George David Eric Hirst (born 15 February 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Ipswich Town. Born in England, he plays for the Scotland national team.
George Hirst is the son of former Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst.
After coming through the academy, Hirst signed his first professional contract for Sheffield Wednesday in March 2016.
He made his first team debut against Cambridge United on 9 August 2016, in the EFL Cup in a 2âÂÂ1 defeat. His league debut came on 10 December 2016 against Reading in a 2âÂÂ1 defeat. In April 2018, Hirst was linked with a move to Manchester United after rejecting a long-term contract at Sheffield Wednesday.
In June 2018, Hirst was signed by a second division Belgian team, Oud-Heverlee Leuven, led by former Sheffield Wednesday player Nigel Pearson.
After just one season at OH Leuven, Hirst joined Leicester City in the summer of 2019. On 19 July 2020 Hirst made his debut for Leicester, coming on in the 83rd minute in a 3âÂÂ0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
On 16 September 2020, Hirst joined Rotherham United on a season-long loan deal.
On 3 August 2021, Hirst joined League One side Portsmouth on loan for the 2021âÂÂ22 season. He scored his first goal for the club on 9 November 2021 in an EFL Trophy tie against Crystal Palace U21s.
On 31 August 2022, Hirst joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan, with an option to buy.
On 8 January 2023, Hirst joined Ipswich Town on loan for the rest of the season.
On 13 July 2023, Hirst made his move to Ipswich Town permanent for a undisclosed fee, signing a four-year deal with the club. He scored his first ever Championship goal on his second debut for the club, netting against Sunderland on the opening day of the 2023âÂÂ24 season.
Whilst playing against his former club, Leicester City, on 26 December 2023, he suffered a "significant" hamstring injury which would put him out for a majority of the rest of the season. He returned for the final three games of the season, beginning with the 3âÂÂ3 draw against Hull City on 27 April, starting the match and scoring the first goal of the game. He then started on the bench in the following game against Coventry City, before starting the final game of the season, a 2âÂÂ0 victory over Huddersfield Town where Ipswich were promoted to the Premier League.
He scored his first Premier League goal for Ipswich on 26 October 2024, his first game in the starting lineup, in which the Tractor Boys went on to lose 4âÂÂ3 at Brentford, having been two goals up in the first half. On 4 July 2025, he extended his contract with the club until 2029.
Hirst was eligible to represent England as his birthplace and Scotland via his paternal grandfather.
Hirst made his debut for the England Under-17 national team during the Algarve Cup in February 2016 â in his second game for the team he scored twice against Germany in a 2âÂÂ2 draw. He was subsequently called up to the squad for the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Azerbaijan. In the group stage Hirst scored against Denmark and started the Quarter-final defeat against Spain.
On 23 August 2016, Hirst was called up to the England U18s for the first time. In summer 2017, Hirst represented England Under 20s at the 2017 Toulon Tournament, scoring a hat-trick in a game against Cuba to take his 2016âÂÂ17 tally to 40 goals in all competitions. Hirst started in the final against the Ivory Coast which England won on penalties and was subsequently named in the team of the tournament.
On 1 September 2017, Hirst scored his second hat-trick of the Summer in a victory against Poland, for England Under-19. In July 2018, Hirst was included in the squad for the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
In May 2019, Hirst was included in the England U20 squad for the 2019 Toulon Tournament.
On 11 March 2025, Hirst declared for Scotland through a change of association approved by FIFA. He made his full international debut later that month, in a Nations League match against Greece. Hirst then scored his first Scotland goal on 9 June 2025, during a friendly with Liechtenstein.
Ipswich Town
England U20
Individual