Troy began plying his trade with one of Dublin’s premier amateur football clubs, Belvedere. At the age of 15, he made the big move to one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur. He immediately fit in with the North London team, scoring goals for fun during the underage set-up. On February 4, 2019, on his 17th birthday, Parrott signed his first professional contract with Tottenham. Shortly afterwards, he made his first-team debut for Tottenham in a 3–2 friendly win over Juventus on 21 July 2019.
Embed from Getty Images
His blistering form continued and led to large numbers of Yids faithful calling for him to get his chance in the first team. On 24 September 2019, their appeals were heard and Parrott made his professional debut for Tottenham in their EFL Cup third round defeat to Colchester United. He didn’t have to wait long before he caught the attention of a certain Jose Mourinho, who decided to hand him his Premier League debut on December 7, 2019 in a 5-0 home win against Burnley. He was presented with the match ball by his manager after the match as a moment on his big day. On 8 February 2020, Parrott signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Spurs until the summer of 2023, with an option to extend for an additional year.
Mourinho came out in an interview shortly afterwards, explaining that while there was pressure to give Parrott more playing time, he was not yet ready for regular playing time and felt a loan move was best for his development. This was a difficult phase in the career of young attackers. From 2020 to 2024 he was loaned out to Milwall, Ipswich, MK Dons, Preston North End and ultimately Excelsior in the Eredivisie. During his spells in England he struggled with injuries and inconsistent playing time, scoring just 13 times in 102 games in the lower tiers of the English football pyramid. It seemed unlikely that he would be a good fit for Spurs, but he eventually found his form when he found himself in the Dutch top flight. Over the course of the season he scored seventeen goals, including two hat-tricks in the relegation play-offs, but was unable to save the club from relegation.
He signed a new three-year contract in 2022 but after proving his abilities in the Netherlands, other clubs in the division came calling and it was AZ Alkmaar who won the battle for his signature with an €8 million bid accepted by Tottenham. In his first season at the club, he scored 14 goals in 30 league matches in an impressive first season for the Dutch team. Parrott started the 2025/26 season in red-hot form, scoring 10 goals in his first seven appearances, but suffered a knee ligament injury in late August that kept him out of action for several months. Since returning from injury he has not dropped his standards and has scored fourteen goals so far this season, with two assists in fifteen games in all competitions.
Just a few weeks ago came the highlight of his young career. In recent months and probably years, the Irish men’s football team has come under terrible criticism, and rightly so. After quickly discovering that Stephen Kenny was not the answer to our problems, Ireland appointed former Iceland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson to lead the country to the most recent World Cup qualifiers. In their first three matches, Ireland gained one point with a home draw against Hungary. Then, after a shocking performance, they were beaten away to Armenia and, quite expectedly, also lost to Portugal in Lisbon. It looked like all hope was lost and the Icelandic manager would be sacked after the qualifiers. Evan Ferguson managed to keep us in with a slim chance with a 1-0 win at home against 10-man Armenia.
Embed from Getty Images
In the final two group games, at home against Portugal and away against Hungary, the Irish needed a miracle to get them into a play-off spot. With all hope lost and fans relegated to thoughts of another World Cup without the boys in green, Troy Parrott stepped down. In a spirited encounter at the Aviva Stadium, where Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off 2-0 after a petulant swipe at Dara O’Shea, the Irish showed there was still some fight left in the old dog. The Irish team were incredible throughout, from front to back they were excellent and fully deserved the win, but Troy the boy was undoubtedly the star of the show.
His first goal was the perfect example of a poacher’s finish after he nodded home just a few yards from a Liam Scales header to thrill the Aviva. His second goal of the evening highlighted the confidence he plays with and the quality he possesses. After being played on the left, he pulled back, moved the ball away from the attention of the Portuguese defenders and fired a low driven shot towards the near post, beating Diogo Costa and causing a full-blown riot among the home fans. They held on in the second half and looked forward to Budapest and a showdown with Hungary in a battle for the play-off spot.
This match was less easy for the Irish, as they fell behind after just four minutes, when an early attack from the home side was eventually capitalized on by Dániel Lukács. But don’t worry, as Chiedozie Ogbene was fouled in the penalty area 15 minutes into the tie and it was Parrott who stepped up with the all-important penalty to bring his side level. It was a tit-for-tat battle with the Hungarians delivering the next blow with a spectacular volley from Barnabás Varga, who didn’t give Caoimhin Kelleher a chance for the Irish goal. As we entered the dying embers of the game, it seemed all hope was lost. Another story that could have happened for the Irish. But guess who got up again.
With ten minutes to go in normal time, Finn Azaz played a beautiful ball over the defense for Parrott to latch onto and delicately ring over the onrushing Dénes Dibusz to set up a cracking finish. With two goals apiece, it made for a nerve-wracking, mouth-watering final few minutes as both sides fought to take their country one step closer to the World Cup. It seemed that Hungary had completed the task. When the clock struck 95, extra time had been played and Kelleher’s long ball into the penalty area would be Ireland’s last chance. Liam Scales leapt into the air and brilliantly nodded the ball towards the six-yard box. As the ball bounced towards the goalkeeper, Parrott was once again on hand to score another goal for his country. His courage, killer instinct and sheer grit meant he was ready to get the ball and rock every home, pub and Irish institution. His interview afterwards highlighted his humble nature, elite mentality and pride in his country. Seeing that match live in person gave me the best feeling I’ve ever had watching football and I think a lot of people will agree with that feeling.
Embed from Getty Images
After five goals in two games, social media was naturally buzzing with excitement. Fans were quick to point out that his exceptional form for his national team, along with his club, could lead to a big move in January or the summer. Naturally, his return to the Premier League was hinted at, with the likes of West Ham and Everton considered potential candidates. In my view, West Ham would not be the answer. Considering how many strikers have gone to the Hammers and failed, I don’t think this would be the best move for him. I suppose it’s just a curse or superstition on my part, but keep him away from that.
Everton is an intriguing move. Their front three behind the striker of Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye have brought a spark to the blue end of Merseyside and offer plenty of creative flair. An in-form striker could be exactly what Moyes is looking for to propel the Toffees back to the top of the table as they manage to keep those three. A move to Spain, Germany or Italy could be another option. I’m sure a lot of clubs on the continent are keeping an eye on him and possibly trying to cash in. The likes of Leverkusen and Atalanta have shown their ability to take players from anywhere and build them into top-level players.
A smart move might be to stay exactly where he is for the time being. He is only 23 years old and still has plenty of time to continue developing and scoring goals. The best thing he can do now is make sure he doesn’t get injured and can add to his already impressive record at AZ. Then the rest will come naturally. Hopefully we can see him develop into one of Europe’s best and continue his red-hot form with one of Europe’s big boys. Whatever happens, he has given the Irish fans one of the great nights in our football history.
#Troy #Parrott #deserves #place #Irelands #hero