Cian Hayes (Peterborough United)
Cian Hayes came through the youth system at Fleetwood Town and made his senior debut at a very young age, becoming the club’s youngest-ever first-team player at the time. He gradually broke into the squad over the next few seasons, gaining League One experience while also spending time out on loan to build senior minutes. A short spell at FC United of Manchester saw him score twice in four appearances, and later loans with Rochdale proved more significant, particularly his second spell, where he scored regularly and played a key role in their attack during the National League campaign.
His performances during those loan spells helped earn a move to Peterborough United in 2024, where he became part of a squad pushing at the top end of League One. Used largely as a wide attacking option, he contributed goals and assists across his first two seasons at the club and was part of the squad that won the EFL Trophy in 2024-25. During the 2025-26 season, he has been used regularly, making 27 league appearances with three goals and three assists, often appearing both as a starter and from the bench as part of Peterborough’s attacking rotation.
22-year-old Hayes is described as a ‘winger’, and we know Posh like to play with proper wingers. At first glance, Hayes doesn’t fit our style at all, but I’ve seen something in his numbers I like.
We like our attacking players to contest duels, and Ben House has the highest number of defensive duels per 90 in League One right now. Jamie McDonnell is next, he’s long gone from Mansfield, and then it is defender after defender making up virtually all of the top 15, apart from Cian Hayes. He’s 15th on 8.39 defensive duels per game, which, given that he is playing for Posh, impresses me.
He’s mainly a right winger, but he is always one for getting stuck in and working hard. Mix that with the quality he has on the ball and his willingness to take a man on, and I think he would fit our style, even if Posh are very different to us in how they approach the game.