Joe Morrell

Joseff John Morrell (born 3 January 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a central-midfielder for EFL League One club Portsmouth and the Wales national team.

Joe Morrell
Morrell with Wales in 2019
Personal information
Full nameJoseff John Morrell[1]
Date of birth (1997-01-03) 3 January 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birthIpswich, England
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[3]
Position(s)Central-midfielder
Team information
Current team
Portsmouth
Number16
Youth career
0000–2013Bristol City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2013–2020Bristol City1(0)
2016Sutton United (loan)3(0)
2017Margate (loan)2(0)
2017–2018Cheltenham Town (loan)38(3)
2019–2020Lincoln City (loan)29(0)
2020–2021Luton Town10(0)
2021–Portsmouth92(1)
International career
2013–2014Wales U176(1)
2014–2015Wales U1910(0)
2017–2018Wales U218(3)
2019–Wales37(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:29, 30 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:54, 15 October 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Morrell began his career with Bristol City whilst attending The Castle School in Thornbury, and signed a professional contract with the club in December 2012 after turning down an offer from Liverpool.[4][5] He made his debut on 8 October 2013 in a 2–1 Football League Trophy defeat against Wycombe Wanderers.[6]

In August 2016 it was announced that Morrell would join National League club Sutton United, initially on a one-month loan.[7] He made his first appearance for the U's as a substitute coming on at 61' in a 3–1 victory over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on 13 August 2016, Sutton's first win in English football's fifth tier in 16 years.[8] One reporter described Morrell as having "had a great competitive debut overall".[9] He made two further substitute appearances in home victories against Torquay United and Macclesfield Town before returning to his parent club in early September 2016.

On 24 February 2017, Morrell joined Margate on loan for a month. He made his debut as a 58th minute substitute during a 2–0 home loss to Whitehawk.[10]

On 30 August 2017, Morrell signed for Cheltenham Town on loan until January 2018.[11] His first goal for the club came in a 3–0 win against Mansfield Town and scored three times in total for the club.[12]

On 27 June 2019, Morrell signed for Lincoln City on a season-long loan until May 2020.[13] He scored his first goal in a dominant 5–1 win against Bolton Wanderers on 14 January 2020, however it was later given as an own-goal for Josh Emmanuel.[14]

On 7 March 2020, Morrell played his final game for the Imps against Burton Albion, due to the season being cancelled early because of COVID-19.[15]

In June 2020, Morrell was named Lincoln City's Player of the Season.[16]

In November 2019 he signed a new contract with Bristol City.[17]

Luton Town

On 15 October 2020 Morrell joined Luton Town for an undisclosed fee.[18]

Portsmouth

On 9 August 2021, Morrell joined EFL League One Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee on a 3-year contract with a 12-month extension clause.[19] On 21 January 2023, Morell scored his first goal for Portsmouth against Exeter City after 49 games and 13 league appearances in the 2022–23 season [20]

International career

Morrell qualifies to play for Wales through his Welsh mother Sian.[21]

In October 2017, Morrell made his Wales U21 debut in a 3–1 victory against Liechtenstein.[22]

In August 2019, Morrell was named in the Wales squad ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifier against Azerbaijan.[23] He made his senior international debut for Wales against Belarus on 9 September 2019.

In May 2021 he was selected for the Wales squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[24] In November 2022 he was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[25] Morrell made his World cup debut coming on as a late substitute against the United States in Wales' opening 2022 FIFA World Cup Group B game, Morrell also came on as a substitute in the group stage game against England.[26]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bristol City2013–14[27]League One0000001[a]010
2014–15[28]League One0000000000
2015–16[29]Championship00000000
2016–17[30]Championship00000000
2017–18[31]Championship00001010
2018–19[32]Championship10300040
2019–20[33]Championship00000000
Total1030101060
Sutton United (loan)2016–17[30]National League30000030
Margate (loan)2016–17[34]National League South20000020
Cheltenham Town (loan)2017–18[31]League Two383100000393
Lincoln City (loan)2019–20[33]League One290102000320
Luton Town2020–21[35]Championship1001000110
Portsmouth2021–22[36]League One36010002[b]0390
2022–23[37]League One29110005[b]0351
2023–24[38]League One27010201[b]0310
Total9213020801051
Career total17148040901994

International

As of match played on 7 September 2023.[39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Wales201950
202070
2021130
202270
202350
Total370

Honours

Individual

References

External links

Media related to Joe Morrell at Wikimedia Commons