Ben Gannon-Doak
In the world of professional football, very few players burst onto the scene with such a meteoric rise and unique journey as Ben Gannon-Doak. From a small Scottish town to the hallowed grounds of the Premier League and international stages, his story is one of prodigious talent and remarkable milestones. But it's not just his on-field achievements that make him stand out — a very personal choice has also set him apart. Ben Gannon-Doak rapidly ascended through top-tier clubs like Celtic and Liverpool, making his senior debut at just 16. He achieved a significant milestone by becoming the youngest Scottish player ever to appear in the Premier League. His decision to adopt the hyphenated 'Gannon-Doak' surname on his shirt reflects a unique personal tribute to both his parents.
AI Summary
In the world of professional football, very few players burst onto the scene with such a meteoric rise and unique journey as Ben Gannon-Doak. From a small Scottish town to the hallowed grounds of the Premier League and international stages, his story is one of prodigious talent and remarkable milestones. But it's not just his on-field achievements that make him stand out — a very personal choice has also set him apart.
- Ben Gannon-Doak rapidly ascended through top-tier clubs like Celtic and Liverpool, making his senior debut at just 16.
- He achieved a significant milestone by becoming the youngest Scottish player ever to appear in the Premier League.
- His decision to adopt the hyphenated 'Gannon-Doak' surname on his shirt reflects a unique personal tribute to both his parents.
A Scottish Star in the Making
Born Ben Doak on November 11, 2005, in the small Scottish town of Dalry, Ayrshire, Ben Gannon-Doak's football journey began incredibly early. Even from a young age, it was clear he possessed a special talent for the beautiful game.
From Local Pitches to Professional Academies
Like many aspiring footballers, Gannon-Doak started his career with his hometown club, Dalry Rovers. His skill quickly caught the eye of bigger clubs, leading him to join Ayr United's academy before making the significant move to Scottish giants, Celtic.
Breaking Through at Celtic
At just 16 years old, a month after his birthday, Gannon-Doak found himself on the bench for Celtic in a senior match in December 2021. The following month, in January 2022, he made his thrilling senior debut, coming on as a substitute in a Scottish Premiership victory against Dundee United.
The Call from Anfield
His electrifying performances didn't go unnoticed. In March 2022, Premier League powerhouse Liverpool came calling, securing his transfer from Celtic for a training compensation fee of around £600,000. This marked a huge step up to one of Europe's elite clubs.
Gannon-Doak wasted no time making an impact at Anfield. On November 9, 2022, he made his Liverpool debut in an EFL Cup match, entering as a second-half substitute. Just five days later, having turned 17, he signed his first professional contract with the club.
Then came a truly historic moment. On December 26, 2022, in a match against Aston Villa, Gannon-Doak made his Premier League debut. This appearance officially cemented his place in history as the youngest Scottish player ever to grace the Premier League.
His journey at Liverpool continued with significant moments, including scoring his first senior goal for the club in a pre-season friendly against Leicester City in July 2023. However, his 2023-24 season was unfortunately curtailed by knee surgery in December, interrupting his promising progress.
A Successful Loan Spell
To gain more first-team experience, Gannon-Doak joined EFL Championship side Middlesbrough on a season-long loan in August 2024. It proved to be a pivotal move, and on September 28, he scored his first competitive senior goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Stoke City.
November 2024 was a standout month for him at Middlesbrough. After providing an impressive five assists in as many games, he was deservedly awarded the prestigious EFL Young Player of the Month award, showcasing his creative prowess.
A New Chapter and a New Name
In August 2025, Gannon-Doak made another significant career move, transferring to fellow Premier League club Bournemouth. The deal was valued at an initial £20 million, with an additional £5 million in add-ons, and included a buy-back option for Liverpool.
This transfer also brought a very personal change. To honor both his parents, he officially adopted the name 'Gannon-Doak' for the back of his shirt, replacing the 'Doak' he had worn previously. It's a wonderful tribute that adds another layer to his unique story.
Representing Scotland
Gannon-Doak's talent was recognized internationally from a young age. He represented Scotland at various youth levels, making his debut for the U17 squad in September 2021 where he scored in a draw against Wales. Despite helping them qualify for the 2022 UEFA European U17 Championship, injury unfortunately kept him from participating.
His rapid ascent continued when, at just 16, he was called up to the Scotland U21 squad in September 2022. In a memorable debut against Northern Ireland, he scored within seven minutes, becoming the youngest goalscorer ever for the Scotland U21s.
In May 2024, the ultimate call-up arrived: a place in the provisional senior squad for UEFA Euro 2024. However, a cruel twist of fate saw him withdraw due to injury, denying him a major tournament appearance.
Despite the setback, his senior international debut came shortly after, on September 5, 2024, as a substitute in a match against Poland. This marked the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to play for his country at the highest level.
He scored his first senior international goal on November 15, 2025, in a World Cup qualifier against Greece. Just three days later, Gannon-Doak provided a crucial assist for Scott McTominay's spectacular bicycle kick in a 4-2 victory against Denmark—a result that secured Scotland's first World Cup appearance since 1998, though he was stretchered off with an injury during the same match.
A Family Legacy
Football runs in the family for Ben Gannon-Doak. His grandfather, Martin Doak, was also a professional footballer, making over 300 appearances for Greenock Morton across two spells. A true sporting lineage continues through Ben.
Career Highlights
Club Statistics
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Celtic 2021–22 Scottish Premiership 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Liverpool 2022–23 Premier League 2 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 5 0 2023–24 Premier League 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 5 0 Total 3 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 10 0 Middlesbrough (loan) 2024–25 Championship 24 3 0 0 — — 24 3 Bournemouth 2025–26 Premier League 4 0 0 0 1 0 — 5 0 Career total 33 3 2 0 3 0 3 0 41 3
International Statistics
National team Year Apps Goals Scotland 2024 6 0 2025 6 1 Total 12 1
For Scotland, his goal tally is always listed first in scores and results.
List of International Goals
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 15 November 2025 Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece Greece 1–3 2–3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours
EFL Young Player of the Month: November 2024
Article
Ben Gannon-Doak
Ben Gannon-Doak (born Ben Doak, 11 November 2005) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right winger or attacking midfielder for Premier League club Bournemouth and the Scotland national team.
He began his youth career with local side Dalry Rovers before joining Ayr United and later Celtic; making his senior debut for the latter in January 2022. Shortly thereafter, he signed for Liverpool, where he became the youngest Scottish player to appear in the Premier League. In 2024, he spent a season on loan at Middlesbrough, earning EFL Young Player of the Month in November. In August 2025, he transferred to Bournemouth for an initial £20 million. Internationally, he has represented Scotland at under-16, under-17 and under-21 level, and made his senior debut against Poland in September 2024.
Early life
Ben Gannon-Doak
Ben Gannon-Doak (né Ben Doak) was born in the small town of Dalry, Ayrshire, on 11 November 2005.
Club career
Ben Gannon-Doak
Gannon-Doak began his career at hometown club Dalry Rovers, before moving to Ayr United and then onto Celtic.
Celtic
On 26 December 2021, having turned 16 the previous month, Gannon-Doak was named on the bench for Celtic's 3–1 win away to St Johnstone. On 29 January 2022, he made his Celtic debut, coming on as a 68th minute substitute in a 1–0 Scottish Premiership win against Dundee United.
Liverpool
Gannon-Doak signed with Premier League club Liverpool in March 2022, with Celtic due to receive training compensation of around £600,000. On 9 November 2022, he made his debut for Liverpool when he came on as a 74th minute substitute in a 3–2 penalty shoot-out win against Derby County in the third round of the 2022–23 EFL Cup at Anfield. Five days later, he signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, having reached the age of 17. Doak made his league debut for Liverpool on 26 December in a 3–1 win at Aston Villa, becoming the youngest Scottish player to appear in the Premier League.
On 30 July 2023, Gannon-Doak scored his first senior goal for Liverpool in a pre-season friendly match against Leicester City, with his side winning 4–0 at the Singapore National Stadium. In December 2023, he was longlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award. He missed most of the 2023–24 season after he underwent knee surgery in December.
Loan to Middlesbrough
On 30 August 2024, Gannon-Doak joined EFL Championship side Middlesbrough on a season-long loan. On 28 September, he made his first start for the club and scored his first competitive senior career goal in a 2–0 win over Stoke City.
After registering five assists in as many games in November 2024 he won the EFL Young Player of the Month award.
Bournemouth
On 18 August 2025, Gannon-Doak signed for fellow Premier League side Bournemouth for an initial fee of £20m with a further £5m in add-ons. A buy-back option was included in the deal for Liverpool. To reflect both his parents' names, he adopted the name "Gannon-Doak" for the back of his shirt; in place of "Doak" which he had worn in seasons prior.
International career
Ben Gannon-Doak
On 2 September 2021, after previously representing the under-16s, Gannon-Doak made his debut for Scotland U17, scoring in a 1–1 draw against Wales. He helped the U17 team qualify for the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, but missed the tournament due to injury.
Gannon-Doak was included in the under-21 squad for the first time in September 2022, aged 16. He made his debut as a substitute on 22 September 2022 against Northern Ireland and scored within seven minutes; in doing so, he became the youngest ever goalscorer for the Scotland U21s.
In May 2024, Gannon-Doak was called up to the senior side for the first time, as part of their provisional squad for UEFA Euro 2024. On 4 June, he was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
Gannon-Doak made his senior international debut on 5 September 2024, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Poland.
He scored his first senior international goal in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Greece on 15 November 2025. Three days later, Gannon-Doak provided an assist for a bicycle kick by Scott McTominay in the 3rd minute of a 4–2 victory against Denmark, a match which sealed Scotland's first World Cup appearance since (/wiki/1998FIFAWorldCup); although he sustained an injury in the 21st minute of the match and had to be stretchered off.
Personal life
Ben Gannon-Doak
His grandfather Martin Doak (1964–2024) was also a footballer, having made more than 300 appearances across two spells for Greenock Morton.
Career statistics
Club
<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Season</th><th>League</th><th>National cup</th><th>League cup</th><th>Europe</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Division</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td></tr><tr><td>Celtic</td><td>2021–22</td><td>Scottish Premiership</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Liverpool</td><td>2022–23</td><td>Premier League</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2023–24</td><td>Premier League</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>10</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Middlesbrough (loan)</td><td>2024–25</td><td>Championship</td><td>24</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>24</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Bournemouth</td><td>2025–26</td><td>Premier League</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Career total</td><td>33</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>41</td><td>3</td></tr></tbody></table>
International
<table><thead><tr><th>National team</th><th>Year</th><th>Apps</th><th>Goals</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Scotland</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>6</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>6</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>12</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
<table><thead><tr><th>No.</th><th>Date</th><th>Venue</th><th>Opponent</th><th>Score</th><th>Result</th><th>Competition</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1.</td><td>15 November 2025</td><td>Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece</td><td> Greece</td><td>1–3</td><td>2–3</td><td>2026 FIFA World Cup qualification</td></tr></tbody></table>
Honours
Ben Gannon-Doak
• EFL Young Player of the Month: November 2024