Ethan James Laidlaw (born 2 January 2005) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Brentford.
Laidlaw is a product of the Hibernian academy and began his professional career with the club. He transferred to Brentford in 2023. He was capped by Scotland at youth level.
A forward, Laidlaw began his youth career at Longniddry Villa, under the coaching of his father. He entered the Hibernian academy at age 8. Laidlaw was a part of the U14 squad which won the 2018 Foyle Cup and progressed through the academy to sign his first professional contract in February 2021. He was an unused substitute during seven first team matches between April 2021 and January 2023. Laidlaw made two Scottish Challenge Cup appearances for the B team and was a part of the 2021âÂÂ22 SPFL Development League-winning squad which subsequently entered the UEFA Youth League (Laidlaw scoring the winner in a match against Nantes in the competition). He turned down a new contract and departed Easter Road when his existing contract expired at the end of the 2022âÂÂ23 season.
On 28 July 2023, Laidlaw transferred to the B team at Premier League club Brentford and signed a two-year contract, with a one-year option, for an undisclosed "six-figure" fee. Though he was not part of the 2024âÂÂ25 Professional Development League Final-winning matchday squad, Laidlaw received a winner's medal in recognition of his contribution earlier in the competition. Often injured with "little niggles and bits that just take him out of his stride" during his first two seasons with the club, Laidlaw was retained for the 2025âÂÂ26 season and was an unused substitute during a first team pre-season friendly.
Laidlaw was capped by Scotland at U17, U18 and U19 levels. He scored a hat-trick on his international debut and was a part of the Scotland's 2022 UEFA European U17 Championship squad.
Laidlaw is the son of former Scottish League footballer Steven Laidlaw and his brothers Keir and Josh also became footballers. He grew up in Port Seton and attended Preston Lodge High School. Laidlaw is a Hibernian supporter and served the club as a ball boy.