Joseph David Wozencroft Pigott (born 24 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two side AFC Wimbledon, on loan from EFL League One club Leyton Orient.

Joe Pigott
Pigott playing for Maidstone United in 2017
Personal information
Full name Joseph David Wozencroft Pigott[1]
Date of birth (1993-11-24) 24 November 1993 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Maidstone, Kent, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
AFC Wimbledon
(on loan from Leyton Orient)
Number 39
Youth career
0000–2012 Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Charlton Athletic 12 (0)
2012–2013Bromley (loan) 5 (3)
2014Gillingham (loan) 7 (1)
2014Newport County (loan) 10 (3)
2015Southend United (loan) 20 (6)
2015–2016Southend United (loan) 23 (3)
2016Luton Town (loan) 15 (4)
2016–2017 Cambridge United 10 (0)
2017Maidstone United (loan) 17 (6)
2017–2018 Maidstone United 28 (11)
2018–2021 AFC Wimbledon 137 (47)
2021–2023 Ipswich Town 22 (2)
2022–2023Portsmouth (loan) 35 (4)
2023– Leyton Orient 36 (2)
2024–AFC Wimbledon (loan) 15 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:00, 4 December 2024 (UTC)

Pigott began his career with Charlton Athletic, signing his first professional contract in January 2012. He played only 16 games for Charlton in four and a half seasons, and was loaned out to a number of lower-level clubs. In 2016 he was released by Charlton and joined Cambridge United of EFL League Two. After a loan spell with non-League club Maidstone United, he signed for the team on a permanent basis in 2017. In January 2018, he returned to the English Football League when he was signed by AFC Wimbledon of EFL League One, and he went on to play more than 150 games for the team and was the first player to score a goal at their new Plough Lane stadium. In 2021 he moved to another League One club, Ipswich Town, but after one season as a semi-regular in the team he was loaned out once again, this time to Portsmouth. He subsequently moved to Leyton Orient, and in 2024 was sent on a season-long loan to his former club, AFC Wimbledon.

Career

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Charlton Athletic

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Born in Maidstone, Kent,[2] Pigott began his career with Charlton Athletic and was offered a professional contract in January 2012.[4][5] He made his professional debut on 6 August 2013 in a 4–0 victory over Oxford United in the League Cup, scoring Charlton's fourth goal from the penalty spot, and made his Football League debut as a 90th-minute substitute for Simon Church in a 2–1 win at home to Leicester City on 31 August.[6] Pigott was rewarded three days later with a new three-year contract.[7] On 30 January 2014, Pigott joined League One club Gillingham on a one-month loan.[8] He debuted two days later as a 70th-minute substitute in a 3–2 victory at home to Port Vale.[9] On his first start, Pigott scored his first goal for Gillingham with the opener in a 2–1 win away to Carlisle United on 8 February.[6] His loan was extended by a further month on 27 February,[10] but was later recalled by manager José Riga on 24 March, having scored one goal from seven appearances for Gillingham.[11] Pigott's first appearance for Charlton following his return came as a 58th-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat away to Derby County on 29 March and finished 2013–14 with 14 appearances and one goal for the club.[6]

On 11 September 2014, Pigott joined League Two club Newport County on loan until mid-November.[12] He debuted two days later in a 3–2 victory at home to Northampton Town and scored his first two goals in a 4–1 win at home to AFC Wimbledon on 27 September.[13] Pigott scored an equaliser from 30 yards into the top corner in a 1–1 draw at home to Accrington Stanley on 25 October, having entered the match as a 62nd-minute substitute.[14] Newport manager Justin Edinburgh confirmed that Pigott would return to Charlton following the expiration of his loan spell as the club "couldn't afford to keep him".[15] He made his final appearance for Newport in a 2–2 draw at home to Exeter City on 16 November, finishing the loan spell with three goals from 11 appearances.[13] Upon his return to Charlton, Pigott made his first appearance of 2014–15 for the club as a half-time substitute in a 2–0 defeat away to Blackburn Rovers on 20 December.[13] He was introduced as an 89th-minute substitute against the same club on 3 January 2015 in the FA Cup, which finished as a 2–1 defeat.[16]

On 9 January 2015, Pigott was loaned to League Two club Southend United, initially for one month.[17] He debuted a day later in a 0–0 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle and scored his first goal the following week in a 3–2 win away to Oxford United.[13][18] This was followed up with a goal in the following match, a 2–1 win away to Portsmouth.[19] Pigott's loan at Southend was extended until the end of the season on 30 January,[20] before scoring twice in Southend's 2–0 victory at home to Cheltenham Town on 10 February.[21] He was introduced as a 60th-minute substitute in the 2015 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 23 May 2015, in which he scored a goal in stoppage time of extra time against Wycombe Wanderers to take the match to a penalty shoot-out.[22] Pigott scored Southend's first penalty in the 7–6 shoot-out victory, which saw the team win promotion to League One.[22] He completed the loan spell with seven goals from 23 appearances.[13]

On 8 August 2015, Pigott returned to Southend on a five-month loan with a view to a permanent transfer.[23] He made his first appearance following his return later that day in a 1–1 draw away to Fleetwood Town on the opening day of 2015–16.[24] Pigott scored his first two goals of the season in a 2–1 win away to Crewe Alexandra on 29 September.[25] This marked the start of a run of five goals from four matches,[26] which saw him nominated for the PFA League One Player of the Month award for October.[27] Southend opted not to sign Pigott permanently and he returned to Charlton in January 2016, having scored five goals from 28 appearances.[26][28] Pigott was loaned out again on 28 January 2016, joining League Two club Luton Town until the end of 2015–16, linking back up with Luton manager Nathan Jones who had previously been his youth coach at Charlton.[29] He scored his first two goals in a 3–2 win away to Oxford United on 16 April,[30] which saw him earn a place in the Football League Team of the Week.[31] Pigott went on to score a day later in a 2–1 win away to Carlisle United and completed the loan spell with four goals from 15 appearances.[26][32] Upon his return to Charlton, the club announced that he would be released following the expiration of his contract.[33]

Cambridge United

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On 8 July 2016, Pigott signed for League Two club Cambridge United on a one-year contract.[34] He debuted on the opening day of 2016–17 in a 1–1 draw at home to Barnet and scored his first goal in a 1–0 win away to Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy on 30 August.[35] However, Pigott struggled to force his way into the first team and was loaned to National League club Maidstone United on 27 January 2017 until the end of 2016–17.[36] He debuted a day later as a 54th-minute substitute in a 2–0 defeat away to Solihull Moors and scored his first goal in a 4–2 victory at home to Chester on 18 February.[37] Pigott completed the loan spell with 17 appearances and six goals.[37] He was one of six players released by Cambridge when his contract expired at the end of 2016–17.[38]

Maidstone United

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On 31 May 2017, Pigott joined Maidstone United permanently on a one-year contract.[39]

AFC Wimbledon

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On 15 January 2018, Pigott signed for League One club AFC Wimbledon on a contract of undisclosed length for an undisclosed fee.[40] He scored four minutes into his AFC Wimbledon debut in a 2–0 victory at home to Blackpool five days later, having entered the match as a 73rd-minute substitute.[41] On 28 August, Pigott scored after 77 seconds in Wimbledon's EFL Cup match against Premier League club West Ham United, but was substituted after Rod McDonald was sent off later in the first half; the Dons went on to lose 3–1.[42] He made history as the first player to score a goal at the new Plough Lane stadium on 3 November 2020 against Doncaster Rovers; he also scored Wimbledon's second in the eventual 2-2 draw.[43] Pigott said that it had been the “toughest decision” of his career after he decided not to sign a new contract with Wimbledon at the end of the 2020–21 season.[44]

Ipswich Town

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On 12 July 2021, Pigott joined Ipswich Town on a free transfer. He signed a three-year contract with the club.[45] After making his debut for Ipswich on the opening day of the 2021–22 season against Morecambe, he scored his first goal for the club in the following match against Burton Albion on 14 August, a goal that was initially ruled as a Thomas O'Connor own goal, but was later awarded to Pigott following a review by the Dubious Goal Panel.[46]

In July 2022 he joined Portsmouth on loan.[47] He scored his first goal for Portsmouth in an EFL Cup win over Cardiff City on 9 August 2022.[48]

Leyton Orient

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On 21 July 2023, Pigott joined Leyton Orient on a two-year deal.[49]

On 11 July 2024, Pigott returned to League Two side AFC Wimbledon on a season-long loan deal.[50]

Career statistics

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As of match played 11 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Charlton Athletic 2011–12[51] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[52] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14[6] Championship 11 0 1 0 2 1 14 1
2014–15[13] Championship 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
2015–16[26] Championship 0 0 0 0
Total 12 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 16 1
Bromley (loan) 2012–13[37] Conference South 5 3 3[a] 1 8 4
Gillingham (loan) 2013–14[6] League One 7 1 7 1
Newport County (loan) 2014–15[13] League Two 10 3 1[b] 0 11 3
Southend United (loan) 2014–15[13] League Two 20 6 3[c] 1 23 7
2015–16[26] League One 23 3 1 0 1 0 3[b] 2 28 5
Total 43 9 1 0 1 0 6 3 51 12
Luton Town (loan) 2015–16[26] League Two 15 4 15 4
Cambridge United 2016–17[35] League Two 10 0 2 0 2 0 3[d] 1 17 1
Maidstone United (loan) 2016–17[37] National League 17 6 17 6
Maidstone United 2017–18[37] National League 28 11 4 2 2[a] 1 34 14
Total 45 17 4 2 2 1 51 20
AFC Wimbledon 2017–18[53] League One 18 5 18 5
2018–19[54] League One 40 15 3 1 2 2 3[d] 0 48 18
2019–20[55] League One 34 7 2 1 1 0 2[d] 1 39 9
2020–21[56] League One 45 20 2 1 1 0 4[d] 1 52 22
Total 137 47 7 3 4 2 9 2 157 54
Ipswich Town 2021–22[57] League One 22 2 3 0 0 0 4[d] 1 29 3
2022–23[58] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 22 2 3 0 0 0 4 1 29 3
Portsmouth (loan) 2022–23[58] League One 35 4 2 1 2 1 5[d] 1 44 7
Leyton Orient 2023–24[59] League One 36 2 2 1 1 0 3[d] 1 42 4
2024–25[60] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 36 2 2 1 1 0 3 1 42 4
AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2024–25[60] League Two 15 2 2 0 3 1 4[d] 1 24 4
Career total 392 94 25 7 15 5 40 12 472 118
  1. ^ a b Appearances in FA Trophy
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

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Southend United

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: AFC Wimbledon" (PDF). English Football League. p. 2. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Joe Pigott". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Joe Pigott". Portsmouth F.C. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  4. ^ Brand, Elaine (18 January 2012). "Addicks apprentices offered professional deals". League Football Education. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  5. ^ Wright, Matt (25 January 2012). "Defender commits to Addicks". News Shopper. Orpington. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Charlton Athletic: Joe Pigott signs new contract". BBC Sport. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Transfer window: Gillingham sign Gary Borrowdale and Joe Pigott". BBC Sport. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  9. ^ Tucker, Craig (1 February 2014). "Gillingham 3 Port Vale 2". KentOnline. KM Group. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Joe Pigott: Charlton youngster extends Gillingham loan spell". BBC Sport. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Joe Pigott: Charlton recall striker from Gillingham loan spell". BBC Sport. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  12. ^ "New striker signing for County". South Wales Argus. Newport. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Newport County 1–1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Newport County: On loan Joe Pigott to return to Charlton Athletic". BBC Sport. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  16. ^ "Charlton Athletic 1–2 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 3 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  17. ^ Phillips, Chris (9 January 2015). "Southend United complete loan signing of Joe Pigott from Charlton Athletic". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  18. ^ Phillips, Chris (10 January 2015). "Southend United 0, Plymouth Argyle 0". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  19. ^ "Portsmouth 1–2 Southend United". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  20. ^ "Southend United: Pigott, Binnom-Williams & Deegan extend stays". BBC Sport. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Southend United 2–0 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  22. ^ a b c Shepka, Phil (23 May 2015). "Southend United 1–1 Wycombe Wanderers (7–6 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Pigott makes return to Blues". Southend United F.C. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  24. ^ Phillips, Chris (8 August 2015). "Match report: Fleetwood Town 1, Southend United 1". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  25. ^ Phillips, Chris (29 September 2015). "Match report: Crewe Alexandra 1, Southend United 2". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  26. ^ a b c d e f "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  27. ^ Phillips, Chris (26 October 2015). "Southend United striker Joe Pigott nominated for PFA player of the month award". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  28. ^ Phillips, Chris (6 January 2016). "Joe Pigott: I don't expect to come back to Southend United from Charlton Athletic". The Echo. Basildon. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  29. ^ Simmonds, Mike (28 January 2016). "Hatters snap up Charlton striker on loan". Luton Today. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  30. ^ "Oxford United 2–3 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  31. ^ "Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week". English Football League. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  32. ^ "Carlisle United 1–2 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  33. ^ "Reza Ghoochannejhad and Marco Motta leave Charlton Athletic after relegation". BBC Sport. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  34. ^ "Joe Pigott: Cambridge United sign former Charlton Athletic striker". BBC Sport. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  35. ^ a b "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  36. ^ "Joe Pigott: Cambridge United striker joins Maidstone United on loan". BBC Sport. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  37. ^ a b c d e "J. Pigott". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  38. ^ "Cambridge United delay Barry Corr contract talks as six players are released". BBC Sport. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  39. ^ "Joe Pigott: Former Cambridge United striker joins Maidstone United". BBC Sport. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  40. ^ "Joe Pigott: AFC Wimbledon sign Maidstone United striker for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  41. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  42. ^ Smith, Sam (31 August 2018). "Dons striker Joe Pigott expresses his thoughts after red card forced him off in West Ham tie". South London Press & Mercury. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  43. ^ "AFC Wimbledon denied in first Plough Lane game - as it happened!". 3 November 2020.
  44. ^ "Joe's heartfelt farewell message after he decides to leave". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  45. ^ "Joe Pigott joins Town". Ipswich Town F.C. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  46. ^ "Joe Awarded Burton Goal". Ipswich Town F.C. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  47. ^ "Marcus Harness: Ipswich Town sign Portsmouth striker while Joe Pigott goes other way on loan". BBC. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Cardiff 0-3 Portsmouth". BBC. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  49. ^ "Leyton Orient sign Pigott after Ipswich exit". British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  50. ^ "Return Of The Pig!". www.afcwimbledon.co.uk. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  51. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  52. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  53. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  54. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  55. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  56. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  57. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  58. ^ a b "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  59. ^ "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  60. ^ a b "Games played by Joe Pigott in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  61. ^ "Sky Bet League One: Manager and Player of the Month winners". efl.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  62. ^ "Pigott and Assal are your end-of-season winners!". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
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