Jack Rodwell


Jack Christian Rodwell is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or defensive midfielder for Sheffield United.
Rodwell joined Everton's academy at the age of seven, and made his debut in 2007. He spent five years in the first team before he transferred to Premier League champions Manchester City in 2012. After making only 16 league appearances in two seasons, Rodwell was sold to Sunderland in August 2014. After his contract with Sunderland was terminated in June 2018, Rodwell joined Blackburn Rovers in August on a one-year deal. He left Blackburn the following year, later joining Sheffield United in January 2020 on a short-term deal.
Rodwell has represented England at all levels from under-16 to the senior team. He made his senior international debut as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Spain at Wembley Stadium in November 2011.

Early life

Rodwell was born in Southport, Merseyside. He was educated at Farnborough Road Junior School and Birkdale High School, and was an avid supporter of Everton as a child. Rodwell played for local club Birkdale United during his school years.

Club career

Everton

Rodwell joined the Everton youth system at the age of seven, making his under-18s debut at 14 and his debut for Everton's reserve team at the age of 15. Rodwell then broke a record on his senior debut becoming the youngest player to represent Everton in Europe, when he came on as a substitute against Dutch team AZ at the age of 16 years and 284 days. At youth level Rodwell often played as a centre back but in stepping up to the senior team began to play in midfield. In March 2008, he appeared as a substitute on his Premier League debut – before also featuring as a replacement in the final match of the season, replacing Tim Cahill in a 1–0 victory over Sunderland, and signed his first professional contract with Everton on 17 March 2008, after spending six years in the reserve team. He made his first professional start against Blackburn Rovers on 16 August 2008, playing the full 90 minutes. Rodwell scored his first senior goal for Everton in the FA Cup against Aston Villa in February 2009. That same month, he signed a five-year contract with Everton.
At the beginning of the 2009–10 season, Rodwell earned his first start in European competition in a UEFA Europa League match against Czech Republic team Sigma Olomouc. Rodwell marked the occasion by scoring two long-range goals, helping Everton to a 4–0 win. He scored his first Premier League goal in Everton's 3–1 win against Manchester United. At the end of the season Rodwell signed a five-year contract extension with Everton. Although Rodwell was primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder, he was also regarded as having the potential to become a top centre back early in his professional career. During the second half of the 2009–10 season, Rodwell became regularly employed in more attacking midfield positions. Rodwell was sent off in the 23rd minute, during the 216th Merseyside derby on 1 October 2011 after making "what appeared to be a legitimate challenge on Suárez", according to the BBC.

Manchester City

In August 2012, Rodwell signed a five-year contract with Manchester City for a fee of £12 million, which could rise to £15 million. He made his debut on 19 August 2012, in a 3–2 win at home to Southampton. He made his away debut on 26 August 2012, coming on as a second-half substitute against Liverpool at Anfield in a 2–2 draw. After being out due to injury since October, Rodwell made a successful return to the team on 26 January 2013 in a 1–0 win away to Stoke City in the FA Cup. On the final day of the 12/13 season, he scored both of Manchester City's goals in a 3–2 home defeat to Norwich City, his first goals for the club.

Sunderland

On 5 August 2014, Sunderland announced that Rodwell had signed a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £10 million. On 24 August 2014, Rodwell scored his first goal for the club, equalising for Sunderland in their 1–1 draw with Manchester United at the Stadium of Light. On 1 January 2015, Rodwell scored Sunderland's first goal in a dramatic match with former club Manchester City with the match ending in a 3–2 loss for Sunderland. On 24 January 2015, Rodwell was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the FA Cup fourth round against Fulham, in a match that ended 0–0. His third goal of the season came on 3 March 2015, where he scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw away to Hull City, in a match where he was also booked for diving.
On 25 August 2015, Rodwell scored two goals and made two assists in Sunderland's 6–3 win over Exeter City in the second round of the 2015–16 League Cup.
On 4 February 2017, in a 4–0 win for Sunderland against Crystal Palace, Rodwell ended a drought of 1,370 days in winning a Premier League game in which he had started the match. His winless run had lasted for 39 Premier League matches.
It was reported that Rodwell asked to leave Sunderland in January 2018 after not making an appearance for the first team since September 2017. When asked in April 2018, after Sunderland were relegated for a second successive season, manager Chris Coleman said he did not know where the midfielder was mentally. His contract was terminated by the club on 27 June 2018.

Blackburn Rovers

Rodwell signed for Championship club Blackburn Rovers on 23 August 2018 on a one-year deal, lasting until the end of the 2018–19 season. He made 21 appearances for the club but left the club upon the expiration of his contract, despite being offered a new deal.
After leaving Blackburn, Rodwell was linked with a transfer to Italian side Roma, but was ultimately not offered a contract.

Sheffield United

On 3 January 2020, Rodwell signed for Premier League club Sheffield United on a contract until the end of the season. He had been training with the team since December 2019.

International career

England youth teams

In December 2006, Rodwell captained the England under-16 team to Victory Shield glory, following a 2–1 victory over Scotland. Four months later, he struck the first winning goal at Wembley Stadium for England in a 1–0 win over Spain. On 25 March 2008, Rodwell scored England under-17s only goal as they drew 1–1 with France in a 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifier.

England under-21 team

In March 2009, Rodwell earned his first under-21 cap in a match against France and scored his first goal for the squad on 8 June 2009 against Azerbaijan. Rodwell earned his first start at under-21 level during the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in a match against Germany, scoring a goal and earning praise for his all-around performance in a defensive midfield role.

England senior team

Rodwell made his senior England debut, replacing Phil Jones in the 56th minute of England's 1–0 friendly victory against Spain, in November 2011. He made his first start three days later, in a 1–0 friendly win against Sweden at Wembley Stadium.
On 2 June 2013, Rodwell made his first appearance since 2011, earning his third cap as a substitute, replacing Theo Walcott in the second half of a 2–2 draw against Brazil.

Personal life

Rodwell is the nephew of former Blackpool footballer Tony Rodwell.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Everton
Manchester City
England U16
England U21