{{Short description|Wales footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Use British English|date=April 2013}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Joel Lynch | image = Joel+Lynch+2017.jpg | caption = Lynch playing for Queens Park Rangers in 2017 | fullname = Joel John Lynch<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Sunderland |publisher=English Football League |page=70 |access-date=27 October 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|10|3|df=y}} | birth_place = Eastbourne, England | height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joel Lynch |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/joel-lynch-42154/ |access-date=2021-09-07 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises}}</ref> | position = Defender | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 2003–2005 | youthclubs1 = Brighton & Hove Albion | years1 = 2005–2009 | clubs1 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps1 = 79 | goals1 = 2 | years2 = 2008–2009 | clubs2 = → Nottingham Forest (loan) | caps2 = 23 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2009–2012 | clubs3 = Nottingham Forest | caps3 = 57 | goals3 = 3 | years4 = 2012–2016 | clubs4 = Huddersfield Town | caps4 = 122 | goals4 = 8 | years5 = 2016–2019 | clubs5 = Queens Park Rangers | caps5 = 90 | goals5 = 7 | years6 = 2019–2020 | clubs6 = Sunderland | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2021–2023 | clubs7 = Crawley Town | caps7 = 31 | goals7 = 2 | years8 = 2023–2025 | clubs8 = Precision | caps8 = | goals8 = | nationalyears1 = 2012 | nationalteam1 = Wales | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 08:06, 2 May 2025 (UTC) }} '''Joel John Lynch''' (born 3 October 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender. He previously played for Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers. Born in England, he has represented the Wales national team.
==Club career== ===Brighton & Hove Albion=== Lynch came through Brighton & Hove Albion's youth set up and was part of a history breaking youth team which saw them reach the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2006/3/1/208426.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709221827/http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2006/3/1/208426.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 July 2012 |title=Gatting to lead the line in cup |work=The Argus |location=Brighton and Hove |publisher=Newsquest |date=1 March 2006 |access-date=23 April 2009 }}</ref> His reward, along with teammate Joe Gatting, was a place in the squad for the first team which saw him make his debut against Southampton on 3 January 2006.<ref>[http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReportOld/0,,10433~30792,00.html Joel makes Brighton debut – match report] ''Seagulls.co.uk'', 2 January 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721064351/http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReportOld/0,,10433~30792,00.html |date=21 July 2011 }}</ref>
In summer 2006, Lynch signed a professional three-year contract with Brighton, a deal which was later extended.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/6128298.stm | work=BBC Sport | title=Cox & Lynch pen new Albion deals | date=8 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/6913419.stm | work=BBC Sport | title=Lynch and Cox agree new contracts | date=25 July 2007}}</ref>
Lynch attracted the interest of several Premier League and Championship clubs during his career with Brighton, with Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/search/838623.March_13__Albion_0_Preston_0/|title=Albion 0–0 Preston|first=Andy|last=Naylor|work=The Argus|location=Brighton and Hove|publisher=Newsquest|date=13 March 2006|access-date=23 April 2009}}</ref> keeping a close scrutiny on the player.
After starting the 2008–09 season out of the Brighton first-team, Lynch handed in a written transfer request which was formally rejected by the club.<ref name="Lynch transfer request rejected">{{cite news | title = Lynch transfer request rejected | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7584196.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 28 August 2008 | access-date = 21 November 2008}}</ref> Lynch then handed in a second written transfer request during September 2008 and Brighton reluctantly allowed him to join Nottingham Forest on loan, initially for a month.<ref name="Forest snap up Seagulls defender">{{cite news | title = Forest snap up Seagulls defender | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/7632125.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 23 September 2008 | access-date = 21 November 2008}}</ref> He made only one start and two substitute appearances for Brighton in the 2008–09 season.
Lynch made a total of 68 league starts for Brighton and scored a total of two goals.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10433~31848,00.html |title=Joel Lynch | Brighton and Hove Albion | Team | First Team |access-date=14 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807130315/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10433~31848,00.html |archive-date=7 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Nottingham Forest=== ====Loan spell 2008–09==== Lynch joined Nottingham Forest on loan in September 2008. After five appearances, the following month this loan spell was extended until 28 December,<ref name="Forest agree Lynch loan extension">{{cite news | title = Forest agree Lynch loan extension | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/7684332.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 31 October 2008 | access-date = 21 November 2008}}</ref> then the loan deal was further extended to keep Lynch at the City Ground for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lynch to stay until end of season|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/7803061.stm|date=29 December 2008|access-date=17 May 2012|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Forest paid the player's contractual wages and paid Brighton a fee of £25,000<ref name="Lynch Extends Forest Stay">{{cite news |title=Lynch Extends Forest Stay |url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0,,10433~1502913,00.html |work=seagulls.co.uk |publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |first=Paul |last=Camillin |date=28 December 2008 |access-date=23 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225115744/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Latest/0%2C%2C10433~1502913%2C00.html |archive-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> where he made 23 appearances for Forest. He found himself playing at left full-back, covering for the long term absence through injury of Julian Bennett.
====2009–10 season==== On 21 July 2009, Lynch was signed permanently by Forest on a three-year contract for a fee of £200,000. As part of this transfer deal, Forest loaned midfielder Matt Thornhill to Brighton for an initial six months.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/8161636.stm|title=Forest confirm Lynch transfer|work=BBC Sport|date=22 July 2009|access-date=22 July 2009}}</ref> Lynch's first team opportunities at Forest were limited, especially in his favoured position of centre-back as he has been down the pecking order to Wes Morgan, Kelvin Wilson and Luke Chambers. He has also suffered from injuries. Most of his appearances have come from filling in at left full-back. In the 2009–10 season, Lynch made only 11 starts in all competitions (3 at centre-back; 8 at left-back).
====2010–11 season==== Lynch made his first appearance of the 2010–11 season playing 101 minutes in Forest's Football League Cup first round exit to League Two side Bradford City on 10 August 2010 when they lost 2–1 after extra time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bradford 2–1 Nottingham Forest (aet)|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/8893815.stm|date=10 August 2010|access-date=9 August 2012|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> His first appearance in the league didn't come until 20 November 2010 when he was used as an 85th-minute substitute in the sides 2–0 away win over Cardiff City.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cardiff 0–2 Nott'm Forest|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9194725.stm|date=20 November 2010|access-date=9 August 2012|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He made his first league start in a 1–0 away win over Ipswich Town on 3 January 2011 being substituted in the 81st minute and would go on to start Forest's next five games.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9331299.stm|title=Ipswich 1–0 Nott'm Forest|date=3 January 2011|access-date=9 August 2012|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Lynch would only play 15 times during the 2010–11 season making only 11 starts in all competitions and playing mostly at left back over his more natural centre back position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1845&teamTabs=stats|title=Nottm Forest FC Player Appearances – Past & Present – Soccer Base}}</ref>
====2011–12 season==== During the 2011–12 season, he was given a chance to play in his preferred position in the centre of defence, alongside Wes Morgan, then Luke Chambers when Morgan joined Leicester City. He put in a series of very impressive displays and began to regularly hold down a starting place and showing signs of fulfilling his potential. On 19 November, Lynch scored his first goal for Nottingham Forest in the 3–2 win against Ipswich Town.<ref name="Times1111">{{cite web |title=Championship focus: Ipswich fall to Tudgay |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/championship-focus-ipswich-fall-to-tudgay-8qv6tg2fnhl |website=The Times |access-date=23 August 2020 |date=20 November 2011 |quote=Joel Lynch levelled the scores again with seven minutes remaining, heading in Andy Reid's cross. It was his first goal for the club. | url-access=subscription}}</ref> His second came in a 2–1 loss to Middlesbrough,<ref>{{cite news|title=Middlsbrough 2–1 Nottingham Forest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16921960|work=BBC Sport|date=14 February 2012|access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> and his third was a header against former club Brighton.<ref name="SkySports312">{{cite web |title=Late Lynch goal thwarts Albion |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/n-forest-vs-brighton/238721 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=23 August 2020 |date=24 March 2012}}</ref>
===Huddersfield Town=== On 11 July 2012, Lynch signed a 3-year deal with Huddersfield Town after turning down a new deal at former club Forest becoming manager Simon Grayson's fifth signing of 2012–13 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=TOWN FIGHT OFF CLUBS TO SIGN LYNCH |url=http://www.htafc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10312~2838732,00.html |publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |work=htafc.com |date=11 July 2012 |access-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714114756/http://www.htafc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10312~2838732%2C00.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Huddersfield Town sign defender Joel Lynch|work=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2012|access-date=16 August 2012|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18786144}}</ref> Lynch was given the number 33 shirt for the 2012–13 season by manager Simon Grayson on 14 July 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.htafc.com/news/article/201213-squad-numbers-announced-236573.aspx?pageView=full#anchored|title=2012/13 SQUAD NUMBERS RELEASED|publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|work=htafc.com|date=14 July 2012|access-date=16 August 2012|first=Dave|last=Sykes}}</ref> He made his league début in the 1–0 defeat by Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on 17 August. On 25 August he scored his first goal in a league match against Burnley when he gave Huddersfield a 1–0 lead, where Huddersfield won 2–0 in the end.<ref name="sb1213">{{soccerbase season|39772|2012|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> Lynch received his first red card of his Huddersfield career at Hillsborough Stadium in Huddersfield's 3–1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.<ref name="sb1213" />
Lynch's first goal of the 2013–14 season came in the 3–2 League Cup win against Charlton Athletic on 27 August 2013.<ref name="sb1314">{{Soccerbase season|39772|2013|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> Less than a month later Lynch would again score against Charlton, this time in League action on 17 September, before picking up a red card against Reading on 14 December.<ref name="sb1314" /> 15 days later Lynch scored again, this time in a 5–1 rout against Yeovil Town.<ref name="sb1314" /> On 12 April 2014 Lynch received his second red card of the season, this time on 12 April 2014 against Derby County in what proved to be Lynch's penultimate appearance of the season.<ref name="sb1314" />
His first goal of the 2014–15 season came against former club Nottingham Forest, just 43 seconds into their Championship clash on 1 November 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Huddersfield's Joel Lynch sets tone for win over Nottingham Forest|agency=Press Association|work=The Observer|date=1 November 2014|access-date=1 November 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/01/huddersfleld-town-nottingham-forest-championship-match-report}}</ref>
===Queens Park Rangers=== On 29 June 2016, Lynch joined fellow Football League Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £1.2 million, potentially rising to £1.5 million. He scored his first goal for QPR in a 2–1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 1 December 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=QPR 1-2 Wolves|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38087758|publisher=BBC|date=1 December 2016 |access-date=2 December 2016}}</ref>
===Sunderland=== Following release from QPR, Lynch joined League One side Sunderland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/latest-sunderland-afc-news/sunderland-swoop-to-sign-ex-championship-defender-joel-lynch-492269|title=Sunderland swoop to sign ex-Championship defender Joel Lynch|website=sunderlandecho.com|date=26 August 2019|access-date=27 August 2019}}</ref> On 17 June 2020, the club confirmed Lynch would be leaving.<ref name="SAFC620">{{cite press release |last1=Chamberlain |first1=Oscar |title=Contract update:Trio offered new deals, as five depart |url=https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/june/trio-offered-new-deals-as-five-depart |website=Sunderland AFC |access-date=23 August 2020 |date=17 June 2020}}</ref>
===Crawley Town=== On 7 September 2021, Lynch signed for EFL League Two club Crawley Town on a contract until 3 January 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tomlinson |first=Henry |date=7 September 2021 |title=Ex Albion defender joins Crawley Town on free transfer |language=en |work=The Argus |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/19564718.ex-albion-defender-joins-crawley-town-free-transfer/ |access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Harrogate Town on 21 September 2021.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crawley 2-2 Bradford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58124818|publisher=BBC|date=21 September 2021 |access-date=1 January 2022}}</ref>
On 13 August 2023, it was announced that Lynch had left Crawley after he agreed to terminate his contract with the club.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66492203 | title=Joel Lynch: Veteran defender leaves Crawley Town after two seasons with club | work=BBC Sport | date=13 August 2023 }}</ref>
===Precision Football=== Following his departure, Lynch joined UAE Third Division League club Precision Football, founded by former Brighton & Hove Albion academy teammate Sonny Cobbs. During the 2023–24 season, Lynch scored five goals as the club were promoted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://englishplayersabroad.wordpress.com/2024/05/15/uae-review/|title=UAE football 2023/24 season review|publisher=English Players Abroad|date=15 May 2024|accessdate=2 September 2024}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2024}} He signed a new contract with the club in August 2024.<ref>{{cite instagram|postid=C-plptSIsMX|user=precisionfootballclub|author=Precision Football|title=🚨 JOEL LYNCH IS STILL A PREDATOR! 🚨 Huge news as the captain extends his stay for the new season here in Dubai.|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=2 September 2024}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2024}}
==International career== Born and raised in England, Lynch qualified for Wales through his father who was born in Barry. On 17 May 2012, Lynch was called up to the Wales squad for a friendly match against Mexico.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gareth Bale and Joe Ledley out of Wales game with Mexico|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18016691|date=20 May 2012|access-date=29 May 2012|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He was a substitute, but did not feature in the match.<ref>{{cite news|title=No Luck For Lynch|url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/no-luck-for-lynch-195715.aspx|work=nottinghamforest.co.uk|publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C.|date=28 May 2012|access-date=29 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234810/http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/no-luck-for-lynch-195715.aspx|archive-date=30 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Friendly international: Mexico 2–0 Wales|work=BBC Sport|date=27 May 2012|access-date=29 May 2012|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18230970}}</ref> On 12 August 2012 Lynch received his second international call up to the Wales squad for the friendly with Bosnia and Herzegovina.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19208030|work=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2012|access-date=12 August 2012|title=Earnshaw & Lynch in Wales squad for Bosnia-Hercegovina friendly}}</ref> He made his debut as a 78th-minute substitute in that game on 15 August 2012.
==Career statistics== {{updated|end of 2021–22 season}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="5"|Brighton & Hove Albion |2005–06<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2005|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |16||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||16||1 |- |2006–07<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2006|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |League One |39||0||3||0||2||0||4{{Efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}}||0||48||0 |- |2007–08<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2007|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |League One |22||1||3||0||1||0||2{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||28||1 |- |2008–09<ref name="sb0809">{{soccerbase season|39772|2008|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |League One |2||0||0||0||0||0||1{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !79!!2!!6!!0!!3!!0!!0!!0!!88!!2 |- |Nottingham Forest (loan) |2008–09<ref name="sb0809" /> |Championship |23||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||24||0 |- |rowspan="4"|Nottingham Forest |2009–10<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2009|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |10||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||12||0 |- |2010–11<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2010|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |12||0||2||0||1||0||0||0||15||0 |- |2011–12<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2011|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |35||3||2||0||2||0||0||0||39||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !57!!3!!4!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!66!!3 |- |rowspan="5"|Huddersfield Town |2012–13<ref name="sb1213" /> |Championship |22||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||22||1 |- |2013–14<ref name="sb1314" /> |Championship |29||2||0||0||2||1||0||0||31||3 |- |2014–15<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2014|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |34||3||0||0||1||0||0||0||35||3 |- |2015–16<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2015|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |37||2||2||0||1||0||0||0||40||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !122!!8!!2!!0!!4!!1!!0!!0!!128!!9 |- |rowspan="4"|Queens Park Rangers |2016–17<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2016|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |30||3||1||0||2||0||0||0||33||3 |- |2017–18<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2017|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |25||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||25||1 |- |2018–19<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2018|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |Championship |35||3||2||0||0||0||0||0||37||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !90!!7!!3!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!95!!7 |- |Sunderland |2019–20<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2019|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |League One |16||0||1||0||2||0||2{{Efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}}||0||21||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Crawley Town |2021–22<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2021|access-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> |League Two |24||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||24||2 |- |2022–23<ref>{{soccerbase season|39772|2022|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref> |League Two |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !24!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!24!!2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !411!!22!!17!!0!!16!!1!!9!!0!!446!!23 |} {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100528144647/http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10308~31848%2C00.html Joel Lynch player profile] at Nottingham Forest website *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lynch, Joel}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Eastbourne Category:English men's footballers Category:Welsh men's footballers Category:Wales men's international footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players Category:Crawley Town F.C. players Category:Precision Football players Category:English Football League players Category:UAE Third Division League players Category:UAE Second Division League players Category:English people of Welsh descent Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:Welsh expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the United Arab Emirates Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates Category:21st-century English sportsmen