Joe Gibbard
Coming from a family of Palace fans, Joe Gibbard has been at the club since the age of nine.
50JosephGibbard
Mid
Midfielder
Date of Birth
27.09.0527 September 2005
Country
IERepublic of IrelandJoined Team
03.04.2403 April 2024
Gibbard is an energetic midfielder capable of operating both in a deeper role and in more advanced areas. He progressed through the Academy ranks and earned his scholarship in July 2022.
He made 17 appearances for the Under-18s in 2022/23, scoring three times, while also earning international recognition with Republic of Ireland Under-18s.
He marked his debut with a goal against Sweden, before scoring again on his second start against Denmark. His season was curtailed by injury in February 2023, though he still finished his first year as a scholar strongly with three goals in 17 appearances.
After almost nine months out, Gibbard returned to action at the start of 2023/24, starting in a dramatic 5-4 win over Fulham in the U18 Premier League Cup.
He registered his first assist of the campaign in a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in December, before captaining the Under-18s for the first time in March 2024 during a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion. He also made his first Under-21 appearance in April 2024 in a Premier League Cup fixture against Fulham.
He ended the 2023/24 season strongly, contributing seven goal involvements in his final eight matches to take his tally to two goals and nine assists from 25 appearances across both age groups (20 for the U18s and five for the U21s).
Ahead of 2024/25, Gibbard signed his first professional contract with the club and went on to make 22 appearances, operating across central midfield and wing-back positions while registering three assists.
The 2025/26 campaign saw him become a regular feature in Darren Powell’s Under-21 side, making 22 appearances across a variety of roles and underlining his versatility in both central and wide defensive positions.
Following his return from injury at the turn of the year, he was given increased responsibility within the group, including captaincy duties after the departure of Luke Browne. He responded with a series of composed performances, demonstrating his ability to break up play and drive the team forward.
Deployed primarily in deeper midfield roles and at wing-back, Gibbard also added a growing attacking threat, scoring his first goal of the 2025/26 season in the final game of the Premier League 2 league campaign.
He finished coolly after latching onto a long goal kick from Harry Lee and lifting the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper inside four minutes.