Joe Rothwell
English footballer (born 1995)
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Joseph Matthew Rothwell (born 11 January 1995) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship side Sheffield United.
 Rothwell with AFC Bournemouth in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph Matthew Rothwell[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 January 1995[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Central midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sheffield United | ||
| Number | 48 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2013 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2016 | Manchester United | 0 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Blackpool (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Barnsley (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2016–2018 | Oxford United | 69 | (6) |
| 2018–2022 | Blackburn Rovers | 149 | (10) |
| 2022–2025 | Bournemouth | 31 | (0) |
| 2024 | → Southampton (loan) | 16 | (4) |
| 2024–2025 | → Leeds United (loan) | 36 | (0) |
| 2025–2026 | Rangers | 8 | (0) |
| 2026– | Sheffield United | 3 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2011 | England U16 | 7 | (1) |
| 2011 | England U17 | 6 | (0) |
| 2013 | England U19 | 1 | (0) |
| 2014 | England U20 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Manchester United
Having joined Manchester United's academy at the age of six, Rothwell signed professional terms with the club in the summer of 2013.[3] On 26 July 2011, he scored twice in a 7–0 win over County Tyrone in the Milk Cup.[4]
On 27 January 2015, Rothwell joined Blackpool, then in last place in the Championship, on loan for the remainder of the season.[5] Four days later he was included in a professional matchday squad for the first time, remaining an unused substitute for Blackpool's 1–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Bloomfield Road.[6] A week later he made his debut as Blackpool lost 4–0 away to Norwich City, replacing Mark Waddington at half time.[7] His first career start came on 24 February, playing the entirety of a defeat by the same score at Brentford, his last of three appearances for the club.[8] Returning to Manchester United, he was named as a substitute for a first-team game against Watford in March 2016.[9]
On 18 July 2015, Rothwell joined League One side Barnsley on a six-month loan.[10] He played four League games (two as a substitute) and made one appearance in the opening round of the Football League Trophy,[11] a competition Barnsley ultimately won, beating Oxford United.[12]
Oxford United
On 12 July 2016, Rothwell joined Oxford on a two-year deal after turning down the offer of a new contract at Manchester United.[9] He scored the first senior goal of his career in an FA Cup second-round replay against Macclesfield Town on 13 December 2016, a game which Oxford won 3–0.[13] His first league goal came in a 5–1 win over Bury on 28 March 2017.[14]
Blackburn Rovers
On 22 June 2018, Rothwell joined Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee. He signed a three-year deal.[15][16]
At the end of the 2021–22 season it was announced that Rothwell would be leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract.[17]
AFC Bournemouth
On 25 June 2022, Rothwell joined Premier League club AFC Bournemouth on a free transfer, signing a four-year contract.[18]
Southampton (loan)
On 15 January 2024, Rothwell joined Southampton on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.[19] Five days later, he made his first appearance for the club in a 1–3 victory against Swansea City, replacing Stuart Armstrong in the 76th minute.[20] He scored his first two goals on 10 February 2024 for the club in a 5–3 victory against Huddersfield Town.[21] Rothwell later received the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month for February for his first goal in that game.[22][23] He was part of the team that earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.[24]
Leeds United (loan)
On 11 July 2024, Rothwell was transferred to EFL Championship side Leeds United in a season-long loan deal,[25] helping gain promotion to the Premier League.[26]
Rangers
On 2 July 2025, Rothwell joined Scottish Premiership side Rangers,[27] signing a three-year contract.[28] On 22 July 2025, he made his debut for Rangers in a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos at Ibrox Stadium.[29]
Sheffield United
On 2 February 2026, Sheffield United signed Rothwell from Rangers for an undisclosed fee on an eighteen-month contract.[30]
Rothwell made his debut on 9 February in a 2–1 defeat to Middlesbrough, coming on at half-time for Ollie Arblaster before receiving a straight red card in the 80th minute for a challenge on Alan Browne.[31]
International career
Rothwell has represented England's national youth teams. He played at under-16, under-17, under-19, and under-20 levels.[32]
Rothwell is also eligible to play for Scotland.[33][34] On 1 July 2025 he was quoted as saying, ""I've always said I'm more than open to the idea of playing for Scotland. My gran was Scottish and she'd be really proud if I was to do that."[35]
Career statistics
- As of match played 29 March 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Blackpool (loan) | 2014–15[36] | Championship | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | |
| Barnsley (loan) | 2015–16[37] | League One | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Oxford United | 2016–17[38] | League One | 33 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7[b] | 0 | 45 | 2 |
| 2017–18[39] | League One | 36 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 1 | 41 | 6 | |
| Total | 69 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 86 | 8 | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2018–19[40] | Championship | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 37 | 2 | |
| 2019–20[41] | Championship | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 39 | 3 | ||
| 2021–21[42] | Championship | 39 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 42 | 3 | ||
| 2021–22[43] | Championship | 41 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 43 | 3 | ||
| Total | 149 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1 | — | 161 | 11 | |||
| Bournemouth | 2022–23[44] | Premier League | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 22 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[45] | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2024–25[46] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 35 | 0 | |||
| Southampton (loan) | 2023–24[45] | Championship | 16 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 20 | 4 |
| Leeds United (loan) | 2024–25[46] | Championship | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
| Career total | 308 | 20 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 351 | 24 | ||
- Appearance in Football League Trophy
- Appearances in EFL Trophy
- Appearance in Championship play-offs
