Anthony Stokes (born 25 July 1988 in Dublin) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker. He is best known for prominent spells in the Scottish top division with Hibernian and Celtic, and for appearances at senior and youth levels for the Republic of Ireland national team. His career has combined periods of strong goalscoring form with transfers between clubs in Scotland and England.
Early life and development
Stokes grew up in Dublin and moved to England as a teenager to join a major club's youth academy. He gained experience on loan in Scottish football before settling at Hibernian, where he emerged as a regular first-team forward. Those early years established his reputation as a striker capable of scoring and creating chances at senior level.
Club career
Across his career Stokes has played for several clubs in the United Kingdom, including time in the Scottish top division (sometimes referred to as the Scottish Premiership) and in England. Notable stops include Hibernian, Sunderland and Celtic. At Celtic he contributed to team success in the league and domestic cups, while at Hibernian he enjoyed seasons as a leading scorer and a focal point of attack.
- Arsenal (youth)
- Falkirk (loan)
- Hibernian
- Sunderland
- Celtic
His moves between clubs reflect both his ability to perform in Scotland’s top teams and the volatility common to professional football careers. He scored important goals in derby matches and league fixtures, and his form often influenced his club's fortunes.
Playing style and reputation
Stokes is typically described as a forward with good pace, movement inside the penalty area and a natural instinct for finishing. He can play as a central striker or lead the line in a two-forward system. Managers and commentators have praised his goal sense, while also noting that consistency and off-field matters have sometimes affected his availability and selection.
International career and legacy
At international level Stokes represented Ireland in youth categories before earning senior caps for the national team. He is remembered for his goal-scoring contributions at club level and for being part of a generation of Irish forwards who combined domestic and cross-border club experience. His career illustrates both the peaks of league success and the challenges professional players can encounter over time.
Further reading and statistics are available from club and national team records and contemporary match reports; for official club details consult primary club sources and national association publications (birthplace, club history, international records, league context).