David Turnbull, Scottish born on 10 July 1999, is a midfield dynamo currently marshalling the centre circles for Cardiff City at the ripe age of 25. Standing at a towering 6ft (1.85m) and tipping the scales at 12st 1lb (77kg), he brings a considerable physical presence to the heart of his chosen team. Predominantly deployed in the number 14 jersey, Turnbull's journey in professional football is a tale marked by diligence, determination, and delightful goals.
Turnbull's enthralling journey began in July 2009 when he joined Motherwell as a trainee. In the 2017-2018 season, the young Scot featured twice in the first team in league matches. The following season, he made a significant leap, playing 30 first team league matches and netting an impressive 15 goals. He continued his display of promising talent in the subsequent years with a total of seven first team appearances in the league, scoring once over the course of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons.
In August 2020, Turnbull's career witnessed a significant upswing, with a transfer to Celtic. The fee was reported to be around £3m. The Scot continued his goal-scoring exploits at Celtic Park over the next four seasons, tallying consistent appearances and maintaining a regular place on the score sheet. Over these seasons, he appeared 100 times for the Hoops and found the net 25 times. These seasons were characterised by Turnbull's grit and commitment in the green and white strip.
His tenure at Celtic, although not laden with trophies, was punctuated with instances of brilliance, particularly in the 2020-2021 season. With 31 appearances and eight goals, his performances during this period were widely recognised. His final season at Celtic, the 2023-2024 campaign, saw him finding the back of the net seven times in 16 appearances, attesting to an improved scoring rate before his departure from the storied club.
A move south of the border came calling in February 2024 when Turnbull transferred from Celtic to Cardiff City in the Championship for a transfer fee of around £2m. He suited up for Cardiff 17 times in the league during the remainder of the 2023-2024 season and currently, in the 2024-2025 season, he has made 18 appearances and scored one goal. The midfielder continues to carve out his career within the rough and tumble of the English Football League, edging out his own scrap of glory in the storied annals of the beautiful game.
