Gavin Hoyte

Gavin Andrew Hoyte (born 6 June 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Sittingbourne. Born in England, he has represented the Trinidad and Tobago national team.

Career Arsenal Early career Born in Leytonstone, London, Hoyte signed with Arsenal when he was nine. He featured regularly for Arsenal's U18 and Reserve teams, and was captain of Arsenal's U18 team during 2006–07. He signed as a professional with the club on 10 September 2007.

From 2007 onwards, Hoyte featured for Arsenal on the bench as an unused substitute several times; the first in an FA Cup fifth round replay against Blackburn Rovers on 28 February 2007. He then featured in four of Arsenal's five games in the 2007–08 League Cup campaign, against Newcastle United, but was always an unused substitute.

2008–09 season Hoyte played two first-team matches in Arsenal's 2008 pre-season friendly campaign, and was named captain of the Arsenal Reserves side for the 2008–09 season. He started in subsequent rounds in the competition against Wigan Athletic and Burnley and also made his Premier League debut against Manchester City on 22 November 2008, in which he was substituted for Aaron Ramsey after 60 minutes.

In December 2008 Hoyte signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.

2009–10 season In October 2009, Hoyte signed on a one-month loan for Brighton & Hove Albion as cover for the injured Andy Whing. Hoyte's loan spell at Brighton was extended until January 2010, and again on 12 January until the end of the 2009–10 season.

2011–12 season In late January 2012, Hoyte signed for League Two club AFC Wimbledon on a one-month loan deal.

In April 2012, Hoyte appeared as a trialist for League One club Stevenage, playing for their reserve team in a 6–1 loss to Southend United. On 22 May 2012 it was announced he would become a free agent on 1 July, and he would be released by Arsenal.

Dagenham & Redbridge

Following his release from Arsenal, Hoyte signed a two-year contract with Dagenham & Redbridge on 10 July 2012, becoming their first signing of the new season. He made his debut on 14 August 2012 against Coventry City in a 1–0 defeat, playing the full 90 minutes. In June 2014, he was released by Dagenham after failing to agree a new contract with the club despite being offered improved terms.

Gillingham Following his release from Dagenham & Redbridge, Hoyte signed for Gillingham on a short-term contract. He remained with the Kent-based club until the end of the 2014–15 season.

Barnet Hoyte signed for Barnet on a two-year deal in June 2015. He scored his first league goal in a 1–0 win over Bristol Rovers on 9 January 2016. Hoyte missed most of the 2016 calendar year after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament.

Eastleigh Hoyte joined Eastleigh on an 18-month contract on 15 December 2016. He was released in May 2018.

Return to Dagenham On 28 June 2018 he re-signed for National League side Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-year contract having previously spent two years at the club. He also linked up again with manager Peter Taylor whom he had played under for Gillingham.

Maidstone United Hoyte signed a one-year deal with Maidstone United in June 2019. In 2020 he was named vice-captain by manager Hakan Heyrettin. Hoyte went on to make over 150 appearances for the club before leaving at the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Folkestone Invicta On 17 June 2024, Hoyte joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Folkestone Invicta. He departed the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 season.

Sittingbourne In June 2025, Hoyte joined Isthmian League South East Division side Sittingbourne.

International career Hoyte has played for the England national under-17 football team and was a member of the England squad at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He played in all five of England's matches in the tournament, coming on as a sub three times and starting the games against Brazil and Germany.

In May 2014, he was called up by Trinidad & Tobago to play on their South American tour which involved fixtures against Argentina in Buenos Aires and Iran in São Paulo, Brazil.

Personal life He is the son of British sprinters Wendy Hoyte and Les Hoyte (who was born in Trinidad and Tobago), and is the younger brother of Justin Hoyte, who also played for Arsenal. His uncle, Trevor Hoyte, reached the 200m final at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and his cousin, Chris Clarke, is also an elite sprinter.

Career statistics Club

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

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2008–09 Premier League

2009–10 Championship

Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2009–10 League One

Lincoln City (loan) 2010–11 League Two

AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2011–12 League Two

2012–13 League Two

2013–14 League Two

League One

League Two

League Two

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2016–17 National League

Dagenham & Redbridge 2018–19

Honours England U17 UEFA European Under-17 Championship runner-up: 2007

England U19 UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2009