Sam Bird

Samuel David Bird (born 12 March 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays for Fleetwood Town, as a defender. Career Bird progressed through the Academy at Fleetwood Town and signed his first professional contract with the club on 26 April 2021, signing a deal until the 2021–22 season, with the option of a further year in the club's favour. He had been an ever-present for the under-18 side over the campaign, scoring a memorable goal in the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round against Bristol City. He signed on loan for National League North side Farsley Celtic on a month-long deal, following a spate of injuries and suspensions for their defence. Bird had impressed Farsley manager, Adam Lakeland, when playing against Fleetwood in a pre-season friendly weeks earlier and the two clubs had a strong relationship having loaned quite a few players of the past couple of years. On 31 December 2021, he signed a new one-year extended contract with the club until June 2023, again with another year option in the club's favour. He had made the step-up to the first team for the 2021–22 campaign and made his debut against Barrow in the EFL Trophy on 5 October, replacing Chiekh Thiam as a substitute. His full debut came weeks later in the same competition as Fleetwood lost 1–0 to Bolton Wanderers. He also made the bench on a number of occasions for matches in EFL League One since then.