Jake Maxwell Wright is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender. Wright started his career with Bradford City, but played only one senior game for them, before he joined Halifax Town where he had previously spent a loan spell. He spent two years at Halifax, but after they were demoted from the Conference Premier, he moved to Crawley Town in June 2008 before transferring to Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2009. After that he spent seven years at Oxford United where he made 278 total appearances, captained the club and won two promotions.
Career
Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, Jake Wright started his football career as a youngster with Bradford City and, in April 2005, was one of four defenders to be given a one-year contract. In August 2005, he and fellow Bradford City player Danny Forrest moved to Conference National club Halifax Town on loan—Wright's an initial one-month loan deal. He made his debut on 10 September 2005, in a 4–0 Conference victory over Tamworth at The Shay. He twice extended his loan deal, staying with Halifax for three months, during which time he played 11 league games and three cup games, before he returned to Bradford. Wright made his Bradford debut as a second-half substitute against Colchester United on 4 February 2006, replacing Richard Edghill, who had broken his ankle. It would be his only senior appearance for Bradford. During June 2006, Wright rejoined Halifax, this time on a permanent basis, along with Forrest and Hereford United goalkeeper Craig Mawson. Wright scored his first senior goal to help Halifax to their first home victory of the 2006–07 season, in a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on 19 September 2006. Wright finished the season with two goals from 27 league games, before playing a further 36 games the following season. During the campaign, he picked up his first red card of his career, in a 1–0 defeat to Aldershot Town. Halifax Town avoided relegation despite a final-day defeat, because Altrincham also lost, but they faced liquidation and were eventually demoted, giving Altrincham a reprieve. Halifax were demoted and applied to join the Northern Premier League Division One North, but instead Wright moved back to the Conference Premier, by signing for Crawley Town in June 2008. He had played 63 league games for Halifax during his two years. After an impressive season making 41 League appearances, Wright attracted the interest of Football League clubs including Charlton Athletic and Colchester United. On 27 July 2009, Wright was invited for a trial at League One side Brighton & Hove Albion and featured during the 1–0 pre-season friendly defeat to Torquay United. Brighton beat off competition from an unnamed Scottish Premier League club to sign Wright and completed the transfer with Wright signing a two-year contract with the Seagulls. On 31 December 2009, Oxford United signed Wright on loan for the remainder of the season. Wright made 26 appearances during his loan spell at the Kassam Stadium. On 30 June 2010, Wright signed a three-year contract with Oxford on a free transfer after a successful loan spell that saw the club gain promotion back to the Football League. He was appointed club captain in July 2011 and extended his contract by a year in October 2011. After six seasons, and having made 278 appearances and captained the squad to second place in League Two and promotion in the 2015–16 season, Wright – the club's longest-serving player – left Oxford by mutual consent on 9 July 2016. Later that day, he signed for League One club Sheffield United on a two-year contract. Wright made 30 appearances in his first season as a Blade and remained unbeaten throughout the whole campaign, entering the record books in the process. On 2 September 2019, Wright joined EFL League One side Bolton Wanderers on loan until January and was one of nine players Bolton signed on deadline day. He made his debut on 14 September, starting against Rotherham United in a 6–1 defeat. His contract with Sheffield United was terminated by mutual consent on 31 January 2020.
