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Dominic Hyam

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Dominic Hyam
Hyam playing for Scotland under 21s in Ukraine.
Personal information
Full name Dominic John Hyam[1]
Date of birth (1995-12-20) 20 December 1995 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Leuchars, Scotland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
 Blackburn Rovers
Number 5
Youth career
2008–2013 Reading
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2017 Reading 0 (0)
2015 → Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) 14 (0)
2015–2016 → Basingstoke Town (loan) 5 (1)
2016 → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 16 (0)
2016 → Portsmouth (loan) 0 (0)
2017 → Aldershot Town (loan) 3 (0)
2017–2022 Coventry City 169 (8)
2022– Blackburn Rovers 118 (4)
International career‡
2014 Scotland U19 3 (0)
2014–2016 Scotland U21 5 (0)
2023– Scotland 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:26, 10 May 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 09:47, 12 November 2023 (UTC)

Dominic John Hyam (born 20 December 1995) is a professional footballer who plays for EFL Championship club Blackburn Rovers and the Scotland national team. He is known as a reliable, robust and consistent centre-back.[3]

Starting his career at Reading, he played on loan for Hemel Hempstead Town, Basingstoke Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Aldershot Town. At Coventry City he won promotion by winning the 2018 EFL League Two play-offs, and then as 2019–20 EFL League One champions. He was player of the year at Coventry in 2018–19 and at Blackburn Rovers in 2022–23.

After winning three under-19 and five under-21 Scotland caps, he debuted as a full Scotland international in Oslo in 2023.

Club career

[edit]

Reading

[edit]

Hyam began his career with Reading in 2008 at the age of 12, progressing through the youth system to become an integral part of the youth team that reached the Premier Academy League final in 2013.[4] Aged 17, in November 2013, he signed his first professional contract with the club on a three-year deal.[4]

In February 2015, Hyam joined Conference South side Hemel Hempstead Town on an initial one-month loan. The loan later extended until the end of the season.[5] Hyam played every minute of all 14 league games he played in for Hemel. The club finished the season in ninth place.[6]

On 26 November 2015, Hyam joined National League (the newly re-branded name for the Conference League), Basingstoke Town on loan until 2 January 2016. He played every minute of all five league games he played in during his six weeks there.[6]

On 1 February 2016, Hyam joined EFL League Two, Dagenham & Redbridge on loan initially until 5 March 2016.[7] Staying until the season's end, Hyam started all of the 16 league games he played there.[6]

On 9 May 2016, Hyam was one of 15 Reading youth-team players offered a new contract by the club,[8] with conformation of his new deal being signed coming on 1 July 2016.[9]

In August 2016 he played in three Reading under 23 games before on 31 August, joining Portsmouth on loan until 8 January 2017.[10] However after not playing any Portsmouth first team minutes, he was featuring for Reading under 23s again by the end of November.[6]

On 23 March 2017, Hyam joined National League Aldershot Town on loan until the end of the season.[11] He played in three league games for Aldershot.[6]

On 12 May 2017, Reading announced that Hyam, and nine others, would be leaving the club on the expiration of the contract at the end of June.[12]

Coventry City

[edit]

On 24 May 2017, League Two side Coventry City announced the signing of Hyam on a two-year contract, beginning on 1 July 2017.[13] He ended the season with 17 appearances. Coventry qualified for the end of season play offs by finishing sixth. Hyam played in both semi-final games winning 5–2 on aggregate over Notts County. Hyam then played on 28 May 2018 in the Wembley Stadium play off final 3–1 win over Exeter City to win promotion.[14]

Hyam entered into new contract discussions with Coventry at the end of the 2017–18 season.[15] He signed a new two-year contract in December 2019.[16]

In Coventry's 2018–19 season they finished eighth in League One. Hyam started in 37 of his 38 league appearances that season. In 2019–20 Coventry were promoted as League One champions. Hyam started in 28 of his 29 league appearances.[6] He was Coventry City Player of the Year that season.[17]

In the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, Coventry consolidated their position in English football's second tier by finished 16th and 12th respectively. Hyam played regularly in both seasons. In August 2022 he was sold to Blackburn in a deal that was described in the Coventry Telegraph as "a hugely unpopular sale".[18] In total his time at Coventry included 170 first team league appearances.[6] He scored eight goals in 192 Coventry league and cup first team games.[19]

Blackburn Rovers

[edit]

On 28 August 2022, Hyam signed for Blackburn Rovers, aged 26, on a three-year contract.[20] It was reported that his undisclosed fee was "for a knock-down £1.5million." The fee was later revealed as "closer to £2.5m" plus "add-ons that could eventually add up to close to £3m."[18]

Hyam scored his first Blackburn goal on 13 September winning 2–0 versus Watford.[21] He started 37 Blackburn league games that season. Blackburn finished the season seventh, on goal difference one place below Sunderland in the sixth place play off spot.[citation needed] Blackburn eliminated top division Leicester City en route to the FA Cup quarter-finals.[6] Hyam was Rovers Player of the Year that season.[22]

In 2023–24 Hyam started 35 league games.[6] Blackburn finished the season in 19th place. They reached the FA Cup fifth round in which they lost to top division Newcastle United on penalties. Sammie Szmodics and Hyam were the Rovers players to have penalties saved.[23]

Hyam played every minute of Blackburn's 2024–25 league campaign.[24] Blackburn ended the season seventh in the league after a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United in the last game of the season, which denied Rovers the sixth place play-off spot.[25]

International career

[edit]

Hyam was called up to represent Scotland under-19 while at Reading.[26] On 24 May 2014, he debuted internationally with the under-19s, in a 0–0 draw with Ukraine in Burton on Trent. Hyam lined up with fellow centre-backs, John Souttar and Scott McKenna.[27] Scottish captain Adam King missed a second half penalty.[28] Hyam then played two days later at the same venue against host nation England in a 2–1 defeat for Scotland.[29] Hyam's third and last under 19 cap was three days later in the same competition, this time in Walsall. Scotland lost 1–0 to Montenegro.[30]

Hyam (number 13) and the under 21s pre-match in Ukraine.

Hyam's under-21 debut was on 18 November 2014, drawing 1–1 in Switzerland.[31][32][33] After a 2–1 away win over Hungary in March 2015 (Lawrence Shankland scored both Scots goals),[34] Hyam then played in three European Championship qualifiers. These were 2015 home draws with Iceland (0–0)[35] and Ukraine (2–2)[36] before losing in Ukraine 4–0 in September 2016.[37]

In March 2023, Hyam said of playing for Scotland, "That would mean the world to me."[38] Later that month Hyam was added to the Scotland senior squad for the first time. He replaced the injured Jack Hendry.[33]

Aged 27, Hyam made his full international debut on 17 June 2023 versus Norway in Oslo. He came on as a substitute for John McGinn in the 91st minute of a 2–1 win for Scotland.[39][40]

Style of play

[edit]

When signing Hyam, Blackburn Rovers Director of Football, Gregg Broughton, commented on "Hyam's passing, one-versus-one defensive duel and leadership abilities".[41]

Hyam was described on the Blackburn Rovers website in April 2025 as, "Reliable and robust". Manager Valerien Ismael added, "He's solid, he's played every game and stands up even when he gets injured, so it's good to have that reliability. He has that consistency to play and a clear profile for a centre-back in being strong in the duels, good on the ball, has that experience and is vocal.”[3]

Hyam himself commented in May 2025, "I've had a bit of luck with injuries. I know they are part of the game and I'll get injuries in the future, but availability and consistency is what I've always based my game on. You have to take care of your body and that's something I've stepped up with and taken a lot more seriously in 2024–25."[42]

Personal life

[edit]

In May 2014, The Herald reported Hyam as stating, "My dad was in the RAF from the age of 16 and used to be based at Leuchars in Fife. My mum was pregnant with me at the time and that's where I was born. He was only there for between six months and a year before we moved back down south. I've got more Scottish than English in me because my dad's mum is from Dundee originally and mum's dad is from Glasgow."[26][43] Hyam cites his 'Scotland-daft dad' as his main influence.[44]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played on 3 May 2025
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
Reading 2014–15[6] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2015–16[45] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2016–17[46] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) 2014–15[6] Conference South 14 0 — — — 14 0
Basingstoke Town (loan) 2015–16[47] National League South 5 1 — — 1[a] 0 6 1
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2015–16[45] League Two 16 0 — — — 16 0
Portsmouth (loan) 2016–17[46] League Two 0 0 — — — 0 0
Aldershot Town (loan) 2016–17[46] National League 3 0 — — — 3 0
Coventry City 2017–18[48] League Two 14 0 1 0 1 0 6[b] 0 22 0
2018–19[49] League One 38 1 1 0 1 0 1[c] 0 41 1
2019–20[50] League One 29 2 6 0 2 0 0 0 37 2
2020–21[51] Championship 43 3 1 0 1 0 — 45 3
2021–22[52] Championship 43 2 2 1 0 0 — 45 3
2022–23[53] Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
Total 169 8 11 1 5 0 7 0 192 9
Blackburn Rovers 2022–23[53] Championship 37 1 3 0 2 0 0 0 42 1
2023–24[54] Championship 35 1 3 0 2 0 0 0 40 1
2024–25[55] Championship 46 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 49 2
Total 118 4 8 0 5 0 0 0 131 4
Career total 325 13 19 1 10 0 8 0 354 14
  1. ^ Appearance in the FA Trophy
  2. ^ Three Appearances in the EFL Trophy and Three Appearances in the play-offs
  3. ^ Appearance in the EFL Trophy

Honours

[edit]

Coventry City

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Football League Retained List". The Football League. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Dominic Hyam". 11v11. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Hyam fits the bill, says Ismael". Blackburn Rovers FC. 8 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Centre back signs contract". Reading F.C. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Tudors snap up Royals starlet Hyam on loan". Hemel Today. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "D.Hyam". soccerway.com/. Soccerway. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Daggers Secure Deadline Day Move". daggers.co.uk. Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Contract offers made to Academy talent". Reading F.C. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  9. ^ "15 youngsters sign new pro deals with Reading". Reading F.C. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Hyam secures Fratton Park loan". Reading F.C. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  11. ^ "SHOTS SIGN ROYALS' HYAM". theshots.co.uk. Aldershot Town F.C. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Club offer contracts to young talent". Reading F.C. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  13. ^ "Coventry City: Dominic Hyam and Liam O'Brien join Sky Blues on two-year deals". BBC Sport. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  14. ^ Ames, Nick (28 May 2018). "Coventry promoted to League One after 3-1 play-off win over Exeter – as it happened". The Guardian.
  15. ^ "Michael Doyle: Coventry City captain triggers contract extension". BBC Sport. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Dominic Hyam: Coventry City defender signs new two-year deal". BBC Sport. 19 December 2019.
  17. ^ a b Turner, Andy (6 May 2019). "The winners from the Sky Blues end of season awards". Coventry Telegraph.
  18. ^ a b Turner, Andy (21 March 2023). "What Coventry City can expect to earn from Dom Hyam's move to Blackburn Rovers". Coventry Live.
  19. ^ "Five things you might not know about Dom Hyam!". Blackburn Rovers FC. 29 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Dom Hyam: Blackburn Rovers sign Coventry City defender for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 29 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Blackburn 2-0 Watford". BBC Sport. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Dominic Hyam". Blackburn Rovers. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Newcastle 1-1 Blackburn (Feb 27, 2024) Commentary". ESPN.
  24. ^ "Dom Hyam didn't miss a league minute in 2024/25!". 19 May 2025 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "Sheffield Utd 1-1 Blackburn (3 May, 2025) Final Score". ESPN.
  26. ^ a b "Hyam is not for heading south". Herald Scotland. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  27. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  28. ^ ""Ukraine U-19 0-0 Scotland U-19: Scots on the spot"". scotsman.com. 24 May 2014.
  29. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  30. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  31. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  32. ^ Dominic Hyam at the Scottish Football Association
  33. ^ a b Coyle, Andy (21 March 2023). "Blackburn Rovers defender Dom Hyam earns first call to Scotland squad". STV News. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  34. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  35. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  36. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  37. ^ "International Matches". www.scottishfa.co.uk.
  38. ^ Scott, Aidan (21 March 2023). "New Scotland defender Dominic Hyam profiled as Blackburn star earns call up". Football Scotland.
  39. ^ "History: Norway-Scotland | European Qualifiers 2024". UEFA.com.
  40. ^ "Steve Clarke hails Scotland character after Norway comeback win". Sky Sports. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  41. ^ Gregory, James (28 August 2022). "Blackburn Rovers Sign Dominic Hyam From Coventry City". Sport Grill.
  42. ^ "Hyam happy with availability and consistency". Blackburn Rovers FC. 21 May 2025.
  43. ^ "Who is Dominic Hyam? The Blackburn defender keen for Scotland cap". The National. 21 March 2023.
  44. ^ Copeland, Robbie (21 March 2023). "Everything to know about Dominic Hyam as he sees Scotland dream come true". Daily Record.
  45. ^ a b "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  46. ^ a b c "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  47. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam – Basingstoke Town". Basingstoke Town. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  48. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  49. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  50. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  51. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  52. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  53. ^ a b "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  54. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  55. ^ "Games played by Dominic Hyam in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  56. ^ Law, James (28 May 2018). "Coventry City 3–1 Exeter City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
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