Joe Rothwell became Leeds United's third signing in the 2024 summer transfer window, after joining on a permanent deal from Premier League side Bournemouth.
From representing England at youth level to helping Southampton get promoted from the Championship, we take a look at his journey so far.
We take a look back at Joe Rothwell's career so far, after the midfielder signed for Leeds United today.
THREE LIONS ON THE SHIRT
Whilst working his way through an academy on the other side of the Pennines, Rothwell would represent England at U16, U17, U19 and U20 level.
Rothwell made his international debut for the U16s in a 2-1 win over Scotland, playing in a midfield alongside Diego Poyet, son of former Leeds United assistant manager, Gus Poyet.
Winning the 2014 Four Nations tournament, the midfielder played in all three of the Young Lions' games, helping to defeat Germany and the Netherlands along the way.
LINING UP FOR THE TANGERINES
On 27th January 2015, Rothwell joined Blackpool, then in last place in the Championship, on loan for the remainder of the season.
The midfielder would make his senior professional debut not long after, replacing Mark Waddington at half-time in the Tangerine's defeat to Norwich City. A further two appearances would see him face Blackburn and Brentford.
Another loan would follow in the summer of 2015, when Rothwell would make the short trip up to South Yorkshire, where he would play seven times for Barnsley, including an appearance in the Football League Trophy, which the Tykes would go onto win.
ON SONG FOR THE U'S
After rejecting a contract extension with the club on the other side of the Pennines, Rothwell signed a two year deal with League Two side Oxford United in July 2016.
After the move, Rothwell would score his first senior goal in an FA Cup second-round replay against Macclesfield Town on 13 December 2016, a game which Oxford won 3–0.
Goals against Bury, Gillingham, Bradford, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury and Stevenage would follow, as he made 86 appearances over two seasons for the U's.
JOE OF THE ROVERS
The summer of 2018 saw Rothwell make a move to Championship side Blackburn Rovers, where he would spend four seasons, playing 161 games, scoring 11 times and producing 18 assists.
A mainstay in the side under Tony Mowbray, Rothwell repaid Rovers with key goals against Derby, Nottingham Forest, West Brom and Yorkshire sides Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Middlesbrough.
During his time at Ewood Park, Rothwell would help the newly promoted side to 15th, 11th, 15th and 8th position finishes, before getting his dream move to a Premier League side.
A CHERRY AND SAINT
2022 saw Rothwell take another step up, leaving Blackburn for Scott Parker's Bournemouth, who had just been promoted back to the Premier League.
Making his debut against Southampton at the Vitality Stadium in October, he'd go onto play 35 times for the Cherries, including twice against Leeds, scoring against Stoke City in the EFL Cup.
In January 2024, Rothwell joined Southampton on loan for the remainder of the season, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League.
During his time with the Saints, the midfielder featured 20 times, scoring four times, including a stunning strike against Huddersfield, which would earn him the EFL's Championship Goal of the Month award.
WELCOME TO LEEDS
On the 11th July 2024, Joe joined the Whites on a season long loan, saying "Leeds doesn't need selling to anyone, it shouldn't be in the Championship, it's a Premier League club.
"As soon as I heard of the interest, I was desperate to make it happen. It's a team, I'm really excited to be part of."