to Jamaican parents. His Jamaican heritage provided a significant cultural connection that would later influence his international eligibility for the Reggae Boyz. Growing up in , Harding was raised in a devout Christian , where family support played a key role in nurturing his early interests. Harding attended Beauchamp College in , , during his formative years. As a schoolboy, he demonstrated considerable talent in athletics, representing and in events, which highlighted his speed and athleticism from a young age. His parents actively encouraged his sporting endeavors, frequently driving him to local training sessions and competitions across the region. Around the age of 10 to 12, Harding shifted his primary focus toward football, inspired by his father's admiration for Brazilian stars like and , as well as his own early experiences playing as a young attacker. He participated in grassroots football with local clubs in , blending his athletic background with a growing passion for the sport before entering organized academy training. This transition laid the groundwork for his subsequent development in professional youth systems.

Personal details

Wes Harding stands at a of 5 ft 11 in (1.81 m) and primarily operates as a right back or centre back in his defensive role. Harding maintains a strong commitment to his Christian faith, which plays a central role in his and influences his approach to challenges both on and off the field. He actively participates in Ballers in God, a ministry supporting young Christian footballers, where he shares insights on integrating faith with professional aspirations. As of the 2025–26 campaign, Harding serves as a Ambassador for Community Trust, contributing to initiatives that promote inclusivity within the local community.

Club career

Youth development

Harding was initially released by City's youth academy at the under-14 level before joining Villa's youth setup, where he spent just over a year without securing a scholarship. At the age of 16, he transferred to Birmingham City's academy in 2012 and signed a with the club in July 2013. During his time in the academy, Harding progressed through the under-18s and under-23s squads, captaining both teams while being coached by Steve Spooner and Richard Beale. To gain competitive experience, he was sent on a one-month youth loan to side Town in August 2016, where he made three appearances before sustaining a knee injury that cut the spell short. Harding's development earned him opportunities to train with Birmingham City's first team, including pre-season matches under manager and a training camp in under in 2015, though he had not yet broken into senior matches.

Birmingham City

Harding made his league debut for Birmingham City on 17 March 2018, starting at right-back in a 3–0 home win against Hull City in the . He had earlier featured as a substitute in the the previous August, marking his senior bow in a 5–1 victory over Crawley Town. In the 2017–18 season, Harding broke into the first team as a regular starter at right-back, providing defensive solidity during a turbulent campaign that ended with Birmingham avoiding relegation by finishing 19th. His breakthrough performances, which included nine league appearances, earned him the club's Young Player of the Season award. Over three full seasons from 2017 to 2020, Harding amassed 60 first-team appearances without scoring a goal, often adapting tactically between right-back and centre-back to bolster Birmingham's defense amid ongoing battles for survival. On 20 August 2020, Harding departed for Rotherham United on a three-year for an undisclosed fee, motivated by the opportunity for consistent playing time under familiar management and a sense that the move "just felt right."

Rotherham United

Harding joined Rotherham United from Birmingham City on 20 August 2020, signing a three-year for an undisclosed fee. Over the next three seasons, he made 127 league appearances and scored 1 league goal, establishing himself as a reliable right-back with versatility across the defense. In the 2020–21 season, Harding featured in all 46 league matches as finished 23rd and suffered relegation. The following year, 2021–22, he played 38 games in League One, contributing to the team's automatic promotion as runners-up with the division's strongest defensive record, conceding just 33 goals in 46 matches. Returning to the in 2022–23, Harding appeared in 43 league fixtures amid a challenging campaign marked by relegation battles, including a spell in the bottom three early on. He scored his sole league for the club in a 3–0 home win over on 14 September 2022, a deflected effort that helped secure an early-season boost. ultimately avoided the drop, finishing 19th with 50 points. Harding's contract expired at the end of the 2022–23 season, leading to his departure as a to in June 2023; his consistent availability—missing few games—and defensive contributions, including 4 assists in 2020–21, were highlighted as factors in attracting interest from higher-placed clubs.

Millwall

Wes Harding signed for on a free transfer from Rotherham United on 21 July 2023, agreeing to a two-year contract that bolstered the club's defensive options ahead of the season. During his debut campaign, Harding featured in 27 matches across all competitions, scoring three goals in a prolific burst across four games in late October and early November 2023, including his first for the club against Plymouth Argyle on 28 October. His versatile performances at right-back and centre-back contributed to Millwall's solid defensive record, helping the team finish 13th in the and secure mid-table stability with five consecutive wins to close the season. The 2024–25 season saw Harding's involvement limited to five league appearances and one goal in the against on 1 March 2025, as he competed for places amid depth. In May 2025, activated a one-year contract option to extend his deal until June 2026, recognizing his utility despite the reduced minutes. Entering the 2025–26 campaign, Harding has emerged as a more regular squad member, making seven league appearances by early November 2025, often as a substitute in tight contests. He has been involved in several clean-sheet efforts, including a 1–0 victory over Swansea City in September, and stepped in effectively during recent fixtures such as the 2–2 draw at Oxford United on 1 November, where he replaced an injured teammate late in the game. No significant injuries have sidelined him this season, allowing consistent contributions to Millwall's early push for a playoff position. As of November 2025, Harding has recorded 40 appearances and four goals in total for the club across all competitions.

International career

Eligibility and debut

Born in , , Wes Harding was eligible to represent at the international level through his father, whose family originates from the island nation. Despite his English birth and upbringing, Harding opted to play for the Reggae Boyz, announcing his commitment in early 2021 amid Jamaica's efforts to recruit talent. This decision aligned with FIFA's eligibility regulations, which permit players to switch national teams if they have not made competitive senior appearances or participated in more than three youth internationals for another association before age 21. Harding received his first senior call-up to the squad in March 2021 for a friendly against the . Although part of the squad, Harding did not feature in the March 25, 2021, match. He joined a in May 2021 ahead of friendlies in as part of preparations for the qualifiers, with Harding traveling with the squad on May 29 for sessions focused on defensive organization and physical conditioning. He made his senior international debut on 7 2021, starting as a right-back in a friendly against at Miki Athletic Stadium in , which ended in a 1–1 draw. Playing the full 90 minutes, Harding delivered a composed performance, effectively partnering with Oneil Fisher on the right flank and making several key defensive interventions to help maintain Jamaica's defensive shape against a physically demanding opponent.

Subsequent international appearances

Following his debut, Harding earned his second cap for Jamaica in a qualifying match against on September 5, 2021, starting at right-back in a 0–3 home defeat at Independence Park in Kingston. He played 72 minutes before being substituted by , contributing to the defensive line amid a challenging performance where Jamaica struggled with Panama's counter-attacks. Harding then experienced a three-year absence from the national team, during which he focused on his club career with Rotherham United and later , accumulating no further caps between late 2021 and mid-2024. He returned to the squad for the as a guest invitee, expressing surprise and gratitude at the unexpected call-up after what he described as a "long, gruelling time away." In the tournament, held in the United States, Harding made his third appearance in Jamaica's final group stage match against on July 1, 2024, at in , starting as a right in a 0–3 loss that confirmed the Reggae Boyz's elimination with three defeats in the group. He played 67 minutes, shifting from his typical defensive role to provide width and support in attack while aiding transitions, though Jamaica conceded early and failed to score. This brought his total international caps to three, all without goals, as of November 2025, with no additional appearances recorded through World Cup qualifiers or friendlies.

Career statistics

Club statistics

As of 11 November 2025, Wes Harding has made 261 club appearances and scored 5 goals across all competitions. The following table provides a breakdown of his appearances and goals in league competitions by season and club. Data includes loan periods, such as his time at Alfreton Town.
SeasonClubCompetitionAppearancesGoals
2016–17Alfreton Town (loan)National League North30
2017–18Birmingham CityChampionship90
2018–19Birmingham CityChampionship270
2019–20Birmingham CityChampionship150
2020–21Rotherham UnitedChampionship460
2021–22Rotherham UnitedLeague One380
2022–23Rotherham UnitedChampionship431
2023–24MillwallChampionship243
2024–25MillwallChampionship250
2025–26MillwallChampionship70
In domestic cup competitions, Harding has recorded 24 appearances and 1 goal in total, primarily in the (12 appearances, 1 goal) and (12 appearances, 0 goals).

International statistics

Harding has earned three caps for the senior national team, with no goals scored, as of 2025. His limited international appearances reflect a focus on club commitments at , where he has prioritized domestic performances since his debut call-up in 2021. No youth international appearances for have been recorded. The following table summarizes his senior international appearances:
DateOpponentCompetitionMinutes PlayedGoals
6 July 2021International Friendly900
6 September 2021700
1 July 2024670
Career totals: 3 appearances, 0 goals.

Honours and awards

Team honours

During his tenure with Rotherham United from 2020 to 2023, Harding contributed to the team's defensive efforts as they achieved promotion to the by finishing second in the season, accumulating 90 points from 46 matches. He featured in 47 appearances across all competitions that campaign, helping secure automatic promotion alongside the league's top two spots. Rotherham also lifted the 2021–22 EFL Trophy, overcoming Sutton United 4–2 after extra time in the final at on 3 April 2022. Harding appeared in the tournament, including scoring in the quarter-final against Cambridge United and substituting in during the final. No further collective team achievements, such as titles or promotions, were attained by Birmingham City during Harding's time there from 2017 to 2020, nor by since his arrival in 2023.

Individual awards

During his breakthrough season with Birmingham City in 2017–18, Harding was named the club's Young Player of the Season, recognizing his impactful debut appearances as an academy product who contributed to the first team's defensive efforts. At Rotherham United, Harding earned the Player of the Year award for the 2020–21 season, as voted by supporters and highlighted at The Star's Football Awards, acknowledging his consistent performances in 35 league appearances that helped stabilize the team's backline amid relegation.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/wes-harding/profil/spieler/526694
  2. https://fbref.com/en/players/45ac6fe1/Wes-Harding
  3. https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/260874/wes-harding
  4. https://www.transfermarkt.us/wes-harding/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/526694
  5. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/wes-harding/
  6. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53851008
  7. https://fbref.com/en/squads/375d66f1/2021-2022/Rotherham-United-Stats
  8. https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/wes-harding-makes-full-jamaica-debut-as-rotherham-united-players-feature-in-international-matches-4308654
  9. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/millwall-wes-harding-efl-championship-31537531
  10. https://www.thesportsdb.com/player/34173612-wes-harding
  11. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wes-harding-contract-blues-villa-14430617
  12. https://www.facebook.com/ballersingod/posts/in-this-weeks-big-pro-session-millwalls-wes-harding-shared-a-powerful-truthlord-/1152764780369953/
  13. https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2025/october/16/millwall-community-trust-confirms-pfa-player-ambassadors-for-the-2025-26-campaign/
  14. https://www.fotmob.com/players/865934/wes-harding
  15. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/birmingham-city/wes-harding-14687/league-appearances_a38020/
  16. https://publish-dev.bcfc.com/news/articles/2020/wes-harding-joins-rotherham-united/
  17. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44695745
  18. https://www.transfermarkt.us/wes-harding/leistungsdaten/spieler/526694
  19. https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2020/august/signing--millers-complete-move-for-birmingham-city-defender/
  20. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/rotherham-united/wes-harding-14687/league-appearances_a45668/
  21. https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2022/may/the-class-of-202122--and-why-they-will-go-down-in-rotherham-united-history/
  22. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12697275/rotherham-3-0-blackpool-chiedozie-ogbene-wes-harding-and-georgie-kelly-steer-millers-to-victory
  23. https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/wesnathanhyltonharding
  24. https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/21/wes-harding-signs-for-millwall/
  25. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66272096
  26. https://fbref.com/en/squads/e3c537a1/2023-2024/Millwall-Stats
  27. https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/19/millwall-confirm-2024-25-retained-list-confirmed/
  28. https://the72.co.uk/2025/05/07/millwall-take-action-wes-harding-contract-option/
  29. https://footystats.org/players/england/wes-harding
  30. https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2025/november/04/report---birmingham-city-v-millwall/
  31. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c781vwz1v72o
  32. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/25/jamaica-turn-to-england-raised-talent-in-glory-hunt-world-cup
  33. https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20210317/jff-names-team-usa-friendly
  34. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20210529/boyz-thoroughly-briefed-ahead-japan-trip
  35. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2021/06/10/reggae-boy-harding-preaches-love-of-football-and-christ/
  36. https://footballfromyard.com/f/jamaica-vs-serbia-match-review
  37. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2021/09/05/setback-20231114-0056-193175/
  38. https://jamaica-star.com/article/sports/20240618/harding-pleased-reggae-boyz-opportunity
  39. https://southwarknews.co.uk/sport/football/millwall/harding-jamaica-cop-america/
  40. https://www.transfermarkt.us/wes-harding/nationalmannschaft/spieler/526694
  41. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/apr/03/rotherham-sutton-united-papa-johns-trophy-final-match-report-wembley
  42. https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/all-the-winners-at-the-stars-football-awards-3332900
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