Jake Alexander Hesketh (born 27 March 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for National League club Eastleigh.
Hesketh was born in Stockport, near Manchester but his family moved to Whiteley, near Fareham, Hampshire when he was six months old.
Hesketh joined Southampton's academy as an under-nine after being scouted at a local tournament playing for Crofton Saints Football Club, he studied at Whiteley Primary School before moving onto Swanmore College. He completed a two-year scholarship with the club and after finishing as the Under-18 team's top scorer was awarded the 2013–14 Scholar of the Season accolade at the Southampton club awards ceremony. The same day Hesketh signed a three-year professional contract to keep him at the club until 2017.
He was promoted into the first team by coach Ronald Koeman due to injury problems among the squad. He made his debut for the club on 8 December 2014 in a Premier League match against Manchester United, being brought in as a substitute for Dušan Tadić in the 70th minute of the 2–1 home defeat. Five days later Hesketh made his first Premier League start as Southampton lost 1–0 away to Burnley.
Hesketh made 22 appearances for Martin Hunter's Under-21s in 2014–15, scoring two goals and lifting the 2015 U21 Premier League Cup.
English Southern Premier League South Division / England
