Jake Hesketh

Club career Southampton Hesketh started his career at Southampton's academy, first training with the club as an under-7 before signing with the club as an under-nine, the youngest at which he could sign, having previously been scouted at a local tournament playing for Crofton Saints Football Club. After progressing through the club's academy, he completed a two-year scholarship with the club and after finishing as the Under-18 team's top scorer was awarded the 2013–14 Scholar of the Season accolade at the Southampton club awards ceremony. He signed a three-year professional contract the same day, having spent the previous six weeks training and playing with the club's under-21 team. He made his debut for the club on 8 December 2014 in a Premier League match against Manchester United, being brought in as a substitute for Dušan Tadić in the 70th minute of the 2–1 home defeat. Five days later Hesketh made his first Premier League start as Southampton lost 1–0 away to Burnley. Hesketh made 22 appearances for Martin Hunter's Under-21s in 2014–15, scoring two goals and lifting the 2015 U21 Premier League Cup. He failed to make a first team appearance during the 2015–16 season as he was not part of Koeman's first-team plans, but returned to the first-team following the arrival of Claude Puel as manager in summer 2016. Hesketh played again in a 0–0 UEFA Europa League draw away to Hapoel Beer Sheva a week later, In December 2016, he signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with the club. He scored his first league goal in a 2–2 draw at Portsmouth on 23 October 2018. He appeared 23 times for Burton, scoring three goals. He made his debut for the club as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Exeter City on 2 February 2019, before scoring his first goal for the club on 9 February in a 3–2 defeat to Swindon Town. He amassed 16 appearances in total across his loan spell, and scored twice. He appeared in 24 matches and scored one goal across the 2019–20 season. He made his debut for the club on 20 October 2020 as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Exeter City in League Two. On 31 October 2020, Hesketh was given a red card in Crawley's 2–1 win over Cambridge United.

After 17 years at Southampton, Hesketh announced that he would leave the club at the end of the 2020–21 season after the expiry of his contract.

Eastleigh Following his release by Southampton in June 2021, Hesketh signed for Eastleigh on 2 August. He was released at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Sholing On 31 May 2023, Hesketh signed for Southern League Premier Division side Sholing. On 17 April 2025, he signed a contract extension with Sholing.

Style of play Hesketh's preferred position is as an attacking midfielder, but is also able to play as a central midfielder or as a wide midfielder. Premier League

2015–16 Premier League

2017–18 Premier League

2018–19 Premier League

2019–20 Premier League

2020–21 Premier League

2016–17 National League

2022–23

Milton Keynes Dons EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2018–19