{{short description|English footballer (born 1997)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}} {{Use British English|date=April 2016}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Callum Connolly | image = CallumConnolly-01.jpg | caption = Connolly in the 2024–25 season | fullname = Callum Alexander Connolly<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |accessdate=11 February 2018}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|09|23|df=y}} | birth_place = Liverpool, England | height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}} | position = Defender | currentclub = Stockport County | clubnumber = 16 | youthyears1 = 2006–2016 | youthclubs1 = Everton | years1 = 2016–2021 | clubs1 = Everton | caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2016 | clubs2 = → Barnsley (loan) | caps2 = 3 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2017 | clubs3 = → Wigan Athletic (loan) | caps3 = 17 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2017–2018 | clubs4 = → Ipswich Town (loan) | caps4 = 34 | goals4 = 4 | years5 = 2018–2019 | clubs5 = → Wigan Athletic (loan) | caps5 = 17 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2019 | clubs6 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan) | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 2 | years7 = 2019–2020 | clubs7 = → Lincoln City (loan) | caps7 = 11 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2020 | clubs8 = → Fleetwood Town (loan) | caps8 = 13 | goals8 = 2 | years9 = 2020–2021 | clubs9 = → Fleetwood Town (loan) | caps9 = 40 | goals9 = 2 | years10 = 2021–2024 | clubs10 = Blackpool | caps10 = 93 | goals10 = 3 | years11 = 2024– | clubs11 = Stockport County | caps11 = 53 | goals11 = 2 | nationalyears1 = 2014 | nationalteam1 = England U17 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2014–2015 | nationalteam2 = England U18 | nationalcaps2 = 9 | nationalgoals2 = 3 | nationalyears3 = 2015–2016 | nationalteam3 = England U19 | nationalcaps3 = 10 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2016–2017 | nationalteam4 = England U20 | nationalcaps4 = 7 | nationalgoals4 = 1 | nationalyears5 = 2018 | nationalteam5 = England U21 | nationalcaps5 = 4 | nationalgoals5 = 1 | club-update = 26 January 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 09:49, 14 July 2018 (UTC) }} '''Callum Alexander Connolly''' (born 23 September 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for {{English football updater|StockpoC}} side Stockport County.
He has previously played for Everton, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers, Lincoln City, Blackpool and Fleetwood Town.
A versatile player, Connolly can play across the back line of defence and in midfield.
==Career== ===Everton=== After playing with Crosby Stuart, Connolly joined Everton at the age of nine.<ref>''Sofa Talk'', Tangerine TV, Blackpool F.C.</ref> He has earned representation at England under-17 and under-18 level.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirkbride|first1=Phil|title=Everton youngster Callum Connolly cuts holiday short to prepare for new season|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-youngster-callum-connolly-cuts-9582572|accessdate=25 March 2016|work=Liverpool Echo|date=3 July 2015}}</ref> On 3 March 2016, he joined League One side Barnsley on a one-month loan deal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Everton defender Callum Connolly joins Barnsley on one-month loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35717908|accessdate=25 March 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=3 March 2016}}</ref> He made his debut two days later, in a 3–1 win over Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.<ref>{{cite news|title=Walsall 1 – 3 Barnsley|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35675595|accessdate=25 March 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=5 March 2016}}</ref>
Connolly made his first Everton teamsheet on 16 April 2016, when he was named as a substitute for the 1–1 draw with Southampton, coming on as a second-half substitute for injured right-back Seamus Coleman to make his Premier League debut.<ref>{{cite news|title=Everton debutants revel in 'dream come true' moment|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-debutants-revel-dream-come-11197134|accessdate=20 April 2016|work=Liverpool Echo|date=16 April 2016}}</ref>
On 14 January 2017, Connolly signed on loan for Wigan Athletic until the end of the season,<ref>{{cite news|title=CALLUM CONNOLLY SIGNS ON LOAN FOR WIGAN ATHLETIC|url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/callum-connolly-signs-for-wigan-athletic-3516926.aspx|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=Wigan Athletic|date=14 January 2017}}</ref> and just hours later made his debut and scored both goals as Wigan beat Burton Albion 2–0.<ref>{{cite news|title=Burton Albion 0–2 Wigan Athletic|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38539037|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=14 January 2017}}</ref>
For the 2017–2018 season, Connolly played on loan for Ipswich Town in the EFL Championship. Used largely in central midfield for the first time in his career,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/evertons-callum-connolly-tough-successful-14373121| title = Everton's Callum Connolly on his "tough" but "successful" loan at Ipswich – Liverpool Echo| date = 6 March 2018}}</ref> Connolly returned to Everton at the end of the season, having played an impressive 36 matches, scoring four goals.<ref name="evertonfc.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2018/06/12/connolly-ready-to-hit-ground-running |title=Determined Connolly Eager To Kick On After 'Valuable' Loan {{!}} Everton Football Club |website=www.evertonfc.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184339/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2018/06/12/connolly-ready-to-hit-ground-running |archive-date=2018-06-13}}</ref>
At the beginning of the 2018–19 season Connolly re-joined Wigan Athletic on loan, initially for the whole of the season<ref>{{cite news |title=Callum Connolly: Everton youngster joins Wigan on loan |work=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45130345 |accessdate=16 August 2018}}</ref> but on 31 January 2019 he was recalled by Everton and sent on loan for the second half of the season to Bolton Wanderers<ref>{{cite news |title=Callum Connolly: Everton youngster leaves Wigan to join Bolton on loan |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47081594 |accessdate=1 February 2019}}</ref>
On 29 August 2019, Connolly headed out on loan once more, this time joining League One side Lincoln City on a season-long deal,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2019/august/190829-callum-connolly/|title=Imps sign Toffees youngster on season-long loan|publisher=Lincoln City F.C.|date=29 August 2019|accessdate=29 August 2019}}</ref> but he returned to Everton early, after his loan spell was cut short in January.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connolly returns to Goodison Park |url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2020/january/200105-evertonloaneerecalled/ |publisher=Lincoln City F.C. |accessdate=6 January 2020}}</ref>
Connolly signed with Fleetwood Town on 6 January 2020 on a loan deal for the rest of the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Callum Connolly: Everton midfielder joins Fleetwood Town on loan |date=6 January 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51012131 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=6 January 2020}}</ref>
At the end of the 2020–21 it was announced that Connolly would leave the club at the end of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2165758/everton-announces-players-to-leave-club|title=EVERTON ANNOUNCES PLAYERS TO LEAVE CLUB|website=www.evertonfc.com|date=4 June 2021}}</ref>
===Blackpool=== Connolly signed for Blackpool in July 2021 after becoming a free agent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connolly Agees Blackpool Move|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/connolly-agrees-blackpool-move/ |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |access-date=24 June 2021}}</ref>
On 7 May 2024, the club announced he would be leaving the club in the summer once his contract expired.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title=Blackpool release 11 including Shayne Lavery and Marvin Ekpiteta |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crgyp7y440zo |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Stockport County=== On 15 June 2024, Connolly agreed to join newly-promoted League One side Stockport County on a two-year deal on 1 July 2024 after the expiry of his contract at Blackpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq55pw8n5gyo|title=Connolly signs for Stockport after leaving Blackpool|publisher=BBC|date=15 June 2024|accessdate=17 June 2024}}</ref>
On 27 May 2026, the club announced he was being released.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-27 |title=Ben Hinchliffe: Stockport County goalkeeper among four departures |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cdxpd0x25lko |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==International career== Connolly received his first international call up when he was named in the England under-17 squad for the 2014 Algarve Tournament.<ref>{{cite news|title=ENGLAND U17 SQUAD NAMED FOR ALGARVE TOURNAMENT|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/Feb/07/england-u17-squad-named-for-algarve-tournament-070214|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=The FA|date=7 February 2014}}</ref> Connolly made his debut against eventual winners Germany in the final group stage game, with England finishing runners-up in the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|title=ENGLAND UNDER-17 SUFFER LATE HEARTBREAK IN THE ALGARVE|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/Mar/02/england-u17s-v-germany-algarve-tournament-match-report-020314|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=The FA|date=2 March 2014}}</ref> 10 days later, he was named in the squad for the elite round of qualification for the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship,<ref>{{cite news|title=ENGLAND U17 SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR ELITE ROUND|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/Mar/12/england-u17-squad-named-for-elite-round-120314|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=The FA|date=12 March 2014}}</ref> and helped England qualify by starting the wins against Czech Republic and Italy.<ref>{{cite news|title=ARMSTRONG AND SOLANKE FIRE ENGLAND U17S INTO EURO FINALS|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/Mar/31/italy-v-england-u17-report|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=The FA|date=31 March 2014}}</ref> Connolly was not named in the squad for the final tournament, which England went on to win after beating the Netherlands on penalties in the final.<ref>{{cite news|title=England win European Under-17 Championship on penalties|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27512259|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=The FA|date=21 May 2014}}</ref>
Connolly was part of the England squad for the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, and started the first game, a 2–1 win against France.<ref>{{cite news|title=England hold off France fightback |url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2019792--france-vs-england/|access-date=14 January 2017|work=UEFA|date=12 July 2016}}</ref> However, he sustained an injury in the second half of the match, and withdrew from the squad six days later.<ref>{{cite news|title=CALLUM CONNOLLY WITHDRAWN FROM ENGLAND UNDER-19S SQUAD|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/Jul/18/callum-connolly-withdrawn-from-squad-180716|accessdate=14 January 2017|work=The FA|date=18 July 2016}}</ref> After also beating the Netherlands<ref>{{cite news|title=England pip Netherlands in added time|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2019796--netherlands-vs-england/|access-date=14 January 2017|work=UEFA|date=15 July 2016}}</ref> and Croatia<ref>{{cite news|title=England finish group stage with third straight win|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2019799--england-vs-croatia/|access-date=14 January 2017|work=UEFA|date=18 July 2016}}</ref> to top the group, England were eventually eliminated in the semi-finals against Italy.<ref>{{cite news|title=Italy down England with Dimarco double|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2020324--england-vs-italy/|access-date=14 January 2017|work=UEFA|date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
Connolly was selected for the England under-20 team in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40158560 |title=England Under-20s: Is this the country's next golden generation?|first= Jack |last=Skelton|work=BBC Sport |date=11 June 2017 }}</ref> He played in the opening match against Argentina and the second against Guinea,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/22/callum-connolly-guinea-world-cup-preview-220517 |title=Callum Connolly believes England's long-term planning for U20 World Cup is paying off |work=The FA |date= 22 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watch-evertons-england-world-cup-13172233 |title=Watch Everton's England World Cup winners enjoy post-match piley-on! |first= David |last=Prentice|date=12 June 2017|work=Liverpool Echo }}</ref> but was unused as a substitute in the final that England won, their first win in a global tournament since their World Cup victory of 1966.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40237981 |title= Under-20 World Cup: England beat Venezuela in final |work=BBC Sport |date= 11 June 2017 }}</ref>
Connolly played in four of the five matches as the England under-21 team won the 2018 Toulon Tournament, including scoring against Scotland in the semi-final.<ref name="evertonfc.com"/>
==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played 6 September 2025}}<ref>{{Soccerway|335180|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="7"|Everton ||2015–16<ref name="S15">{{soccerbase season|90311|2015|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |2016–17<ref name="S16">{{soccerbase season|90311|2016|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2017–18<ref name="S17">{{soccerbase season|90311|2017|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2018–19<ref name="S18">{{soccerbase season|90311|2018|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2019–20<ref name="S19">{{soccerbase season|90311|2019|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2020–21<ref name="S20">{{soccerbase season|90311|2020|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0 |- |Everton U21 |2017–18<ref name="S17"/> |colspan="3"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name="EFT"|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}}||0||1||0 |- |Barnsley (loan) |2015–16<ref name="S15"/> |League One |3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0 |- |Wigan Athletic (loan) |2016–17<ref name="S16"/> |Championship |17||2||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||18||2 |- |Ipswich Town (loan) |2017–18<ref name="S17"/> |Championship |34||4||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||35||1 |- |Wigan Athletic (loan) |2018–19<ref name="S18"/> |Championship |17||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||19||1 |- |Bolton Wanderers (loan) |2018–19<ref name="S18"/> |Championship |16||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||16||2 |- |Lincoln City (loan) |2019–20<ref name="S19"/> |League One |11||0||1||0||0||0||3{{efn|name="EFT"}}||0||15||0 |- |Fleetwood Town (loan) |2019–20<ref name="S19"/> |League One |13||2||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name="L1P"|Appearance(s) in EFL League One play-offs}}||0||15||2 |- |Fleetwood Town (loan) |2020–21<ref name="S20"/> |League One |40||2||1||0||0||0||1{{efn|name="EFT"}}||0||42||2 |- |rowspan="4"|Blackpool |2021–22<ref name="S21">{{soccerbase season|90311|2021|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Championship |31||2||1||0||1||1||colspan="2"|—||33||3 |- |2022–23<ref name="S22">{{soccerbase season|90311|2022|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |Championship |41||1||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||43||1 |- |2023–24<ref name="S23">{{soccerbase season|90311|2023|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |League One |21||0||4||0||2||0||5{{efn|name="EFT"}}||0||32||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !93!!3!!6!!0!!4!!1!!5!!0!!108!!4 |- |rowspan="3"|Stockport County |2024–25<ref name="S24">{{soccerbase season|90311|2024|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |League One |38||1||2||0||0||0||3{{efn|Two appearances in EFL Trophy, One appearance in EFL League One play-offs}}||0||43||1 |- |2025–26<ref name="S25">{{soccerbase season|90311|2025|access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> |League One |7||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||8||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !45!!1!!2!!0!!1!!0!!3!!0!!51!!1 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !290!!17!!13!!0!!6!!1!!15!!0!!324!!18 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''England U20''' *FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2017{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
'''England U21''' *Toulon Tournament: 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/jun/09/engvmextoulon090618 |title=Final fightback takes England U21S to Toulon hat-trick with win over Mexico |publisher=The Football Association |date=9 June 2018 |accessdate=10 June 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players?p=356369 England profile] at The FA *{{Soccerbase}}
{{Stockport County F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, Callum}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Liverpool Category:English men's footballers Category:England men's youth international footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Everton F.C. players Category:Barnsley F.C. players Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Category:Lincoln City F.C. players Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players Category:Blackpool F.C. players Category:Stockport County F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Premier League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen