Career So Far: Owen Elding

David Gray has strengthened his attacking options with the recruitment of 2025 PFA Ireland Young Player of the Year, Owen Elding.

The 19-year-old forward makes the move to Leith from Sligo Rovers and has signed a four-and-a-half year contract with the Club.

The English-born attacker, who is the son of former professional footballer Anthony Elding, started his youth career with Ballinamallard United after his father moved to Sligo in 2013.

Ten years after Anthony’s move to the Rovers, a 17-year-old Owen would make his professional debut for the same club against Shelbourne in May 2023 – making five appearances in total across the 2023 season. 

The youngster’s progression continued across the 2024 campaign, with Elding making 24 appearances in all competitions for the Rovers, though the 2025 season would prove to be the forward’s breakout campaign as he found the net 16 times in 35 matches.

12 of those 16 strikes occurred in the league as Elding finished as the third highest scorer in the League of Ireland Premier Division, whilst also providing five assists. The striker found the net four times in the FAI Cup, as he grabbed his first career hat-trick against Kerry in the quarter-finals.

21 goal contributions across all competitions helped Elding earn recognition through awards, as he was named PFA Ireland’s Young Player of the Year and selected in the PFAI’s Team of the Year.

The lofty attacker - who stands at 6' 2" - is capable of leading the line in a centre-forward role in addition to playing out on the right flank. 

The left-footed Elding scored nine goals from open play on his stronger foot last season – including two terrific long-range strikes against Shelbourne and Bohemians, respectively – as well as scoring three headers and three penalties. 

The striker has lived in the Republic of Ireland since childhood and has earned a call-up to Ireland’s U16 squad for a training camp in the past. 

He recently missed out on selection for Republic of Ireland U21 matches due to a delay in confirming his Irish citizenship. 

Elding’s impressive performances reportedly piqued interest from multiple clubs across the continent, but the forward now looks ahead to settling in Leith and making an impact on the pitch for Hibernian.