Jamal Baptiste Explained

Jamal Baptiste
Fullname:Jamal Marcus Baptiste[1]
Birth Date:11 November 2003[2]
Birth Place:Redbridge, England
Height:1.82m
Position:Defender
Youthyears1:2011–2020
Youthclubs1:West Ham United
Years1:2020–2023
Clubs1:West Ham United
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2023–2024
Clubs2:Manchester City
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Lommel (loan)
Caps3:3
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:England U16
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019
Nationalteam2:England U17
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2021
Nationalteam3:England U19
Nationalcaps3:6
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:11:25, 6 June 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:20:45, 13 November 2021 (UTC)

Jamal Marcus Baptiste (born 11 November 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender most recently for Manchester City.

Club career

Baptiste joined West Ham United at the age of eight.[3] In the 2018–19 season, Baptiste broke into West Ham's under-18 squad, whilst still a schoolboy. Baptiste later debuted for the under-23's at the age of 15, becoming the second youngest ever player to represent West Ham's under-23 side.[4] Upon his 17th birthday, on 11 November 2020, Baptiste signed his first professional contract with West Ham.[5] On 23 January 2021, Baptiste made his debut, as a substitute, for West Ham in a 4–0 FA Cup win against Doncaster Rovers.[6] On 9 December 2021, he played a full-match for West Ham in a 1–0 home defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.

In May 2023, Baptiste said he would be leaving West Ham at the end of the 2022–23 season as he felt he had played sufficient academy level football and was ready to play in a first-team environment. He also revealed a diagnosis of Guillain–Barré syndrome which had kept him out of the game for five months, and the help he had received with treatment from the personal doctor of West Ham chairman, David Sullivan.[7]

On 2 September 2023, Baptise made a move to English club Manchester City as a free agent, and on the same day, he was loaned out to Belgian side Lommel.[8] The loan was for half a season, until the end of 2023.[9]

Without playing for the club, he was released by Manchester City at the end of the 2023–24 season.[10]

On 16 July 2024, Baptise appeared on trial for Portsmouth in a friendly at Gosport Borough.

International career

In October 2019, after previously representing England's under-16 side, Baptiste was called up for England's under-17's for the first time.[11]

On 2 September 2021, Baptiste made his debut for England U19, starting a 2–0 victory over Italy U19's at St George's Park.[12]

Style of play

Terry Westley, academy manager at West Ham during Baptiste's formative years, has praised Baptiste's height, power and pace.[13] West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna has lauded Baptiste's composure,[3] with former West Ham striker Carlton Cole comparing Baptiste to former West Ham academy graduate Rio Ferdinand after coaching Baptiste in the club's academy. Baptiste himself has said he models his game on Virgil van Dijk and former West Ham and England defender Matthew Upson.[14]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
West Ham United U212019–201010
2020–213030
Total0000004040
West Ham United2020–21Premier League0010000010
2021–220000001010
2022–230000000000
Total0010001020
Career total0010005060

Notes and References

  1. Ancestry.com. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
  2. Web site: Jamal Baptiste. 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 3 November 2021.
  3. Web site: West Ham wonderkid Jamal Baptiste outlines his inspiration after signing first pro deal. Football London. 12 November 2020. 12 June 2022.
  4. Web site: Jamal Baptiste. West Ham United F.C.. 23 January 2021.
  5. Web site: Jamal Baptiste signs first professional contract. West Ham United F.C.. 12 November 2020. 23 January 2021.
  6. Web site: West Ham United 4–0 Doncaster Rovers. BBC Sport. 23 January 2021. 23 January 2021.
  7. Web site: Colman . Jonty . Jamal Baptiste confirms West Ham exit and lifts lid on David Moyes’ comments . Football.London . 24 May 2023 . 26 May 2023.
  8. Web site: Jamal Baptiste joins Man City as free agent from West Ham . Tribuna.com . 2 September 2023 .
  9. Web site: Lommel SK. WELKOM JAMAL BAPTISTE!. WELCOME JAMAL BAPTISTE!. 6 September 2023. 10 September 2023. nl.
  10. Web site: Lucas . Damien Charles . Man City release star they signed from West Ham after just one year . Hammers News . 6 June 2024 . 6 June 2024.
  11. Web site: West Ham United Academy trio receive England call-ups. West Ham United F.C.. 4 October 2019. 23 January 2021.
  12. Web site: England MU19s 2-0 Italy. 2021-09-03. EnglandFootball.com. en.
  13. Web site: West Ham youngster must pay no attention to big praise. HITC. 14 October 2020. 12 June 2022.
  14. Web site: Carlton Cole says impressive academy prospect Jamal Baptiste has been training with West Ham first team and could be the new Rio Ferdinand. Hammers News. 12 June 2022.