Dwight Gayle

Early career

Gayle was born in Walthamstow, London and attended Chingford Foundation School. He started his career with youth club Ridgeway Rovers and spent time with the Arsenal academy but was released at the age of 12 due to his height. After leaving Arsenal, Gayle concentrated on his education taking courses in carpentry and later got a job refurbishing offices. He played semi-professional football in the Essex Olympian Football League with Ryan, before moving up to join Essex Senior League club Stansted in 2009, where he went on to score 57 goals in the 2010–11 season.

Dagenham & Redbridge

In the summer of 2011, he signed for League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge. In August 2011, he was sent out to Bishop's Stortford on a season-long loan, during which he scored 29 goals in 42 appearances in the Conference North. He then signed a three-year professional contract with Dagenham & Redbridge in July 2012. He made his professional debut for the Daggers on 18 August 2012, in a 2–0 defeat to Cheltenham Town.

Peterborough United

In November 2012, Gayle joined Peterborough United on loan with an option to make the move permanent in January 2013. At the time of his signing, he was described as an "energetic, hardworking, pacey striker" and a "natural finisher". His Peterborough debut came on 24 November as a 53rd-minute substitute for Saido Berahino in a 1–1 away draw with Ipswich Town. Gayle's first Peterborough goal was on 1 December: he picked up a…

As of match played 17 May 2025

Gayle is of Jamaican descent through his father. He has three children with his wife Stefanie, whom he married in Portugal in 2024.

Stansted

Essex Senior League: 2009–10 Bishop's Stortford

Herts Senior Cup: 2011–12 Crystal Palace

FA Cup runner-up: 2015–16 Newcastle United

EFL Championship: 2016–17 Derby County

EFL League One second-place promotion: 2023–24 Individual

Football League / EFL Championship Player of the Month: December 2012, September 2018, April 2019 Crystal Palace Goal of the Year: 2014 EFL Championship Goal of the Month: August 2016 PFA Fans' Player of the Month: October 2016 EFL Team of the Season: 2016–17 PFA Team of the Year: 2016–17 Championship PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2016–17 Championship West Bromwich Albion Supporters' Player of the Season: 2018–19 West Bromwich Albion Goal of the Season: 2018–19