{{short description|British association football player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Callum Cooke | image = Callumcooke.jpg | caption = Cooke warming up for Hartlepool United in 2022 | fullname = Callum James Cooke<ref name="Retained List 2015-16">{{cite web|title=Retained List 2015–16|url=http://www.efl.com/documents/professional-retained-report-2015-16549-3151378.pdf|publisher=English Football League|accessdate=9 May 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202052144/http://www.efl.com/documents/professional-retained-report-2015-16549-3151378.pdf|archivedate=2 December 2016}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1997|2|21}}<ref name="11v11">{{cite web | title = Callum Cooke | url = http://www.11v11.com/players/callum-cooke-253869/ | publisher = 11v11 | accessdate = 9 May 2017 | archive-date = 12 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212224403/https://www.11v11.com/players/callum-cooke-253869/ | url-status = live }}</ref> | birth_place = Peterlee, England | height = {{height|m=1.72}}<ref name="11v11"/> | position = Midfielder | currentclub = Napier City Rovers | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2015 | youthclubs1 = Middlesbrough | years1 = 2015–2018 | clubs1 = Middlesbrough | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2017 | clubs2 = → Crewe Alexandra (loan) | caps2 = 18 | goals2 = 4 | years3 = 2017–2018 | clubs3 = → Blackpool (loan) | caps3 = 30 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2018–2020 | clubs4 = Peterborough United | caps4 = 13 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2019–2020 | clubs5 = → Bradford City (loan) | caps5 = 25 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2020–2022 | clubs6 = Bradford City | caps6 = 76 | goals6 = 5 | years7 = 2022–2024 | clubs7 = Hartlepool United | caps7 = 68 | goals7 = 9 | years8 = 2025 | clubs8 = Morecambe | caps8 = 18 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2026– | clubs9 = Napier City Rovers | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2012–2013 | nationalteam1 = England U16 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 2 | nationalyears2 = 2013–2014 | nationalteam2 = England U17 | nationalcaps2 = 18 | nationalgoals2 = 2 | nationalyears3 = 2014 | nationalteam3 = England U18 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | club-update = 13:48, 14 March 2026 (UTC) }} '''Callum James Cooke''' (born 21 February 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for New Zealand Central League club Napier City Rovers.
Born in Peterlee, Cooke started his career with Middlesbrough, signing his first professional contract in June 2014. After loan spells with Crewe Alexandra and Blackpool, Cooke left Middlesbrough permanently in 2018 to sign with Peterborough United. Cooke spent a loan spell with Bradford City before moving there permanently in 2020. After two seasons with Bradford, he returned to the North East, signing for Hartlepool United in 2022. Cooke left Hartlepool in June 2024 but did not sign for another club until January 2025 when he moved to Morecambe on a short-term deal. He left Morecambe at the end of the 2024–25 season following the expiration of his contract.
He has also represented England at youth level, up until U18 level.
==Career==
===Middlesbrough=== Cooke began his career with Middlesbrough's Academy and he signed a professional contract with the club in June 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Championship: Middlesbrough teenager Callum Cooke signs three-year professional contract|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11680/9362092/championship-middlesbrough-teenager-callum-cooke-signs-three-year-professional-contract|website=Sky Sports|accessdate=8 February 2017|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075817/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11680/9362092/championship-middlesbrough-teenager-callum-cooke-signs-three-year-professional-contract|url-status=live}}</ref> He played for Middlesbrough U23s in two EFL Trophy ties in 2016, scoring one goal.<ref name="Soccerbase">{{Soccerbase season|95990|2016|name=Callum Cooke|accessdate=17 February 2017}}</ref>
In January 2017 Cooke joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on loan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crewe sign Scunthorpe's Jonny Margetts and Middlesbrough's Callum Cooke on loan|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38808365|accessdate=8 February 2017|archive-date=5 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205121432/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38808365|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his professional debut on 4 February 2017 in a 4–0 defeat away at Exeter City,<ref>{{cite news|title=Exeter 4–0 Crewe|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38779132|accessdate=8 February 2017}}</ref> then scored on his home debut in a 5–0 win over Grimsby Town on 11 February.<ref name="BBC-11Feb2017">{{cite news|last1=Press Association|title=Crewe Alexandra 5–0 Grimsby Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38864832|accessdate=17 February 2017|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=11 February 2017|archive-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213203432/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38864832|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 May 2017, Crewe announced that Cooke would be returning to his parent club.<ref>[http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/2016-17/crewe-alexandra-retained-list-2017-3711163.aspx Crewe Alexandra Retained List 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516213355/http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/2016-17/crewe-alexandra-retained-list-2017-3711163.aspx |date=16 May 2017 }}, CreweAlex.net. Retrieved: 9 May 2017.</ref>
On 18 July 2017, Cooke joined League One club Blackpool on loan until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/callum-cooke-to-gain-more-league-experience-on-loan |title=Callum Cooke To Gain More League Experience On Loan |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |accessdate=18 July 2017 |archive-date=22 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122002507/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/callum-cooke-to-gain-more-league-experience-on-loan |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Peterborough United=== On 30 July 2018, Cooke signed for League One side Peterborough United on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theposh.com/news/2018/july/posh-secure-cooke-signing/ |title=Posh Secure Cooke Signing |publisher=Peterborough United F.C. |accessdate=30 July 2018 |archive-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730202614/https://www.theposh.com/news/2018/july/posh-secure-cooke-signing/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
He was transfer-listed by Peterborough United at the end of the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48191969|title=Peterborough United: Aaron Chapman among five transfer-listed as four released|date=7 May 2019|accessdate=8 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108000454/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48191969|url-status=live}}</ref> He moved on loan to Bradford City in August 2019 for the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/cooke-in-city-loan-switch/|title=Cooke in City loan switch|website=www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk|access-date=22 August 2019|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126201139/https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/cooke-in-city-loan-switch/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17855296.midfielder-cooke-signs-bradford-city/|title=Midfielder Cooke signs for Bradford City|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=22 August 2019 |access-date=22 August 2019|archive-date=22 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822165806/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17855296.midfielder-cooke-signs-bradford-city/|url-status=live}}</ref> His loan expired on 1 May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18419764.bradford-city-release-loan-trio-mottley-henry/|title=Bradford City release loan trio and Mottley-Henry|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=May 2020 |access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501172649/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18419764.bradford-city-release-loan-trio-mottley-henry/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cooke left Peterborough at the end of the 2019–20 season following the expiration of his contract.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Peterborough United confirm Peterborough Telegraph story re six released players and the departure of the club’s loan players| url = https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/peterborough-united-confirm-peterborough-telegraph-story-re-six-released-players-and-the-departure-of-the-clubs-loan-players-2881191| publisher = Peterborough Today| date = 11 June 2020}}</ref> In total, Cooke played 20 times for The Posh in all competitions, scoring once.
===Bradford City=== He returned to Bradford City in July 2020, signing a permanent two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18605651.midfielder-cooke-rejoins-bradford-city-two-year-deal/|title="This is the club I wanted to be at": Callum Cooke is back at Bradford City|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=25 July 2020 |access-date=25 July 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725083557/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18605651.midfielder-cooke-rejoins-bradford-city-two-year-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his first appearance as a permanent Bradford player was in an EFL Cup defeat against Bolton Wanderers on 5 September 2020. In November 2020, Cooke scored his first goal for the Bantams in a 3–0 home win against Southend United. In the 2020–21 season, Cooke made 38 appearances in all competitions for Bradford scoring three times.<ref name="CC20"/> Cooke was released by the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/may/six-bantams-to-depart/|title=Six Bantams to depart|website=www.bradfordcityafc.com|date=13 May 2022|access-date=13 May 2022|archive-date=13 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513160016/https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/may/six-bantams-to-depart/|url-status=live}}</ref> Including his loan spell with Bradford, Cooke made a total of 112 appearances in all competitions and scored six times for the club.
===Hartlepool United=== On 6 July 2022, following his departure from Bradford, Cooke decided to join League Two side Hartlepool United on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20259977.callum-cooke-completes-hartlepool-move-bradford-city-exit/ |title=Hartlepool have fought off competition to sign ex-Boro midfielder Callum Cooke |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=6 July 2022 |access-date=6 July 2022 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706160617/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20259977.callum-cooke-completes-hartlepool-move-bradford-city-exit/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62070584 |title=Callum Cooke: Hartlepool United sign ex-Bradford City midfielder |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 July 2022 |access-date=11 May 2023 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511113746/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62070584 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cooke scored his first Hartlepool goal in a 3–1 win against Harrogate Town in the FA Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63708698 |title=Pools see off Harrogate after Mattocks red card |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126111830/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63708698 |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored his first league goal on Boxing Day in 2022 which was a late 25-yard free kick in a 2–1 win at Rochdale.<ref name="CC22"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64022637 |title=Rochdale 1–2 Hartlepool United |work=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2022 |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226174458/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64022637 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In September 2023, it was announced that Cooke would be ruled out for several months due to an ankle injury sustained in training.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-dealt-another-major-injury-blow-with-ex-bradford-city-midfielder-set-for-lengthy-spell-out-4338822 |title=Hartlepool United dealt another major injury blow with ex-Bradford City midfielder set for lengthy spell out |author=Joe Ramage |publisher=Hartlepool Mail |date=16 September 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023 |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111175609/https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-dealt-another-major-injury-blow-with-ex-bradford-city-midfielder-set-for-lengthy-spell-out-4338822 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, he returned to the Hartlepool side sooner than expected in November 2023 and was praised by Pools manager John Askey upon his return to the side.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/takeaways-hartlepool-united-2-2-122237585.html |title=The takeaways: Hartlepool United 2–2 Ebbsfleet – 'Like Zinedine Zidane' and how injuries impacted John Askey's system change as things still didn't work for Pools |publisher=Yahoo Sport |date=13 November 2023 |access-date=20 November 2023 |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119141104/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/takeaways-hartlepool-united-2-2-122237585.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Cooke provided all three assists in a 3–1 away win against York City early in his return to action.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-uniteds-202324-national-league-season-end-of-term-grades-4606784 |title=Hartlepool United's 2023/24 National League season end of term grades |first=Robbie |last=Stelling |website=Hartlepool Mail |date=26 April 2024 |access-date=6 May 2024 |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507113301/https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-uniteds-202324-national-league-season-end-of-term-grades-4606784 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was released by Hartlepool United at the end of the 2023–24 season having made 76 appearances in his two seasons with the club, scoring 11 times.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/april/retained-list-202324/ |title=Retained List 2023/24 |website=Hartlepool United FC |date=30 April 2024 |access-date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=30 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430163842/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/april/retained-list-202324/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="SW"/>
=== Morecambe === On 15 January 2025, Cooke signed a six-month contract with League Two club Morecambe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=Morecambe: Shrimps bring in ex-Hartlepool midfielder Callum Cooke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8yxyenn30o |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=15 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115110834/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8yxyenn30o |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of the 2024–25 season, following Morecambe's relegation, Cooke's contract was not renewed.
In January 2026, still without a club, Cooke began training with his former side Hartlepool in order to regain fitness. Pools boss Nicky Featherstone told the local press: "He's wanting to go abroad, so it was just a case of helping him get fit, nothing more than that."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-boss-discusses-potential-return-for-callum-cooke-as-midfielder-trains-with-squad-5468020 |title=Hartlepool United boss discusses potential return for Callum Cooke as midfielder trains with squad |publisher=Hartlepool Mail |date=8 January 2026 |accessdate=10 January 2026}}</ref>
===Napier City Rovers=== In March 2026, Cooke joined New Zealand Central League club Napier City Rovers.<ref> {{cite instagram|postid=DVzSHCMkp74|title=🔵⚪ SIGNING ANNOUNCED ⚪🔵 @thirstywhale Napier City Rovers are thrilled to welcome @callumcooke97 to Hawke’s Bay! 🙌 The 29-year-old attacking midfielder arrives with serious pedigree — coming through the Middlesbrough academy before going on to represent Peterborough United, Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra, Hartlepool United and most recently Morecambe across a distinguished 10 year career in English professional football. A former England youth international at U16, U17 and U18 level, Callum brings creativity, experience and winning mentality to our midfield. Callum will be part of the Rovers squad lining up against @birkenhead_united_afc in more pre season action on Saturday 14 March. Kick off is 3.30pm at Bluewater Stadium. As one of our most exciting signings in recent memory, we can’t wait to see Callum on the pitch as we launch into our quest for @nzleagues in 2026 and beyond. Welcome to the Rovers family, Callum!|user=napier_city_rovers|author-link=Napier City Rovers FC|date=13 March 2026|accessdate=14 March 2026}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|3 May 2025}}
{| 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"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals !Apps!!Goals !Apps!!Goals !Apps!!Goals !Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=4|Middlesbrough |2015–16<ref name="CC15">{{soccerbase season|95990|2015|access-date=19 July 2017}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |2016–17<ref name="CC16">{{soccerbase season|95990|2016|access-date=19 July 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |2017–18<ref name="CC17">{{soccerbase season|95990|2017|access-date=19 July 2017}}</ref> |Championship |0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!colspan=2|—!!0!!0 |- |Middlesbrough U23 |2016–17<ref name="CC16"/> |colspan=3|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|name=EFLT}}||1||2||1 |- |Crewe Alexandra (loan) |2016–17<ref name="CC16" /> |League Two |18||4||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||18||4 |- |Blackpool (loan) |2017–18<ref name="CC17"/> |League One |30||2||1||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}}||0||34||2 |- |Peterborough United |2018–19<ref name="CC18">{{soccerbase season|95990|2018|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> |League One |13||1||1||0||1||0||5{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||20||1 |- |Bradford City (loan) |2019–20<ref name="CC19">{{soccerbase season|95990|2019|access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref> |League Two |25||0||1||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||27||0 |- |rowspan="3"| Bradford City |2020–21<ref name="CC20">{{soccerbase season|95990|2020|access-date=13 May 2022}}</ref> |League Two |34||3||2||0||2||0||0||0||38||3 |- |2021–22<ref name="CC21">{{soccerbase season|95990|2021|access-date=13 May 2022}}</ref> |League Two |42||2||2||0||1||1||2{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||47||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !76!!5!!4!!0!!3!!1!!3!!0!!85!!6 |- |rowspan="3"|Hartlepool United |2022–23<ref name="CC22">{{soccerbase season|95990|2022|access-date=31 July 2022}}</ref> |League Two |34||4||4||1||1||0||1{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||40||5 |- |2023–24<ref name="SW">{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/callum-cooke/320276/ |title=C.Cooke summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=6 May 2024 |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111175608/https://uk.soccerway.com/players/callum-cooke/320276/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |National League |35||5||0||0||0||0||1{{efn|Appearance in FA Trophy}}||1||36||6 |- !colspan="2"|Total !69!!9!!4!!1!!1!!0!!2!!1!!76!!11 |- |Morecambe |2024–25<ref name="CC24">{{soccerbase season|95990|2024|access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref> |League Two |18||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||18||1 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !249!!22!!11!!1!!5!!1!!15!!2!!280!!26 |}
{{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase|id=95990}} *[http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/c/callum-cooke England profile] at The Football Association
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooke, Callum}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:People from Peterlee Category:Footballers from County Durham Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players Category:Blackpool F.C. players Category:Peterborough United F.C. players Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players Category:Morecambe F.C. players Category:Napier City Rovers FC players Category:English Football League players Category:New Zealand National League players Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's association footballers in New Zealand Category:English expatriate sportspeople in New Zealand Category:21st-century English sportsmen