Adam John May (born 6 December 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for club Eastbourne Borough.
Born in Southampton, May progressed through Portsmouth's youth categories. He signed a two-year scholarship contract on 4 July 2014.
May made his League Two debut on 18 April 2015, coming on as a late substitute for fellow youth graduate Ben Close in a 0âÂÂ1 home defeat against Bury. On 1 August he signed a one-year professional deal with Pompey, being promoted to the main squad.
On 30 October 2015, May was loaned to Gosport Borough for a month, making four appearances and scoring no goals.
In October 2016, May joined National League side Sutton United on loan, initially for one month and later extended to the end of the season. He made his debut for Sutton on 25 October in a 2âÂÂ2 draw at home against Maidstone United.
On 14 January 2017, May scored his first senior goal in an FA Trophy second round away tie against Worthing, a game which ended 2âÂÂ2; he also scored in the replay on 25 January, netting a vital extra time winner for Sutton, capping a man of the match performance. He was part of the team which knocked out Championship side Leeds United 1âÂÂ0 in the fourth round of the FA Cup, putting Sutton into the fifth round of the competition for the first time in the club's 118-year history, and appeared in the fifth round tie, a 0âÂÂ2 defeat to Arsenal on 20 February.
On 22 April, May scored his first league goal with a 20-yard strike in a 5âÂÂ2 victory over Chester. At the end of the season May won the Young Player of the Year award.
Following his successful loan spell at Sutton United, May played a prominent part in Portsmouth's 2017âÂÂ18 pre-season, with new manager Kenny Jackett keen to integrate young players into the first-team squad. Due to the departure of club captain Michael Doyle, May began the new season as first-choice midfield partner to Danny Rose in Jackett's preferred 4âÂÂ2âÂÂ3âÂÂ1 formation.
At the start of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, May signed for Aldershot Town on a loan deal until the 5 December 2018. He made 12 league appearances for the club before being recalled slightly prematurely by Jackett for Pompey EFL Trophy round 2 match against Arsenal U21s on 4 December, in which he hit the upright and the crossbar across both halves. May was awarded man of the match and Portsmouth went on to win the game 2âÂÂ1.
Portsmouth won the EFL Trophy that season, beating Sunderland in the final. May played 4 out of the 8 total games in their successful campaign.
In June 2019 he joined Swindon Town on loan. He scored his first Swindon goal on his debut in an EFL Trophy tie against Chelsea U21s on 6 August 2019. May was recalled in January 2020.
In September 2020, May joined Cambridge United on a free transfer. He scored his first goal for Cambridge, away to Morecambe in a 5-0 win in League Two. May was also a huge part of Cambridge success in getting promotion. on 13 May 2022, May signed a new contract. During Cambridge's 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers in October 2022 May picked up a knee injury which required reconstruction which would keep him out for the remainder of the 2022âÂÂ23 season.
On 1 May 2024 he was transfer listed.
On 3 July 2024, May joined National League side Forest Green Rovers on a free transfer. He departed the club by mutual consent in December 2025.
On 6 December 2025, May joined National League South club Weston-super-Mare on a short-term contract, playing 5 times during his one month at the club.
On 22 January 2026, May was announced to have signed for National League South club Eastbourne Borough.
Portsmouth
Cambridge United