David Brooks was born on 8 July 1997 in Warrington, England. He spent time in Manchester City's academy before joining Sheffield United, where his creativity, balance and ability to glide past opponents made him one of the club's most exciting young players. His breakthrough at Bramall Lane came in the Championship, where he looked like a Premier League technician in waiting.
Bournemouth signed him in 2018, and his first Premier League season was outstanding. Playing from the right or as an attacking midfielder, he scored important goals, created chances and looked like one of the division's sharpest young British creators. His career then met a major interruption when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021, stepping away from football for treatment before later returning.
By May 2026 Brooks remained a Bournemouth player, a senior figure whose story carries both footballing and human weight. Loan spells and competition for places have shaped parts of his later career, but at Bournemouth he is still associated with left-footed craft, calm finishing and the resilience of returning to elite football after serious illness.
Brooks chose to represent Wales internationally, qualifying through family background after earlier England youth involvement. He debuted for Wales in 2017, played at UEFA Euro 2020 and remained part of the national-team picture when fit. His technical profile gives Wales a creative option between midfield and attack.
Around 1.78 m and left-footed, Brooks is an elegant attacking midfielder or wide forward. His best qualities are body feints, disguised passes and curling finishes from the right half-space. Stylistically he has shades of a lighter Riyad Mahrez, though with a more British academy rhythm and a less explosive athletic profile.