Kamari Doyle Explained

Kamari Olivier Doyle (born 1 August 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Exeter City on loan from the academy of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.^[2]

Early life

Doyle was born to an English-Jamaican mother and a Rwandan father.^[3] Doyle trained with Southampton staff in Bath, Somerset from the age of seven. He would later travel down from Bristol with his grandfather to attend Southampton academy sessions.^[4]

Career

Southampton

2021–22

Doyle played as a sixteen year-old for Southampton in the EFL Trophy away against Charlton Athletic on 5 October 2021.^{[5] [6]} During the season Doyle signed a pre-contract agreement that his first professional contract with Southampton that would come into effect upon his seventeenth birthday.^[7] Doyle and Southampton won the Under-18 Premier League South in 2021–22.^[8]

2022–23

During the 2022–23 season, Doyle played as Saints B won the Premier League 2 Division 2, it was the second consecutive youth league in for Doyle.^[9] He also featured prominently as the Southampton under-18 team reached the semi-finals of the 2022–23 FA Youth Cup.^[10]

On the penultimate week of the season he was one of three academy players promoted to train with the first team squad for the Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on 21 May 2023.^[11] Doyle was subsequently named in the match day squad and appeared in the second half as a substitute for his senior professional debut.^{[12] [13]}

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 26 January 2024, he joined the youth academy of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.^[14]

Loan to Exeter

On 16 August 2024, Doyle joined League One side Exeter City on a season-long loan deal.^[15] He registered his first senior goal on 31 August 2024, scoring directly from a free kick during a 2–0 away win against Bolton Wanderers.^[16]

Style of play

Considered a two-footed player, who can receive and pass with either foot as well as strike free-kicks with either foot, it has been reported that Doyle has been mentored to a degree by James Ward-Prowse at Southampton. He has played for Southampton and England U-18s in a wide range of central midfield roles, and even in a withdrawn number 10 role.^[17]

International career

An England youth international, Doyle scored his first goal for the England U17s against Norway in June 2022.^[18]

On 6 September 2023, Doyle made his England U19 debut during a 1–0 defeat to Germany in Oliva.^[19]

On 15 November 2024, Doyle made his England U20 debut as a substitute during a 4-0 win over Germany at Chesterfield.^[20]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Southampton	2022–23	Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	–		1	0
	2023–24	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	—		1	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	1	0	—		2	0
Brighton and Hove Albion	2023–24	Premier League	0	0	0	0	–		–		0	0
Exeter City (loan)	2024–25	League One	11	3	1	1	–		1	0	13	4
Career total			12	3	1	1	1	0	1	0	15	4

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed. Premier League. 10 June 2022. May 21, 2023.
2. Web site: Kami Doyle. Soccerway. 21 May 2023.
3. Web site: Doyle eyes national team football. The New Times. Edmund Okai Gyimah. 14 October 2024. 3 December 2024.
4. Web site: Tanswell . Jacob . 19 May 2023 . Kami Doyle and Dom Ballard: Southampton's last 2 games key for pathway development . subscription . 21 May 2023 . The Athletic.
5. Web site: Jonty. Colman. October 9, 2021. May 21, 2023. Southampton coach pays glowing tribute to growing academy star likened to James Ward-Prowse. Hampshire Live.
6. Web site: October 5, 2021 . Charlton vs Southampton 4–1 . May 21, 2023 . Soccerway.
7. Web site: Crocker . Tom . 5 August 2022 . Doyle's delight at signing first pro contract with Southampton FC . 5 October 2023 . Southern Daily Echo.
8. Web site: House . Alfie . 28 April 2023 . Southampton crowned Premier League 2 Division Two champions . 21 May 2023 . Southern Daily Echo.
9. Web site: House . Alfie . 11 May 2023 . Southampton B crowned as winners of Premier League 2 Division 2 . 21 May 2023 . Hampshire Chronicle.
10. Web site: 2 March 2023 . Saints U18s to face West Ham in FA Youth Cup semi-finals . 21 May 2023 . Southampton FC.
11. Web site: House . Alfie . 19 May 2023 . Selles hints Southampton academy trio could feature at Brighton . 21 May 2023 . Southern Daily Echo.
12. Web site: 21 May 2023 . Brighton vs. Southampton . 21 May 2023 . Soccerway.
13. Web site: Mann . Mantej . 21 May 2023 . Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 Southampton . 21 May 2023 . BBC Sport.
14. Web site: Talbot . Bruce . 26 January 2024 . Kamari Doyle joins Albion from Southampton . 26 January 2024 . Brighton & Hove Albion F.C..
15. Web site: Kamari Doyle is a Grecian!. www.exetercityfc.co.uk. 16 August 2024. 16 August 2024.
16. Web site: Bolton 0-2 Exeter. Sky Sports. 31 August 2024.
17. Web site: Tanswell . Jacob . 5 April 2023 . Introducing Southampton under-18s - the best since class of Ward-Prowse, Shaw and Reed . subscription . 21 May 2023 . The Athletic.
18. Web site: 4 June 2022 . Norway U17 vs. England U17 0–3 . 21 May 2023 . Soccerway.
19. Web site: Smith . Frank . 6 September 2023 . England MU19s 0–1 Germany . 5 October 2023 . England Football.
20. Web site: Report: England ELS 4-0 Germany. Thomas. Gibson. 15 November 2024. England Football.