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Callum Wright

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Callum Wright
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-05-02) 2 May 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Huyton, England[1]
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Plymouth Argyle
Number 11
Youth career
Tranmere Rovers
Everton
2015–2018 Blackburn Rovers
2018–2020 Leicester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Leicester City 0 (0)
2021 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 17 (4)
2021–2022 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 34 (9)
2022–2023 Blackpool 10 (0)
2023– Plymouth Argyle 62 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:09, 22 February 2025 (UTC)

Callum Wright (born 2 May 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle.

Born in Merseyside, Wright began with Tranmere Rovers and Everton before moving to the youth setup of Blackburn Rovers in 2015. He then left for Leicester City in 2018. Wright was loaned out to Cheltenham Town in the 2021–2022 season, helping them secure promotion to League One after a successful loan spell. He returned the following season and helped Cheltenham achieve their highest ever finish in the third tier. He then moved permanently to Blackpool in 2022, but struggled for gametime and signed for Plymouth in January 2023.

Early and personal life

[edit]

Wright grew up in Huyton and attended Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby.[3] The Bluebell Estate in Huyton where he was raised was also the home to Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Leicester City striker David Nugent.[4] He grew up "idolising" the former, and served as a Liverpool team mascot at the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in 2008.[3]

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

"The reason I played for Tranmere was I could play with my mates. So if I played for Tranmere on a Sunday and I'd train two or three times a week I could still play with my friends on the Saturday. Whereas your Liverpool's and your Everton's you were contracted from the age of eight so you weren't allowed to play any Sunday League football."

Wright on playing for Tranmere Rovers.[5]

Wright began with Tranmere Rovers after being scouted while playing for his brother's team, before leaving for Everton.[4][6] He was released by Everton at age 13, before moving to Blackburn Rovers following a trial in 2015.[7][4] He signed a two-year scholarship in 2016.[8] After making 24 appearances and scoring 3 times for the under-18s in his debut season, he was moved up to the under-23 squad in 2017.[9][10] He attracted interest from numerous Premier League teams while at Blackburn, including his former team Everton.[11][7]

Leicester City

[edit]

Wright eventually chose Leicester City, signing a three-and-a-half year contract in February 2018.[12] Wright made his Leicester under-23 debut on 2 February 2018 in a 1–0 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League 2.[13] While at Leicester, he was called up to the England U18 to play in the 2018 Panda Cup in China.[14]

2020–21 season: First Cheltenham Town loan

[edit]

Wright joined EFL League Two side Cheltenham Town on loan in February 2021 for the remainder of the season.[6][15][16] He made his Cheltenham Town debut on 16 February 2021, starting in a league match away to Walsall.[17] The match finished 2–1 to Cheltenham with Wright scoring the winner.[18] Manager Michael Duff praised Wright for not looking "like a crisp packet, floating around and getting knocked over."[19] On the final matchday on 8 May, Wright scored in a 4–1 win against Harrogate Town to secure the League Two title.[20] He finished the season 17 appearances with 4 goals in his debut campaign with Cheltenham.[21] His goal on 2 April 2021, a volley in a 4–0 win over his former club Tranmere Rovers, won Cheltenham's Goal of the Season.[3]

2021–22 season: Second Cheltenham Town loan

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In August 2021 he returned to Cheltenham Town for a season-long second loan spell, who were now in League One.[21] His contract for Leicester was due to expire in the summer of 2021 but he activated a one-year extension when rejoining Cheltenham.[4] His first match of the season came on 10 August in a 2–0 win over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup.[22] His league debut came on 14 August in a 3–1 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers.[23] He scored his first goal on 17 August against Ipswich Town, the equaliser in a match that eventually finished in a 2–1 victory.[24] After the match, manager Michael Duff compared Wright's ability to impact games to Frank Lampard.[25] After one goal and 3 assists in 6 appearances in August, he won Cheltenham's Player of the Month.[26] Wright also won August Goal of the Month for a goal he scored on 27 August in a 1–1 draw to Burton Albion.[27][28]

However, it was revealed in September that Wright had sustained a lateral ligament injury and could be out for 6 months.[29] He made his return 2 months later on 23 November in a 2–0 victory against Gillingham, coming on as a substitute for Alfie May.[30] His goal on 8 January in a 1–1 draw against Burton, described as a "stunning volley", won January's Goal of the Month.[31][32] After playing all 5 matches in January, scoring 2 goals, he won Player of the Month, repeating the feat he performed in August of winning both Goal and Player of the Month.[32] Wright finished the season with 37 appearances in all competitions with 9 goals.[33][34]

Blackpool

[edit]

On his return to Leicester, Wright's contract was set to expire in the summer of 2022. As a result, numerous EFL teams were interested in signing him.[35] Wright extended his contract with Leicester for one year until 2023 instead, saying “I can’t wait to take on the next challenge.”[36] He impressed in pre-season but joined Blackpool on 1 September 2022 for an undisclosed fee.[37][38][39] The contract was for an initial 3 years, with an option to extend for an additional year.[40] Blackpool manager Michael Appleton had worked with Wright when Appleton was at Leicester.[41] Wright made his debut on 14 September in a 3–0 defeat to Rotherham United.[2] He was also injured in the match, dislocating a joint in his leg.[42] He made his first start on his return from injury against Norwich City on 1 October.[43] The match finished 1–0 to Norwich.[44] By January 2023, Wright had only made 10 appearances with 5 of them being starts.[45][46]

Plymouth Argyle

[edit]

2022–23 season

[edit]

Wright signed for League One leaders Plymouth Argyle in January 2023, signing a three-and-a-half contract until 2026.[1][47] He said of the move, "It was a no-brainer, as soon as it came back about. When the window opened, I knew it could happen. I said to my agent and my family: 'I just need to get it done. I want to go there and become one of them.'"[48]

He started a full debut on 7 January in a 0–0 draw to Bolton Wanderers.[49][50] Wright scored his first goal in his home debut against his former club Cheltenham in a 4–2 victory on 21 January.[51] Wright finished the season with 20 league appearances for Plymouth, 23 in all competitions, and 4 goals.[52][53]

2023–24 season

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Wright started Plymouth's Championship season opener on 5 August 2023 in a 3–1 victory against Huddersfield Town.[54] He suffered a knee ligament injury in a 4–1 defeat to Bristol City on 19 September 2023, and it was reported he could miss up to 7 weeks despite not needing surgery.[55][56] He made his return in a 3–3 draw against Middlesbrough on 4 November, and made his first start on 9 December in a 4–0 defeat to former club Leicester.[57] After manager Steven Schumacher left for Stoke City in December, Ian Foster was appointed to replace him.[58] Under Foster, Wright fell out of favour, only playing 1 league match before Foster was sacked.[59] Wright finished the season with 8 starts in 21 league appearances without scoring.[2]

2024–25 season

[edit]

Wayne Rooney had been appointed as Plymouth manager in May, and made his competitive managerial debut for the club in a league match against Sheffield Wednesday on 11 August 2024, the season opener.[60][61] Wright came on as a substitute for Mustapha Bundu in the match, which finished in a 4–0 loss.[62] Wright faced a red card for what Rooney called "a stupid tackle" on Joel Latibeaudiere in a 4–0 defeat to Coventry City on 26 December 2024 and was suspended for 3 matches.[63] Under new manager Miron Muslić, Wright saw more gametime after having limited playing time under Rooney.[64] In the fourth round tie of the FA Cup, Plymouth drew Liverpool, the club Wright supports.[65] Wright started the match, and Plymouth ended up winning 1–0.[66] Plymouth owner Simon Hallett praised Wright for "playing like a man possessed", and Wright swapped shirts with Liverpool player Luis Díaz after the match.[67][68]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 22 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leicester City U21 2018–19[69] — — — 1[a] 0 1 0
2019–20[70] — — — 5[a] 0 5 0
2020–21[71] — — — 5[a] 2 5 2
Total — — — 11 2 11 2
Leicester City 2020–21[71] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2021–22[72] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2020–21[71] League Two 17 4 0 0 0 0 — 17 4
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2021–22[72] League One 34 9 1 0 2 0 — 37 9
Blackpool 2022–23[73] Championship 10 0 0 0 0 0 — 10 0
Plymouth Argyle 2022–23[73] League One 20 4 0 0 0 0 3[a] 0 23 4
2023–24[74] Championship 21 0 3 0 2 0 — 26 0
2024–25[75] Championship 21 0 2 0 2 0 — 25 0
Total 62 4 5 0 4 0 3 0 74 4
Career total 123 17 6 0 6 0 14 2 149 19
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance in EFL Trophy

Honours

[edit]

Cheltenham Town

Plymouth Argyle

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Callum Wright Signs". Plymouth Argyle. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Callum Wright". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Palmer, Jon (20 August 2021). "Callum Wright on growing up on same estate as Steven Gerrard". Gloucestershire Live.
  4. ^ a b c d Rob Tanner (10 May 2022). "'I don't know if Leicester want me to stay' – Callum Wright on his future". The Athletic. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  5. ^ Richard Joyce (23 March 2021). "Wright on thriving on pressure, Leicester & growing up in Merseyside football". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  6. ^ a b Palmer, Jon (1 February 2021). "Leicester City midfielder joins Cheltenham Town on loan". GloucestershireLive.
  7. ^ a b Rich Sharpe (18 January 2018). "Rovers keen to secure the future of talented teenager Callum Wright amid Premier League interest". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  8. ^ "Blackburn Rovers welcome latest intakes into Academy". Lancashire Telegraph. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Callum Wright Signs Professional Leicester City Contract". Leicester City. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  10. ^ "Foxes Snap Up Rovers Starlet Wright". League Football Education. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  11. ^ Phil Kirkbride (17 January 2018). "Everton make offer for Blackburn Rovers star Callum Wright". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  12. ^ Sharpe, James (1 February 2018). "Callum Wright: What you need to know about City's new signing". Leicester Mercury.
  13. ^ Sam Stevens (5 February 2018). "Wright Not Fazed By Foxes Challenge". Leicester City. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  14. ^ Laura Scigliano (24 May 2018). "Foxes Set For Pre-World Cup International Duty". Leicester City. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  15. ^ "Callum Wright Joins Cheltenham Town On Loan". Leicester City. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  16. ^ "Leicester loan Wright to Cheltenham" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  17. ^ Murry Toms (16 February 2021). "Report & highlights: Walsall 1-2 Robins". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  18. ^ Jordan Blackwell (17 February 2021). "Leicester City loanee praised for not playing like a 'crisp packet' as he marks debut with goal". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  19. ^ Jon Palmer (16 February 2021). "Midfielder out for season, but key man due back in a fortnight - Cheltenham Town boss Michael Duff after the 2-1 win at Walsall". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  20. ^ a b John Townley. "Report & highlights: The Town are Champions". www.ctfc.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021.
  21. ^ a b "Cheltenham sign Perry and Wright on loan" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  22. ^ Murry Toms (10 August 2021). "Report & highlights: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Town". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  23. ^ Christian Parry (14 August 2021). "Report & highlights: Town 1-3 Wycombe Wanderers". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  24. ^ Murry Toms (17 August 2021). "Report & highlights: Robins 2-1 Ipswich Town". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  25. ^ Jon Palmer (17 August 2021). ""Hopefully we'll have a few more of these days" - Cheltenham Town boss Michael Duff after the 2-1 win over Ipswich Town". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  26. ^ Luke Saunders (6 September 2021). "Callum Wright chosen as Autovillage Player of the Month". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  27. ^ Jon Palmer (28 August 2021). "Burton Albion v Cheltenham Town RECAP: Robins pegged back by Brewers after Callum Wright strike". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  28. ^ Luke Saunders (28 September 2021). "Callum Wright wins August Goal of the Month award". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  29. ^ Jon Palmer (21 September 2021). "Leicester City loan star Callum Wright sidelined for six months". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  30. ^ Richard Joyce (23 November 2021). "Report & highlights: Gillingham 0-2 Robins". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  31. ^ George Bennett (8 January 2022). "Report & highlights: Robins 1-1 Burton Albion". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  32. ^ a b Luke Saunders (21 February 2022). "Callum Wright chosen as January Autovillage Player of the Month". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  33. ^ "Callum Wright Joins Blackpool On Permanent Deal". Leicester City. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  34. ^ Jordan Blackwell (10 June 2022). "Leicester City prospect excited for first-team challenge after contract extended". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  35. ^ Matt Abbott (28 May 2022). "Leicester City manager makes 'greater' challenge admission as contract extension triggered". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  36. ^ Jordan Blackwell (10 June 2022). "Leicester City prospect excited for first-team challenge after contract extended". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  37. ^ Jordan Blackwell (12 September 2023). "Wesley Fofana nightmare, striker on the rise – what happened next for seven Leicester City exits". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  38. ^ FC, Blackpool. "Seasiders Secure Signing of Callum Wright". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  39. ^ "Blackpool bring in Wright and Emmerson" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  40. ^ Matt Scrafton (1 September 2022). "Blackpool complete last-gasp transfer day deal for Leicester City midfielder". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  41. ^ Matt Scrafton (3 September 2022). "Everything Michael Appleton said on Blackpool's transfer deadline day, Josh Bowler's departure and Callum Wright's arrival". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  42. ^ Matt Scrafton (16 September 2022). "Ex-Leicester City man dealt injury blow ahead of Blackpool's trip to Millwall". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  43. ^ "Team News: Maxwell Starts Against Norwich City". Blackpool FC. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  44. ^ Sean McGinlay (1 October 2022). "Blackpool 0-1 Norwich City highlights and Michael Appleton reaction from Bloomfield Road". LancsLive. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  45. ^ Matt Scrafton (5 January 2023). "'I didn't have much else': Callum Wright provides revealing assessment of summer Blackpool move after joining Plymouth Argyle". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  46. ^ Matt Scrafton (6 January 2023). "Key Blackpool figure explains why ex-Leicester City man was allowed to join Plymouth Argyle just four months after arriving". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  47. ^ "Callum Wright: Plymouth Argyle sign midfielder from Blackpool". 4 January 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  48. ^ "Callum Wright | First Interview". Plymouth Argyle. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  49. ^ Chris Errington (8 January 2023). "Steven Schumacher on Callum Wright and how he differs from Morgan Whittaker". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  50. ^ "REPORT | BOLTON WANDERERS 0 ARGYLE 0". Plymouth Argyle. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  51. ^ Chris Errington (21 January 2023). "Plymouth Argyle keep up ferocious pace at top of League One by beating Cheltenham Town". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  52. ^ Jordan Blackwell (12 September 2023). "Wesley Fofana nightmare, striker on the rise – what happened next for seven Leicester City exits". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  53. ^ "Callum Wright". Plymouth Argyle. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  54. ^ "REPORT | ARGYLE 3 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1". Plymouth Argyle. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  55. ^ Chris Errington (28 September 2023). "Plymouth Argyle dealt Callum Wright knee ligament injury blow". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  56. ^ "Callum Wright: Plymouth Argyle midfielder suffers knee ligament injury". BBC Sport. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  57. ^ Chris Errington (12 December 2023). "Callum Wright out to make up for lost time with Plymouth Argyle after injury". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
  58. ^ "Ian Foster: Plymouth Argyle appoint former England Under-20 boss as head coach". BBC Sport. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  59. ^ Adam Le Roux (30 July 2024). "Plymouth Argyle flop could have Home Park u-turn under Wayne Rooney: View". Football League World. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  60. ^ Brent Pilnick (25 May 2024). "Rooney appointed Plymouth Argyle head coach". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  61. ^ Matt Hughes (10 August 2024). "'There's always going to be doubters': Wayne Rooney has point to prove at Plymouth". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  62. ^ "Report | Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 Argyle". Plymouth Argyle. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  63. ^ Chris Errington (27 December 2024). "Callum Wright ban leaves injury-hit Plymouth Argyle even more depleted". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  64. ^ Chris Errington (13 February 2025). "Miron Muslic fixing the Plymouth Argyle puzzle over Callum Wright". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  65. ^ Chris Dunlavy (9 February 2025). "Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool: 'Reds tie couldn't be more right for me', says Callum Wright". The Football League Paper. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  66. ^ Michael Butler (9 February 2025). "Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool: FA Cup – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  67. ^ Chris Errington (11 February 2025). "Simon Hallett praises Miron Muslic for 'very positive' Plymouth Argyle impact". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  68. ^ Joanna Durkan (10 February 2025). ""Greatest" shirt swap & boyhood Reds' dream – Plymouth players on Liverpool win". www.thisisanfield.com. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  69. ^ "Games played by Callum Wright in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  70. ^ "Games played by Callum Wright in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  71. ^ a b c "Games played by Callum Wright in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  72. ^ a b "Games played by Callum Wright in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  73. ^ a b "Games played by Callum Wright in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  74. ^ "Games played by Callum Wright in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  75. ^ "Games played by Callum Wright in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  76. ^ "Plymouth beat Port Vale to win League One title". BBC Sport. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  77. ^ Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton crush Plymouth to win Papa Johns Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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