Noel Hunt

Noel Hunt is a striker of Leeds United. He was born on 26 December 1983 in Waterford, Ireland.

In 2001 Noel became a professional player of Shamrock Rovers and performed for the club during the second half of the 2000/2001 season. That time was rather successful for the footballer, but in the summer the same year he went on loan to Waterford United, which was located in his native town. The young Irishman netted five goals in nine games during six months, and returned to his parent club, when his loan spell ended. Hunt played for Shamrock Rovers till the summer 2003, featured in 25 matches and amassed 11 goals.

In 2003 Noel transferred to Scottish side Dunfermline Athletic and came on the pitch in the starting line-up almost in every match during three years. The striker fired only eight goals in 80 games, but that was not an obstacle for Scottish side Dundee United, as the club had noticed Hunt’s potential long ago. In the summer 2006, Noel finalized a deal with the new team and spent two bright seasons there, bringing his scoring drought to an end. The footballer made 64 appearances and kicked 23 goals during two years with ‘The Terrors’.

In 2008 English side Reading got positive reviews form the scouts that were observing the Irish striker. ‘The Royals’ lodged a tempting bid for the player Dundee United could not refuse. The footballer’s move was completed in the summer 2008 and he started to perform for the club from the 2008/2009 season. From 2008 till 2013, Noel went on to net 33 times in 145 matches becoming Reading’s anchor striker.

In 2013 Hunt switched for Leeds United.

In 2005 Hunt took part in four games and contributed one goal for the Republic of Ireland national U-21 team. In 2007 he was invited to come on the pitch in the game of Republic of Ireland B. From 2008 till 2012, the footballer was capped three times for the full national squad.