Jack Christian Rodwell (born 11 March 1991) is an English professional footballer who last played for A-League side Sydney FC as a centre-back or defensive midfielder.
Born in Southport, Merseyside, 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.
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 1âÂÂ0 win over Spain at Wembley Stadium in November 2011.
Jack Christian Rodwell was born on 11 March 1991, 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 before joining his boyhood club Everton's youth system at age seven.
According to his mother, Carol, she talked about his childhood, saying: "As a child Jack ate, drank and slept football. I think his ambition was always to be a professional, although he didn't speak about it. His heroes when he was growing up were Alan Shearer and the Brazilian striker Ronaldo. He used to follow players for their ability and not particularly what team they played for." Rodwell has a brother, Thomas.
Rodwell was a product of the youth system, making his under-18s debut at 14 and his debut for Everton's reserve team at the age of 15. At youth level, he started out of as having the potential to become a top centre back early in his professional career, but was primarily deployed as a defensive midfielder once in the senior team. Rodwell claimed that Lee Carsley contributed his role into helping play in the midfield position.
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, as the club won 3âÂÂ2. On 9 March 2008, Rodwell appeared as a substitute on his Premier League debut â before also featuring as a replacement in the final match of the season, replacing Tim Cahill in a 1âÂÂ0 victory over Sunderland, and signed his first professional contract with Everton on 17 March 2008, after spending six years in the reserve team. At the end of the 2007âÂÂ08 season, he made three appearances in all competitions. Following this, Rodwell was awarded the academy's Player of the Year.
Ahead of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, Rodwell was called up to the club's first team squad for the preâÂÂseason tour. Rodwell made his first professional start against Blackburn Rovers on 16 August 2008, playing the full 90 minutes. Since the start of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, he found his playing time was mostly from the substitute bench. Despite this, Rodwell continued to fight his way to earn a place in the starting eleven for the side. Rodwell scored his first senior goal for Everton in the FA Cup against Aston Villa in February 2009. After the match, Manager David Moyes praised his performance. That same month, he signed a five-year contract with Everton. Rodwell appeared as an unused substitute, as Everton loss 2âÂÂ1 against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final. At the end of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, Rodwell made twentyâÂÂfive appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
At the beginning of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, Rodwell earned his first start in European competition in a UEFA Europa League match against Czech Republic team Sigma Olomouc and he marked the occasion by scoring two long-range goals, helping Everton to a 4âÂÂ0 win. In the return, Rodwell started the whole game and helped the club draw 1âÂÂ1, resulting in the club progressing through to the group stage following a 5âÂÂ1 win on aggregate. Since the start of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, he started in the first eleven matches until missing one match, due to flu-like symptoms. After missing one match, Rodwell returned to the starting lineâÂÂup against Stoke City, playing the whole game, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw on 4 October 2009. However, he suffered a minor muscle injury during a 3âÂÂ2 loss against Hull City on 25 November 2009, resulting in him missing two matches. His return was shortâÂÂlived when Rodwell suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted in the 8th minute, as Everton loss 1âÂÂ0 against BATE Borisov on 17 December 2009. Following this, he was out for two months with the injury.
On 10 February 2010, Rodwell returned to the first team from injury following a two-month absence, coming on as 74th-minute substitute, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Chelsea. In a followâÂÂup match, he scored his first Premier League goal in Everton's 3âÂÂ1 win against Manchester United. After the match, Rodwell was named Man of the Match. Two weeks later on 7 March 2010, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 5âÂÂ1 win against Hull City. During the second half of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, Rodwell became regularly used in more attacking midfield position. Despite suffering another injury later in the 2009âÂÂ10 season, he made thirtyâÂÂsix appearances and scoring four times in all competitions. At the end of the 2009âÂÂ10 season, Rodwell signed a five-year contract extension with Everton.
Ahead of the 2010âÂÂ11 season, Rodwell said he would fight for his place in the first team following intense competition in the midfield positions. Rodwell scored, as well as setting up the club's third goal of the game, in a 5âÂÂ1 win against Huddersfield Town in the third round of the League Cup. However, during a 1âÂÂ0 loss against Aston Villa on 29 August 2010, he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for three months. On 14 November 2010 Rodwell returned from injury, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Arsenal. Since returning from injury, Rodwell found himself rotated in and out of the starting eleven throughout the 2010âÂÂ11 season. His performance led to transfer speculation that Rodwell made an agreement to join Manchester United, a claim that was denied by Manager Moyes. Despite being out on two occasions during the 2010âÂÂ11 season, he went on to make twentyâÂÂeight appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
At the start of the 2011âÂÂ12 season, Rodwell continued to remain as a first team regular, playing in the midfield position. This lasted until he 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. Shortly after, his red card was rescinded by The FA. Rodwell made his 100th appearance for Everton, playing the whole game, in a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Chelsea on 15 October 2011. In a followâÂÂup match against Fulham, he scored his first goal of the season, as well as, setting up the club's first goal of the game, in a 3âÂÂ1 win. Two weeks later on 5 November 2011, Rodwell scored his second goal of the season, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Newcastle United. He was later named the club's Player of the Month. However, Rodwell found himself plagued with injuries on two separate occasions that kept him out for the remainder of 2011. On 1 January 2012 he returned to the starting lineâÂÂup against West Bromwich Albion, playing 57 minutes before being substituted in a 1âÂÂ0 win. However, his return was shortâÂÂlived when Rodwell suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for two months. His return came on 10 March 2012 against Tottenham Hotspur, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute, in a 1âÂÂ0 win. Once again, he suffered a slight recurrence of his recent hamstring complaint that eventually saw him out for the rest of the 2011âÂÂ12 season. At the end of the 2011âÂÂ12 season, Rodwell made seventeen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
In August 2012, Rodwell signed a five-year contract with Manchester City for a fee of ã12 million, which could rise to ã15 million. Upon joining the club, he said: "I relish the opportunity of playing with some of the best players in the world and continuing my development."
Rodwell made his Manchester City debut on 19 August 2012, in a 3âÂÂ2 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 2âÂÂ2 draw. Rodwell made his UEFA Champions League debut, starting a match and played 56 minutes, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Borussia Dortmund on 3 October 2012. After being out due to injury since October, Rodwell made a successful return to the team on 26 January 2013 in a 1âÂÂ0 win away to Stoke City in the FA Cup. After appearing a total of four matches for the next two months, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for two months. After two months out, Rodwell returned to the first team, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Swansea City on 4 May 2013. He then came on as a 69th-minute substitute in the FA Cup Final against Wigan Athletic, as Manchester City loss 1âÂÂ0. On the final day of the 2012âÂÂ13 season, Rodwell scored both of Manchester City's goals in a 3âÂÂ2 home defeat to Norwich City, his first goals for the club. At the end of the season, he went on to make fifteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
In the 2013âÂÂ14 season, Rodwell made his first appearance of the season, playing the whole game, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Stoke City on 14 September 2013. However, he found his first team opportunities limited, due to strong competition in the midfield position. Rodwell also faced his own injury concern. Despite this, he made ten appearances in all competitions, five of which were the league, making him eligible for a winner's medal when Manchester City became 2013âÂÂ14 Premier League champions. Following this, it was expected that Rodwell was to leave the club in the summer.
On 5 August 2014, Sunderland announced that Rodwell had signed a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be around ã10 million. Upon joining the club, he was critical about his time at Manchester City and urged English players to think twice before joining them.
Rodwell made his Sunderland debut, starting a match and playing 68 minutes before being substituted, in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against West Bromwich Albion in the opening game of the season. On 24 August 2014, he scored his first goal for the club, equalising for Sunderland in their 1âÂÂ1 draw with Manchester United at the Stadium of Light. Since making his debut for the club, Rodwell became a first team regular in the first four months to the 2014âÂÂ15 season. This lasted until he missed one match against Crystal Palace, due to a calf injury. Following his return, Rodwell found himself alternating between a starting and a substitute role by the end of the year. On 1 January 2015, he scored Sunderland's first goal in a dramatic match with former club Manchester City with the match ending in a 3âÂÂ2 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 0âÂÂ0. Between January and March, he found himself out of the first team due to injuries and suspension. His third goal of the season came on 3 March 2015, where Rodwell scored the equaliser in a 1âÂÂ1 draw away to Hull City, in a match where he was also booked for diving. Despite being on the sidelines on two occasions later in the 2014âÂÂ15 season, Rodwell continued to be involved in the first team. By the end of the 2014âÂÂ15 season, he had made 26 appearances, scoring three times in all competitions.
On 25 August 2015, Rodwell scored two goals and made two assists in Sunderland's 6âÂÂ3 win over Exeter City in the second round of the 2015âÂÂ16 League Cup. At the start of the 2015âÂÂ16 season, he continued to alternate between a starting and a substitute role. Due to the club's defensive crisis, Rodwell offered to play in the position when offered by Manager Dick Advocaat. However, this never happened, as Advocaat was sacked and replaced by Sam Allardyce, who decided against letting him play in the position. But he was out on four separate occasions by the end of the year. Despite recovering from injuries, Rodwell, once again, alternated between a starting and a substitute role later in the 2015âÂÂ16 season. In the last game of the season Rodwell scored in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Watford. By the end of the 2015âÂÂ16 season, he had made 24 appearances, scoring three times in all competitions.
In the opening game of the 2016âÂÂ17 season, Rodwell set up Sunderland's first goal of the game, losing 2âÂÂ1 against his former club, Manchester City. His starts in the next four matches proved to be his comeback. However, he missed two matches for the side despite being fit. On 1 October 2016 Rodwell returned to the first team, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against West Bromwich Albion. However, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of 2016. On 2 January 2017 Rodwell returned to the starting lineâÂÂup and played 65 minutes before being substituted in a 2âÂÂ2 draw against Liverpool. On 4 February 2017, in a 4âÂÂ0 win for Sunderland against Crystal Palace, he ended a drought of 1,370 days without winning a Premier League game in which he had started the match. His winless run had lasted for 39 Premier League matches. Since returning from injury, Rodwell continued to find himself in and out of the starting eleven later in the 2016âÂÂ17 season. Eventually, Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League. By the end of the 2016âÂÂ17 season, he had made 23 appearances in all competitions.
Ahead of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, Rodwell avoided taking a cut despite Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League, although the club were willing to sell him, but he ended up staying throughout the summer. He scored on his first appearance of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, in a 2âÂÂ1 loss against Sheffield United on 9 September 2017. As months went by, Rodwell was dropped from the first team once again, due to competition, as well as his own injury concern. The club's supporters turned on him after rating him low on the survey conducted by local newspaper Evening Chronicle.
It was reported that Rodwell asked to leave Sunderland in January 2018 after not making an appearance for the first team since September 2017. Rodwell went on a trial at SBV Vitesse, only to for it to be cancelled, citing 'organisational reasons'. Rodwell eventually stayed at the club after the January transfer window closed. 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. It was later revealed that the pair had fallen out and didn't see eye to eye as a result. At the end of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, Rodwell made six appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
His contract was terminated by the club on 27 June 2018. Upon leaving Sunderland, local newspaper Evening Chronicle was critical of the club signing him, even going far as calling him the worst signing in Sunderland's history, while The Northern Echo agreed.
Rodwell signed for Championship club Blackburn Rovers on 23 August 2018 on a one-year deal, lasting until the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season. Upon joining the club, he said: "It's important for me to get out there and start playing football again. There have been ups and downs over the years, but that's in the past and now I'm just looking forward and focussed on the future ahead. After meeting the manager, I feel it's an ambitious club and a great fit for me. He sold the club to me and came across really well. I've played here a few times during my time at Everton and enjoyed playing at Ewood Park, so I'm looking forward to playing there in a Blackburn shirt now. After meeting the gaffer I could tell he loves his role and is very passionate about the club. I can't wait to get playing under him."
After spending a month on the sidelines, Rodwell made his Blackburn Rovers debut, playing in the centreâÂÂback position and playing 59 minutes before being substituted, in a 3âÂÂ2 loss against AFC Bournemouth in the third round of the League Cup. Since making his debut for the club, he started out, rotating in the defensive midfield position and centreâÂÂback position for the next two months. This lasted until Rodwell suffered an injury from a challenge of an opposition player during a 3âÂÂ1 loss against Wigan Athletic on 28 November 2018. It was not until on 26 December 2018 when Rodwell returned to the starting lineâÂÂup, playing in the defensive midfield position, in a 3âÂÂ2 loss against Leeds United. But his return was shortâÂÂlived when he suffered a groin injury once again. He returned to the starting lineâÂÂup, playing in the centreâÂÂback position, starting the whole game, in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Millwall on 12 January 2019.
Rodwell scored his first goal for Blackburn Rovers, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Hull City on 26 January 2019. Since returning from injury, Rodwell continued to regain his first team place, playing in the centreâÂÂback position for the next two months. This lasted until he suffered a muscle strain that kept him out for a month. Although Rodwell returned to training in lateâÂÂMarch, he didn't make an appearance until on 13 April 2019 against Nottingham Forest, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute, in a 2âÂÂ1 win. Following this, Rodwell reverted to playing in the midfield position in the next three matches. At the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, he went on to make twentyâÂÂtwo appearances and scoring once in all competitions for the club.
Following this, Rodwell was offered a new contract by Blackburn Rovers. However, he left the club upon the expiration of his contract, despite being offered a new deal. After leaving Blackburn Rovers, Rodwell was linked with a transfer to Italian side Roma, but was ultimately not offered a contract.
On 3 January 2020, Rodwell signed for Premier League club Sheffield United on a contract until the end of the season. It came after when he had been training with the team since December 2019. Upon joining Sheffield United, Manager Chris Wilder defended Rodwell following his appearance in the Netflix series Sunderland 'Til I Die.
Rodwell made his debut for Sheffield United two days later in an FA Cup third round match against AFC Fylde. However, Rodwell spent the first two months at the club out of the starting eleven by the time the season was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the season resumed behind closed doors, he made his first Premier League appearance in three years, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Burnley on 5 July 2020. By the end of the 2019âÂÂ20 season, Rodwell had made two appearances in all competitions.
On 23 August 2020, Rodwell signed a new one-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2021. He played a single game during the 2020âÂÂ21 season and was released on 1 June 2021.
After playing professionally in England for 15 years, Rodwell took up a new challenge, moving to Australia with his Australian wife and son, saying: "Physically, when I'm fit, I'm a young 30. I haven't actually got loads of miles on the clock and I can carry on. The chance for Australia came up and we made the decision as a family". He rejected any suggestion that the A-League is a "retirement league", due to the athleticism of "young and fit" footballers that is challenge for him to "replenished 'engine to get up and down'". On 18 November 2021, Australian A-League Men club Western Sydney Wanderers announced Rodwell had signed for the club on a one-year deal after training with them for two weeks under manager Carl Robinson.
He made his debut for Western Sydney Wanderers debut, coming on as a 77th minute substitute, in a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Sydney FC on 20 November 2021. Rodwell made his first start in more than two and a half years, in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Wellington Phoenix on 3 December 2021. After missing two matches due to injury, he scored his first goal for the club on his return from injury, in a 3âÂÂ3 draw against Melbourne City on 9 January 2022. Four weeks later on 5 February 2022, Rodwell captained his first match at Western Sydney Wanderers against Perth Glory and scored the winning goal, in a 1âÂÂ0 win. However, he spent the next two months out due to injuries on two separate occasions. After returning from injury, Rodwell scored his third goal for the club, in a 3âÂÂ2 win against Newcastle Jets on 20 April 2022. By the end of the 2021âÂÂ22 season, he had made 14 appearances, scoring three times in all competitions.
Rodwell was named as captain of the A-League All-Stars team in a friendly with Barcelona in May 2022 after being called up. On 1 July 2022, Western Sydney Wanderers began talks with Rodwell over a new contract.
Rodwell signed for Sydney in August 2022 on a two-year contract with the Sky Blues.
Just under four months later, on 10 December, Rodwell made his Sydney debut in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Melbourne City. After joining Sydney, Rodwell mostly played in the centreâÂÂback position, forming a partnership with Alex Wilkinson. He helped the club qualify the finals series and reached the semiâÂÂfinals, in which Sydney lost 5âÂÂ1 against Melbourne City. However, his first season with the club was beset by recurring injuries. Despite this, Rodwell made thirteen appearances in all competitions.
At the start of the 2023âÂÂ24 season, Rodwell scored his first goal for the Sky Blues, in a 3âÂÂ0 win against Western United in the quarterâÂÂfinals of the Australian Cup. However, he went on to suffer a hamstring injury that would ultimately rule him out of action for two months. While out with an injury, Sydney won the Australia Cup.
On 16 December 2023, Rodwell returned to the starting lineâÂÂup for Sydney, a 3âÂÂ0 defeat against Melbourne Victory. The following week, on 23 December, Rodwell scored one of Sydney's four goals in their 4âÂÂ2 victory over Western United. It would be yet another injury stricken season for Rodwell, who was ruled out of action on three separate occasions due to injury. Despite this, Rodwell helped Sydney overcome Macarthur 4âÂÂ0 in the elimination-finals. However in the semiâÂÂfinals against Central Coast Mariners, he received a straight red card in the 63rd minute for an unprofessional foul.
On 22 May 2024, Sydney announced Rodwell as one of the players that would depart the club upon the expiration of his contract on 30 June.
In September 2006, Rodwell was called up to the England U16 squad for the first time. He captained on his England U16 debut, and started the whole match, in a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Wales U16 on 20 October 2006. Two months later, in December 2006, Rodwell captained the England under-16 team to Victory Shield glory, following a 2âÂÂ1 victory over Scotland. Four months later, he struck the first winning goal at Wembley Stadium for England in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Spain U16. Rodwell went on to make four appearances and scored once for the U16 side.
In July 2006, Rodwell was called up to the England U17 squad for the first time but did not play. After being called up to the U17 squad once again, he made his England U17 debut, in a 2âÂÂ0 win against Iceland U17 on 30 July 2007. On 25 March 2008, Rodwell scored England under-17s only goal as they drew 1âÂÂ1 with France in a 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifier. He went on to make nine appearances and scoring once for the U17 side.
Rodwell made his England U19 debut on 9 September 2008, where he played 45 minutes, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Netherlands U19. He went on to make four appearances for the U19 side.
In March 2009, Rodwell was called up to the England U21 squad for the first time. He earned his first under-21 cap in a match against France U21. 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. He then helped England reach the final of the tournament by beating Sweden U21 5âÂÂ4 on penalties following a 3âÂÂ3 draw against Sweden in the semi-finals of the 2009 Under-21 European Championship. However, Rodwell came on as a 77th-minute substitute, as England loss 4âÂÂ0 to Germany U21 in the final of the Under-21 Championships.
Following the end of the tournament, Rodwell made three more appearances for the U21 side by the end of 2009. He then captained England U21 for the first time, helping them win 2âÂÂ0 against Uzbekistan U21 on 10 August 2010. Rodwell went on to make twentyâÂÂtwo appearances and scoring two times for the U21 side.
In November 2011, Rodwell was called up to the senior England for the first time. He made his senior England debut, replacing Phil Jones in the 56th minute of England's 1âÂÂ0 friendly victory against Spain, in November 2011. He made his first start three days later, in a 1âÂÂ0 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 2âÂÂ2 draw against Brazil. Two years later, he said he hadn't given up hope for England and remained determined to force his way back into the squad.
Rodwell is the nephew of former Blackpool footballer Tony Rodwell. In 2013 he married Alana Licate, an Australian national, and together they have two children. Since moving to Australia, he said his family has settled down in the country.
In September 2018, he was fined ã660 with ã166 in prosecution costs and a ã66 victim surcharges at the earlier hearing after being banned from driving for six months without him knowing.
Rodwell modelled for Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics in November 2011, hoping he would be included in the squad. However, he never made it to the squad despite being twenty at the time.
Everton
Manchester City
Sydney FC
England U16
England U21
Individual