Joshua Murphy (born 24 February 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Portsmouth. He began his career at Norwich City, for whom he scored on his professional debut for in a League Cup match against Watford, and later played for Cardiff City and Oxford United.
Murphy, along with his twin brother, Jacob, first played football together from the age of seven and eventually, they both joined Norwich City as under-12s in 2006. It was announced on 31 March 2011, that the brothers joined the club's academy ahead of a new season.
Murphy's first involvement in the Norwich first-team came on 26 September 2012 when he was named as an unused substitute in the club's 1âÂÂ0 Football League Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers. He was a part of the Norwich City youth team who won the 2012âÂÂ13 FA Youth Cup where he scored in the final against Chelsea. Murphy signed his first professional contract for Norwich City alongside his brother on 4 January 2013.
He made his professional debut on 24 September 2013, replacing Bradley Johnson in the 67th minute of Norwich's Football League Cup match against Watford, with Norwich 2âÂÂ0 down. He scored his first professional goal in the 77th minute to pull the score back to 2âÂÂ1. Norwich eventually went on to win 3âÂÂ2 in extra time. He made his league debut on 2 November 2013 as a half-time substitute for Steven Whittaker in Norwich's 7âÂÂ0 league defeat against Manchester City. Then, in December 2013, both Josh and Jacob both signed a three-year contract with the club.
His first senior start was in the FA Cup for Norwich City against Fulham. He set up the first goal and was eventually substituted for his brother Jacob Murphy. In 2014, Josh was awarded Professional of the Year in the West Norfolk Sports Awards, as well as the special achievement award. Soon under management of Neil Adams, Josh had a long run in the first team, making appearance for Norwich City.
Following Norwich City's relegation to the Championship, Murphy made his first start of the 2014âÂÂ15 season, where he played 90 minutes, and scored twice, which his twin brother Jacob provided one of the two goals Josh scored, in a 3âÂÂ1 win over Crawley Town in the second round of the League Cup. Murphy's first league goal game in a 3âÂÂ1 win for Norwich over Blackpool on 27 September 2014.
With his first team opportunities limited, Murphy joined Championship club Wigan Athletic on a month's loan. Murphy made his Wigan Athletic debut, coming on as a substitute for Jermaine Pennant in the 55th minute, in a 2âÂÂ0 loss against Watford on 17 March 2015. Murphy's five appearances at Wigan Athletic soon earned a loan extension until the end of the season. However, Murphy was unable to help Wigan Athletic survive relegation and returned to his parent club.
On 21 August 2015, Murphy joined Championship club Milton Keynes Dons on a season-long loan. He scored the winning goal on his debut in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Cardiff City in the League Cup 2nd Round. On 26 September 2015, Murphy scored his first league goal in a 1âÂÂ3 home defeat to Derby County.
On 3 May 2016, Murphy was named Milton Keynes Dons Players' Player of the Year 2015âÂÂ16. In total, Murphy made 46 appearances for the club, scoring 7 goals in all competitions. Murphy finished the season as the Dons' joint top goalscorer and achieved the most assists.
On 12 June 2018, Murphy joined Premier League side Cardiff City on a 4-year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around ã11 million. He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2018âÂÂ19 season as a substitute in place of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing during a 2âÂÂ0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth. Following a short spell on the sidelines, Murphy scored his first Cardiff goal against Burnley, followed by his second in 4âÂÂ2 win over Fulham. On 10 June 2022, Cardiff announced Murphy would leave the club when his contract expired on June 30.
On 26 July 2022, Murphy signed a two-year deal with League One side Oxford United. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4âÂÂ2 league victory over Wigan Athletic on 13 February 2024. On 18 May 2024, he scored both goals in Oxford's 2âÂÂ0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the League One play-off final, securing his club's return to the Championship after a 25-year absence from the second tier. Following promotion, the club confirmed that they were in discussions to extend Murphy's contract.
On 25 June 2024, Murphy signed a three-year contract, with a one-year extension available, with Championship side Portsmouth.
Both Murphy and his brother were called up by the England U18 team in October 2012 and made their U18s debut in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Finland U19 on 13 November 2012.
Then in early 2013, Both Josh and Jacob Murphy were called up by England U19 and their U19s debut in a 3âÂÂ1 win over Denmark U19. Then on 14 November 2013, Josh scored his first England U19 goal in a 4âÂÂ1 win over Hungary U19.
In late 2014, Murphy was called up by England U20 and scored on his debut on 5 September 2014, in a 6âÂÂ0 win over Romania U20.
Murphy was born in Wembley, London. He is of Nigerian descent through his father and Irish descent through his mother.
He is the twin brother of professional footballer Jacob Murphy. The twins have spoken about their close bonds and being there for each other. Their parents and younger brother live in Downham Market and run the Arbuckles restaurant.
While on the pitch, former manager Chris Hughton instructed the twins to wear different coloured boots so that he could tell them apart. His uncle is former Ipswich Town footballer Tommy Parkin.
Oxford United
Individual