Ethan Laidlaw (footballer)

Ethan James Laidlaw (born 2 January 2005) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League 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 has been capped by Scotland at youth level.

A forward, Laidlaw began his youth career at Longniddry Villa, under the coaching of his father.^[3] He entered the Hibernian academy at age 8.^[4] 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.^[5][6] He was an unused substitute during seven first team matches between April 2021 and January 2023.^[1] Laidlaw made two Scottish Challenge Cup appearances for the B team and was a part of the 2021–22 SPFL Development League-winning squad which subsequently entered the UEFA Youth League (Laidlaw scoring the winner in a match against Nantes in the competition).^[1][4] He turned down a new contract and departed Easter Road when his existing contract expired at the end of the 2022–23 season.^[3]

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,^[7] for an undisclosed "six-figure" fee.^[4]

Laidlaw has been capped by Scotland at U17, U18 and U19 levels.^[1][8] He scored a hat-trick on his international debut and was a part of the Scotland's 2022 UEFA European U17 Championship squad.^{[1][9][10][11]}

Laidlaw is the son of former Scottish League footballer Steven Laidlaw and his brothers Keir and Josh also became footballers.^[3][12] He grew up in Port Seton and attended Preston Lodge High School.^[3] Laidlaw is a Hibernian supporter and served the club as a ball boy.^[6]

As of match played 27 May 2023

• Ethan Laidlaw at Soccerbase
• Ethan Laidlaw at the Scottish Football Association
• Ethan Laidlaw – UEFA competition record (archive)
• Ethan Laidlaw at brentfordfc.com