Joel Matthew Bagan (born 3 September 2001) is a professional footballer who plays for club Cardiff City. He is also a senior Republic of Ireland international, having made his debut in September 2026.
Club career Bagan began his career with Southampton before joining Cardiff City during the 2018–19 season. He made his professional debut in a penalty shootout defeat to Reading in the FA Cup on 4 February 2020.
On 14 February 2020, Bagan joined Notts County on a one-month loan deal.
Bagan made his league debut for Cardiff on 21 October 2020 in a 1–1 draw with AFC Bournemouth. He scored his first professional goal against Millwall on 12 February 2022.
On 11 August 2023, Bagan joined Zulte Waregem in Belgium on loan.
International career Born in England, Bagan is of Scottish and Irish descent. He has represented Scotland at youth level. On 27 August 2021, it was announced that Bagan had switched international allegiance when he was called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 team for their 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg. He made his Ireland under-21 debut in a 1–1 draw with Luxembourg at the Stade Jos Nosbaum in Dudelange on 7 September 2021.
On 5 May 2026, Bagan was called-up to the Republic of Ireland senior team for a friendly against Grenada in Murcia, Spain, but had to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
He made his senior Republic of Ireland debut in a 3–0 win over Israel in the UEFA Nations League on 27 September 2026, coming off the bench in the 88th minute.https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqlyk0141lelo
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCardiff City2019–20Championship001000—102020–21Championship701000—802021–22Championship2632000—2832022–23Championship102010—402023–24Championship000010—102024–25Championship3103020—3602025–26League One4511050105212026–27Championship800020—100Total1184100110101404Notts County (loan) 2019–20National League2000002040Zulte Waregem (loan)2023–24Challenger Pro League21030——240Career total1414130110301684
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRepublic of Ireland202620Total20
Honours Individual EFL League One Team of the Season: 2025–26
References