Lee Nicholls


Lee Anthony Nicholls is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for League One club Milton Keynes Dons.

Early life

Lee Nicholls was born in Huyton, Merseyside.

Club career

Wigan Athletic

Nicholls signed scholarship forms with Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2009. After a series of impressive performances for the reserve team, he appeared for the first-team as a substitute for the first time on 2 January 2010 in a 4–1 FA Cup third round victory over Hull City.
Later in the month, he signed a two and a half-year professional contract with the club. In January 2012, Nicholls extended his contract at Wigan until 2014. In between loan spells, Nicholls made his league debut on 27 October 2013 in a goalless draw away to Charlton Athletic.

Loan spells

Between November 2010 and May 2011, Nicholls was sent out on loan to Hartlepool United, Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield Wednesday, but failed to make a single appearance. On 24 February 2012, he joined Accrington Stanley on an initial one-month loan deal. Nicholls later made nine appearances for the club.
On 6 August 2012, Nicholls signed on loan for League Two side Northampton Town until the end of October 2012, and later re-signed on 6 November 2012 until the end of the 2012–13 season.
On 5 May 2013, Nicholls competed for Northampton Town in the League Two play-off semi-final second leg against Cheltenham Town. In total, Nicholls made 51 appearances for Northampton Town, achieving 20 clean sheets before returning to Wigan. On 11 September 2015, Nicholls joined League Two side Bristol Rovers on a three-month loan.

Milton Keynes Dons

On 3 August 2016, following the expiry of his contract with Wigan, Nicholls joined League One club Milton Keynes Dons, signing a two-year deal. Nicholls made his debut for the club on 9 August 2016, featuring in a 2–3 EFL Cup first round victory over Newport County. In his first season for the club, Nicholls' made a total of sixteen appearances in all competitions, achieving two clean sheets.
Following the departure of first choice goalkeeper David Martin, Nicholls took over the number one shirt for the 2017–18 season. On 29 December 2017, Nicholls signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until June 2020.

International career

In 2010, Nicholls was named in the England U19 squad that reached the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-19 Championships, but did not make an appearance in the tournament. He made his debut for the team in February 2011 in a 1–0 defeat against Germany.

Career statistics

Honours

Bristol Rovers
Milton Keynes Dons