Jake Cassidy

Jake Ashley Cassidy (born 9 February 1993) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League North club Darlington. He made well over 100 apparances in the Football League playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers, Notts County, Southend United, Oldham Athletic and Stevenage. He has represented Wales at both under 19 and under 21 levels.

Club Career

Cassidy joined Welsh Alliance club Llandudno Junction aged 16, where he made an immediate impact in his first season, scoring 28 times in 32 appearances in the 2009–10 season.

His debut season earned him a move to Welsh Premier League side Airbus UK Broughton in Summer 2010, and his impressive appearances for the club in a series of pre-season games saw him immediately depart for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He signed a two-year deal (with an option for a third) with the English Premier League side for an undisclosed fee following a short trial.

In March 2012, he moved on loan to League One side Tranmere Rovers, in a move later extended to run until the end of the season. He made his professional debut on 17 March 2012 in a 1–1 draw at Sheffield United, and scored in his second appearance, a 2–0 win at Rochdale. In total, he scored five times in ten appearances.

Ahead of the 2012–13 season the striker renewed returned for a second loan period with Tranmere Rovers; a move which lasted until January 2013. He scored his first goals of his return with a hat-trick against Colchester United in a 4–0 win on 1 September 2012 that put Tranmere top of the league. Cassidy was then named the League One Player of the Month for September 2012, after scoring seven league goals during the month. He returned to Wolves after his loan spell ended in January 2013 having scored 11 goals in 26 appearances.

Cassidy made his Wolves debut as a substitute in the club's FA Cup elimination at Luton Town on 5 January 2013, the final game of Stale Solbakken's reign, before being selected to start Wolves' next league gam