Jacob Murphy: Twin Brother, Salary & Contract Details

If you have ever watched a Premier League weekend roundup and thought, “Wait, did I just see Jacob Murphy play for two different teams?”, you are not alone. That moment of double-take usually happens because the Newcastle United right winger has a mirror image running around English football’s second tier. While Jacob has locked down a reputation as a tireless, direct wide man for the Magpies, his twin brother Josh has been carving out his own path, most recently in the Championship. The twin dynamic is one of those fascinating subplots in modern football—two lads from Wembley who share a face, a birthday, and a footballing education, yet have built separate careers defined by different clubs, different routes, and different battles.

While Jacob has locked down a reputation as a tireless, direct wide man for the Magpies, his twin brother Josh has been carving out his own path, most recently in the Championship. The twin dynamic is one of those fascinating subplots in modern football—two lads from Wembley who share a face, a birthday, and a footballing education, yet have built separate careers defined by different clubs, different routes, and different battles.

Who is Josh Murphy?

Josh Murphy is a professional footballer who currently plays as a left winger for Championship side Portsmouth. He is the twin brother of Jacob Murphy, and their sibling rivalry is as real off the pitch as their connection on it—though they rarely get to share a dressing room at club level. His current spell at Portsmouth sees him playing in England’s second tier, where he provides direct pace and a natural left-footed option on the wing. Unlike his brother at Newcastle, Josh has never really settled at one club for a long period, and his career trajectory has seen him battle through the lower divisions of English football to maintain his professional status.

The Murphy twins are identical, which adds to the confusion. They share the same face, the same height, and even the same general playing style as direct, speedy wingers. Their parents named them with a clear nod to their bond—”Jacob Kai” and “Josh William”—and the pair have always been inseparable. The key difference is often determined by which foot they use: Jacob, though naturally right-footed, is comfortable on the right wing and can use his left effectively, while Josh is more naturally left-footed and operates on the opposite flank.

Did Jacob and Josh play together at any club?

The only time the two have shared a pitch in professional football was during a pre-season friendly for Norwich, which does not count for official competition records. Although they were both at Norwich City’s academy, their senior careers did not officially overlap at Carrow Road. Jacob made his senior debut for Norwich in 2012 and was later sold to Newcastle, while Josh went out on loan before being sold. They did share a pitch in the same Newcastle squad at different moments of the same season back in 2017–18, but never in an official match together.

Jacob Murphy’s contract and salary details

Salary data indicates Jacob’s weekly wage at Newcastle is around $67,500, while his yearly salary is $3,510,000. However, these figures are gross and do not include performance-related bonuses, which could push his actual take-home pay higher. TransferFeed lists Jacob Murphy at €2.2M per year, or about €42K per week, for Newcastle United in 2026/27, while SalaryLeaks places his salary at £35,000 weekly and about £1.8M annual salary. His current deal expires on June 30, 2027.

Jacob’s contract at Newcastle United is a real point of interest for fans, especially given the likes of his wage compared to some teammates. While both players have identical athletic traits—both are quick, direct, and dangerous on the counter-attack—Jacob’s consistency in the Premier League, his ability to track back and defend, and his role in Newcastle’s resurgence under Eddie Howe have made him a key squad member. Josh, on the other hand, has never quite replicated his Championship form at the top-flight level, and his career has seen more relegation battles than European nights.

Does Jacob Murphy have a twin brother?

Yes, Jacob Murphy has a twin brother named Josh Murphy, born on 24 February 1995 in Wembley, London. Both are professional footballers, and Jacob is exactly 10 minutes older than Josh. The pair are identical twins, which has led to plenty of humorous mix-ups over the years—even their own teammates have admitted to doing double-takes in training.

To truly understand Josh’s situation, we need to look at the clubs that have defined him. He had loan spells at HTA, a notable Israeli club, and then a return to the Championship with Portsmouth, where he has found more stability. His time at Portsmouth has been characterised by his capacity to turn games with his running power, though his end product has occasionally frustrated fans. The move to Portsmouth was something of a step down after his top-flight experience, but it has given him a home base to rebuild his confidence.

In terms of the twin brother angle, it is a unique situation in football. There have been many twins in the sport—such as the da Silva twins at Manchester United, or Frank and Ronald de Boer—but rarely do you have a situation where one twin has a distinctly better career, and the other has to forge his own path. The Murphy twins are a case study in how sheer athleticism can take you to the top, but the tactical awareness, injury management, and consistency separate a top-flight career from a mid-table one.

How much did Newcastle pay for Jacob Murphy?

Newcastle United signed Jacob Murphy from Norwich City in 2017 for a fee reported to be around £12 million. The transfer was part of a busy summer for the Magpies as they looked to strengthen their squad after returning to the Premier League. Jacob signed a five-year deal at St. James’ Park, and he has since become a familiar face in the black and white stripes.

Does Jacob Murphy have Irish ancestry?

Yes, Jacob Murphy is eligible for the Republic of Ireland through family heritage. His parents have Irish connections, which makes him eligible to represent Ireland at international level. However, despite the eligibility, Jacob has not yet been capped by the Republic of Ireland senior team. He has represented England at youth levels, but he has not ruled out a switch to Ireland if the opportunity arises.

Has he ever played for the Republic of Ireland national team?

No, Jacob Murphy has not played for the Republic of Ireland senior national team. Despite being eligible through family, he has yet to receive a call-up from the FAI. As of now, he remains uncapped at senior level for any nation, and the possibility of him switching allegiance to Ireland remains open but unrealised.

FAQ