Joseph Anthony Adams (born 13 February 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a left winger for club Mossley.
A graduate of the Bury academy, Adams made sporadic appearances during 18 months as a professional at the club and transferred to Brentford in 2019. After years of exclusively B team football, he transferred to Dundalk in 2022. Following the 2022 season, Adams moved into non-League football. He returned to Irish football with Kerry in 2025. Adams was capped by Wales at youth level. A utility player, he is also adept as an attacking midfielder or wing back.
Predominantly a left winger, Adams joined Bury at the age of seven. Having graduated through the club's academy, he made his first team debut as a substitute for Adam Thompson after 72 minutes of a 3âÂÂ2 League One defeat to Northampton Town on 14 April 2018. After making four further senior appearances, Adams signed a -year professional contract in December 2018. His progression was such that later that month, he was recognised by League Football Education for his football and academic progress. After remaining with the U18 team and making only one further senior appearance during the 2018âÂÂ19 season, Adams elected to depart Gigg Lane in July 2019. He was voted the club's 2018âÂÂ19 Young Player of the Year.
On 19 July 2019, Adams transferred to the B team at Championship club Brentford and signed a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He scored 18 goals in 65 B team appearances during years with the club and gained experience as a right wing back. Despite receiving a first team squad number during the 2019âÂÂ20 season, Adams failed to win a call into a matchday squad. On 1 February 2021, Adams joined League Two club Grimsby Town on loan until the end of the 2020âÂÂ21 season. On his second appearance, in a league match versus Crawley Town on 25 February, Adams assisted Filipe Morais for the Mariners' opening goal and scored what proved to be the winner in a 2âÂÂ1 victory. After four further appearances, the loan was terminated early on 9 April. Adams departed Brentford in January 2022.
In January 2022, Adams signed a one-year contract with League of Ireland Premier Division club Dundalk for an undisclosed fee. He made 35 appearances and scored one goal during the 2022 season, his only campaign with the club.
On 14 March 2023, Adams signed an undisclosed-length contract with National League North club Southport. He made 12 appearances during the remainder of the 2022âÂÂ23 season and was a part of the club's Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy-winning squad. On 26 September 2023, Adams transferred to Northern Premier League Premier Division club Atherton Collieries. After three goals in eight appearances, he transferred across the division to Warrington Rylands 1906. Adams ended the 2023âÂÂ24 season with 12 appearances and five goals.
In July 2024, Adams transferred back to Atherton Collieries, which had been relegated to the Northern Premier League First Division West in his absence. He made a further five appearances before departing in September 2024. On 19 October 2024, Adams made a single appearance for Widnes, of the same division, before transferring to North West Counties League Premier Division club Longridge Town.
On 29 January 2025, Adams transferred to League of Ireland First Division club Kerry. On his debut appearance versus Finn Harps on the opening night of the 2025 season, Adams scored the opening goal, but was later sent off for a straight red card in the 2âÂÂ0 win. He made 29 appearances and scored six goals during the season, which included a run to the semi-final of the FAI Cup. Adams departed the club after the season.
On 7 February 2026, Adams transferred to Northern Premier League First Division West club Mossley.
Adams won 26 caps and scored seven goals for Wales at U17, U19, U20 and U21 levels.
Adams grew up in Bolton, to a Liverpudlian father and a North Walian mother.
Southport
Individual