Michael Brian Morrison (born 3 March 1988) is a English former professional footballer who played as a centre back. He is currently a first-team coach at club AFC Wimbledon.
Morrison began his senior career in the Conference National with Cambridge United. After three years as a first-team player, he moved on to Leicester City, contributing to their promotion to the Championship in 2009. He spent the second half of the 2010–11 season with Sheffield Wednesday of League One before moving to another League One club, Charlton Athletic. He helped Charlton gain promotion to the Championship in his first season, was appointed vice-captain, and played regularly until 2014, when he joined another Championship club, Birmingham City, initially on loan.
While a Cambridge United player, he represented England at semi-professional level.
Club career Cambridge United Morrison was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. He grew up in nearby Haverhill, and attended Castle Manor School. He started his football career with Cambridge United, where he came through their youth academy and at the age of 15 became the youngest player to ever feature for their reserve side. He made his debut for Cambridge United in October 2005 against Halifax Town when he was aged 17, and was voted young player of the year for three years in row between 2006 and 2008. He appeared for England Cthe team that represents England at semi-professional levelagainst Finland in November 2007 and against Wales in May 2008 when England retained the Four Nations Tournament title.
Leicester City Morrison joined Leicester City on 2 July 2008, signing a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Pleased at joining Leicester, Morrison believed his transfer was in the best interests of Cambridge, who could have lost him on a free transfer. He saw manager Nigel Pearson as his mentor due to his past experience as a defender. Morrison made his professional debut in a 2–0 win over Milton Keynes Dons on 9 August, and scored his first goal in a 4–2 win over Huddersfield Town on 24 January 2009. He returned to the first-team line-up in November 2008 after Patrick Kisnorbo was ruled out by injury. Helping Leicester win promotion as champions, he ended their last home game of the season by scoring two goals against Scunthorpe United on 24 April, the night they received the League One trophy.
Happy to fight for a first-team spot in the 2009–10 season, Morrison's squad number was changed from 15 to 4. On 6 October 2009, Morrison signed a two-year contract extension with Leicester, to run until June 2012. He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–1 home win over Sheffield United on Boxing Day. Morrison took over the right back role in January 2010, after a poor display from teammate Robbie Neilson.
Sheffield Wednesday On 7 January 2011, Morrison signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Charlton Athletic On 12 July 2011, Morrison joined League One side Charlton Athletic on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He quickly established himself as a key member of Chris Powell's team, winning League One Player of the Month for November 2011. He established himself as the team's first choice centre-half during the 2012–13 Championship campaign, in which the Addicks finished in ninth place. On 24 June 2014, Morrison signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2016.
Birmingham City
Morrison joined Birmingham City on 31 October 2014 on a two-month emergency loan. He went straight into the starting eleven for the following day's goalless draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and kept his place thereafter, establishing himself as centre-back of choice alongside captain Paul Robinson. In December, it was announced that Morrison would sign a three-and-a-half-year contract with Birmingham once his loan ended and the January transfer window opened. His loan was initially extended for a few days to ensure his eligibility for the third-round FA Cup tie against Blyth Spartans, when he captained the team, and the permanent move was confirmed on 5 January 2015.
Morrison left the club after his contract expired in June 2019, after failing to agree a new deal.
Reading On 19 July 2019, Morrison joined another Championship club, Reading, on a two-year contract. He scored his first goal for the club to complete a 2–0 league win against Huddersfield Town on 24 August.
On 11 May 2021, Morrison signed a new one-year contract with Reading.
Portsmouth On 26 July 2022, Portsmouth announced the signing of Morrison on a one-year contract.
Cambridge United On 26 January 2023, Morrison re-joined Cambridge United, on a one-and-a-half-year contract. On 6 May 2026 the club announced he was being released.
On 26 June 2026, Morrison announced his retirement from professional football on his Instagram account.
International career Morrison represented England at semi professional level during his time at Cambridge United playing for the England C, sometimes known as the National Game XI. He played against Finland in November 2007 and against Wales in May 2008 when England retained the Four Nations Tournament title.
Coaching career On 26 June 2026, having announced his retirement earlier in the same day, he was appointed first-team coach at League One club AFC Wimbledon.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCambridge United2005–06For FA Cup and FA Trophy appearances not included in Soccerbase source: Conference Premier22210—422742006–07For one Conference (Northwich Victoria (H), 12 August), one FA Cup and one FA Trophy appearance not included in Soccerbase source: Conference Premier46110—104812007–08For two FA Cup appearances against Stafford Rangers not included in Soccerbase source: Conference Premier400500020470Total10837000721225Leicester City2008–09League One3533020304332009–10Championship3122120—3532010–11Championship110—41—151Total775518130937Sheffield Wednesday2010–11League One120300000150Charlton Athletic2011–12League One4543110105052012–13Championship4411000—4512013–14Championship4515110—5122014–15Championship200020—40Total13669240101508Birmingham City2014–15Championship2102000—2302015–16Championship4631120—4942016–17Championship3130010—3232017–18Championship3312000—3512018–19Championship4371000—447Total1741461300018315Reading2019–20Championship4422020—4822020–21Championship3540010—3642021–22Championship2820000—292Total10882030001138Portsmouth2022–23League One220201030280Cambridge United2022–23League One190———1902023–24League One3813000004112024–25League One4112010204612025–26League Two170100000180Total11526010201242Career total7523840420116282845
Honours Leicester City Football League One: 2008–09
Charlton Athletic Football League One: 2011–12
Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2011–12 League One
References
External links
Leicester City profile