Troy Parrott’s career has seen him play in three different countries by the age of 22. The former Spurs prodigy has his eyes set on Europa League glory with AZ Alkmaar, as well as becoming the main number 9 with his beloved Ireland. We’ll be following all the best football action this season at Tonybet, and exploring Parrott’s big career moves as he takes the Netherlands by storm.
Who is Troy Parrott?
There aren’t many – if any – Irish internationals who are taking their career on a European adventure quite like Troy Parrott. The Dublin-born forward has finally called time on his endless loan spells in England to settle down in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar.
After scoring 17 goals for Excelsior last campaign, AZ liked what they saw and signed him for a sizable fee of €8m. However, it has been far from smooth sailing for the Irishman, who has tested out plenty of clubs before finding one that he can finally call home.
As with many young Irish players dreaming of making it to the big time, Parrott started his career with Belvedere in his hometown. The club is well-known for producing talented youngsters who go on to have top professional careers – Wes Hoolahan and Matt Doherty are two current examples who have come through Belvedere’s ranks before progressing on to play in the Premier League.
And it was no different for Parrott, who soon caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur, and the North London-based club snapped him up for an undisclosed fee in July 2017.
After two years with Spurs Under 21s, he was rewarded with his official debut in the EFL Trophy at the age of 17, before José Mourinho gave the Irishman his first senior debut in the Premier League in December 2019 as Spurs beat Burnley 5-0.
Parrott impressed, and early in 2020 he was rewarded with a three-and-a-half-year contract. However, those appearances against Colchester and Burnley would be his only senior appearances for the club.
Having pressed the reset button, Parrott is back to his best and impressing in an entirely new environment in the Netherlands. A fresh start outside of England has given the striker a new lease of life, and this will only be a plus for international career.
Parrott’s Spurs seasons
Parrott dominated the Under 18 Premier League. After finding his feet in his initial season with the club, the centre-forward scored 14 goals in just nine appearances. In the UEFA Youth League, he added three more within five matches.
This saw Parrott move into the U21s, where he would continue his progression in the Premier League 2. Although his goalscoring record slowed down after moving up to a new age category, the club’s academy coaches were extremely pleased with his overall game.
His confidence in front of goal, ability to drive at defenders and direct nature saw him stand out among some of the best young players coming through not only at Spurs, but also in Europe. Able to compose himself and be strong enough to protect the ball, Parrott was showing signs that he was capable of playing in the Premier League.
Mourinho was the man who was very keen to give Parrott his opportunity with the senior side, but he was also quick to take that opportunity away from him. The Portuguese head coach questioned Parrott’s attitude during his tenure, and with the relationship fractured, the Irishman was forced to learn his trade away from his parent club.
A series of loans to the Championship and League One
With no way back under Mourinho, Parrott seized the opportunity to drop into the Championship with Millwall. However, this particular loan spell didn’t work out and he returned to his parent club goalless after 11 appearances.
Ipswich was the next club keen to take an opportunity on the former Belvedere player, but it was yet another difficult spell, and he signed off his time in Suffolk with two goals from 18 appearances.
The decision was made for Parrott to go on loan once more, but this time in League One with MK Dons. Dropping down a league saw the forward have his best season yet in England. With eight goals in 41 appearances, Parrott enjoyed his time with the club, but chose not to return the following season.
This was because Parrott wanted to test himself back in the Championship, and Preston North End gave him the opportunity that he so clearly craved. However, once again, the league didn’t suit Parrott, and he returned just three goals in 32 appearances.
So, what next for the Irish international? Well, his next move may just have revived his career. After frustrating spells in England, Excelsior came knocking and Parrott was keen to showcase his talents in another country.
Troy impressed in the Eredivisie
Although moving further away from home, Parrott settled incredibly well in his new surroundings. While he couldn’t save the club from eventual relegation, the Irish international more than played his part in an attempt to keep them up.
Scoring an incredible 17 goals, including two hat-tricks in the relegation play-offs, Parrott had found himself once again. This was by far his best season since leaving his hometown, which is why AZ Alkmaar moved quickly to sign him during the last summer transfer window.
Excelsior fans didn’t have a lot to shout about last campaign, but they must have thoroughly enjoyed watching their talisman soar throughout his loan spell. Goals became his bread and butter, and his composure in front of goal was back to its best.
Something had reignited within Parrott. The change in environment had clearly been good for him, and he has expressed how much he is loving his time in the Netherlands – both on and off the pitch.
From goalless spells in the Championship to becoming one of the most eye-catching strikers in the Eredivisie, Parrott can now showcase his talents on a European stage.
Ironically, AZ Alkmaar have been drawn against Fenerbahce in the Europa League, now led by Mourinho – how Parrott would love to score in that particular fixture.
During his stint in the Netherlands, he’s shown that his attitude was never the real issue, and perhaps it was the environment he was working in that was restricting his progress.
With five goals in 23 appearances for Ireland, and still only 22 years of age, we haven’t seen the best of Parrott yet – which is an exciting thought.
Life has started pretty well for him at AZ. He scored not only his first goal for the club against Heerenveen, but also his first four in a 9-1 romp. No doubt walking off the pitch with his hat-trick ball was yet another confidence booster ahead of an important campaign for the young forward.
He then got his Europa League campaign off to a flyer, scoring the winner from the penalty spot as AZ beat Elfsborg 3-2.
There’s no doubt that the former Spurs striker will want to show why a Premier League club was keen to sign him so young, and although his attitude was questioned, he’s showing no signs of slowing down on the pitch.
As always, Tonybet will have extensive markets for both the Europa League and Eredivisie, complete with some of the most competitive prices and odds available on the market. Bet on football with Tonybet today!
