Sean Longstaff
English footballer (born 1997)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sean David Longstaff (born 30 October 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Leeds United.
|
Longstaff playing for Newcastle United in 2021 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sean David Longstaff[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 30 October 1997[2] | ||
| Place of birth | North Shields, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Leeds United | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2016 | Newcastle United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2025 | Newcastle United | 171 | (10) |
| 2017 | → Kilmarnock (loan) | 16 | (3) |
| 2017–2018 | → Blackpool (loan) | 42 | (8) |
| 2025– | Leeds United | 17 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 02:46, 9 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Career
Newcastle United
Longstaff began his career with the youth team of Newcastle United at 9 years old. He moved on loan to Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock in January 2017, along with Callum Roberts and Freddie Woodman.[3] In July 2017, he signed on loan for EFL League One club Blackpool for the 2017–18 season[4] where he made 45 appearances and scored nine goals.[5]
His first goal for the Newcastle United first team was on 17 July 2018, when he opened the scoring in a 2–0 win over St Patrick's Athletic in a pre-season friendly at Richmond Park.[6] Longstaff impressed manager Rafa Benítez in pre-season and was rewarded with a four-year contract in November 2018.[7] Longstaff made his competitive first team debut against Nottingham Forest in the second round of the EFL Cup in August 2018, before making his Premier League debut as a second-half substitute against Liverpool at Anfield the following December.[3] This was followed up by his first goal in an FA Cup third round replay against Blackburn Rovers before he put in a memorable performance by winning the penalty that gave Newcastle a 2–1 win over champions Manchester City in January 2019.[8][9]
On 26 February 2019, Longstaff scored his first Premier League goal for Newcastle in a 2–0 win over Burnley.[10]
In March 2019, Longstaff was ruled out for the rest of the 2018–19 season following a knee ligament injury.[11]
On 31 January 2023, he scored a brace in a 2–1 win over Southampton in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg to qualify his club to their first final since 1999.[12]
On 4 October 2023, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal, in a 4–1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at St James' Park.[13]
On 16 March 2025, Longstaff appeared on the bench in the 2025 EFL Cup final as Newcastle won their first major domestic trophy in 70 years.[14] Longstaff scored the winning penalty in the penalty shootout away to Nottingham Forest in the second round of the competition to help the club on their way to success.[15]
Leeds United
On 18 July 2025, Longstaff signed a reported 4-year deal worth a reported £12m plus potential add-ons with Leeds United, ending his long stint at Newcastle United.[16][17]
On 8 March 2026, Longstaff scored the game-winning goal in a 3-0 victory against Norwich City at Elland Road to send Leeds United to the FA Cup quarterfinal for the first time since 2003.[18]
Personal life
Sean is a keen cricket player who has turned out for Tynemouth Cricket Club even during his time as a premier league footballer. Raised in North Shields, Longstaff's younger brother Matty is a footballer who plays for CF Montréal.[19] Their father David is a former Great Britain ice hockey player, who featured over 100 times for the national side, and was a coach for the Whitley Warriors until the end of the 2022–23 Season. David Longstaff is also the cousin of former England international Alan Thompson.[20] They are not related to former Newcastle academy player Luis Longstaff.[21]
Longstaff's father stated that both Sean and Matty are lifelong fans of Newcastle United. His brother Harry supports Kettering Town.[22]
Career statistics
- As of match played 8 March 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Newcastle United | 2018–19[23] | Premier League | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 13 | 2 | |
| 2019–20[24] | Premier League | 23 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 29 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21[25] | Premier League | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 27 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22[26] | Premier League | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 26 | 1 | ||
| 2022–23[27] | Premier League | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | — | 41 | 3 | ||
| 2023–24[28] | Premier League | 35 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5[c] | 1 | 46 | 8 | |
| 2024–25[29] | Premier League | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 32 | 0 | ||
| Total | 171 | 10 | 18 | 3 | 20 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 214 | 16 | ||
| Kilmarnock (loan) | 2016–17[30] | Scottish Premiership | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 3 | ||
| Blackpool (loan) | 2017–18[31] | League One | 42 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[d] | 1 | 45 | 9 |
| Leeds United | 2025–26[32] | Premier League | 17 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 21 | 2 | |
| Career total | 246 | 22 | 22 | 3 | 22 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 299 | 29 | ||
- Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in EFL Trophy
