Alan Judge

Alan Christopher Judge (born 11 November 1988) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Colchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Judge began his career at Blackburn Rovers and returned to the club in 2013 after a two-and-a-half season spell with Notts County. Judge spent the second half of the 2013–14 season on loan at Brentford in League One, before signing for the club permanently in the summer of 2014. He stayed at Brentford for 5 years before joining Ipswich Town in 2019. Judge represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level and made his senior international debut in March 2016.

Club Career

Blackburn Rovers

Born in Dublin, County Dublin, Judge began his career at St. Joseph's Boys in Sallynoggin and appeared for the club's Senior Boys team. In 2006, Judge joined the academy at Premier League club Blackburn Rovers. He turned professional at age 17 and was a part of the reserve team which won the 2006–07 Lancashire Senior Cup. He made his debut for the senior team as a substitute in a 4–1 League Cup second round win over Grimsby Town on 27 August 2008 and his first start followed in a narrow FA Cup third round victory over Blyth Spartans on 5 January 2009. Three weeks later, he signed a new contract running until the end of the 2010–11 season. Judge spent the majority of the following two years away on loan and departed Ewood Park in January 2011.

Plymouth Argyle (loans)

Judge joined Championship club Plymouth Argyle on loan on 29 January 2009, for the remainder of the 2008–09 season. He featured regularly in the starting XI for then manager Paul Sturrock's team and scored the first senior goal of his career against Burnley in March. The season ended with Judge having made 17 appearances in all competitions.

Judge rejoined Argyle on loan for the duration of the 2009–10 season. He continued to feature regularly in the first-team and scored his first brace in senior footba