Joshua Ishaele Jacob-Heron Hunt-Laurent

Joshua Ishaele Jacob-Heron Hunt-Laurent, commonly known as Josh Laurent or J. Laurent, is an English defender born in London on 6 May 1995. Standing 1.88 metres tall, he developed through London youth football before beginning a professional career across England’s league system. Laurent joined Reading in July 2020, moving into Championship football after establishing himself in the lower divisions. In his first Reading campaign, he became an important central midfielder and won the club’s supporters’ Player of the Season award for 2020/21. His game has also included defensive midfield and centre-back duties, reflecting his physical approach, aerial ability and willingness to cover ground. After subsequent Championship experience, Laurent moved to Burnley in 2024 and remains part of the club’s squad, where his versatility supports defensive and midfield responsibilities.