TROY PARROTT scored a brilliant hat-trick in the Republic of Ireland’s crucial 3-2 win over Hungary.
The striker was in tears at full-time as he netted a dramatic 96th-minute winner to keep his country’s hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup alive.
SunSport brings you the lowdown on the Irish hero and the Premier League side he came through the ranks at.
Who is Troy Parrott?
Parrott was born in Dublin, Ireland, on February 4 2002.
He began his career at local side Belvedere before making the switch to England to join Tottenham Hotspur in July 2017.
Parrott was held in very high regard at such a young age, as he was branded Ireland‘s best prospect since Robbie Keane and the next Harry Kane at Spurs.
But it never really happened in North London for the Irishman, making just four appearances for the senior team.
During his time at Spurs, he made numerous loan moves to teams lower down the English pyramid.
Parrott made temporary switches to Millwall, Ipswich, MK Dons and Preston.
The forward’s best scoring season in England came during his time at MK, where he scored 10 goals and helped the club reach the League One play-offs.
After four loan spells in England, Parrott went overseas to join Dutch club Excelsior Rotterdam for the 2023/24 season.
The Irishman scored a whopping 17 goals for The Kralingers but was unable to save them from relegation.
Parrott’s impressive goalscoring form in the Netherlands caught the eyes of Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar.
AZ signed the Spurs striker on a permanent deal for a fee of £6.7million on July 13, 2024 and penned a long-term deal with the Dutch side.
He has had a brilliant start to life at AZ, scoring 33 goals in 61 appearances and was named Eredivisie Player of the Month for December 2024.
International career
Parrott made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland national team in their 3-1 win over New Zealand in November 2019.
The Spurs academy graduate claimed his first international goals two years later, scoring in a 4-1 win against Andorra, where he netted twice.
In November 2025, Parrott made the headlines as he scored a last-gasp hat-trick in a must-win game against Hungary to book the Republic of Ireland’s spot in the World Cup play-offs.
He kept his country’s dream alive with virtually the last kick of the game as The Boys in Green look to make the finals for the first time since 2002.
Life off the pitch
Parrott is the middle child of five and grew up in Dublin.
On his younger days, his mum Jennifer said: “He was always quiet. He always loved football. The area that we’re from, it’s a disadvantaged area in the inner city.
“Football kept him disciplined and kept him in line from getting in trouble.
“This is his dream and this is his time. He didn’t really get a chance to start many matches for Ireland. He was waiting for his opportunity, and he’s after getting it.”
Parrott has also scored off the pitch as he has been in a long-term relationship with Lauren Bowry.
She is often seen supporting Troy at football matches while he is playing for his country and at club level in the Netherlands.
Parrott’s grandmother, Josie, was very proud of him after he netted a hat-trick to keep the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams alive.
She said post-match: “I knew he was gonna do it. I just had a feeling. He deserves everything he got. I’m so proud of him. He knows I love him to bits.”