Josh Knight Explained

Josh Knight
Full Name:Joshua Michael Knight[1]
Birth Date:1997 9, df=y[2]
Birth Place:Fleckney, England
Height:1.85m (06.07feet)[3]
Position:Defender, midfielder
Currentclub:Hannover 96
Clubnumber:2
Youthyears1:2014–2016
Youthclubs1:Leicester City
Years1:2016–2021
Clubs1:Leicester City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2019
Clubs2:Peterborough United (loan)
Caps2:8
Goals2:0
Years3:2019–2020
Clubs3:Peterborough United (loan)
Caps3:24
Goals3:3
Years4:2020–2021
Clubs4:Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Caps4:37
Goals4:1
Years5:2021–2024
Clubs5:Peterborough United
Caps5:109
Goals5:6
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Hannover 96
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Club-Update:09:40, 1 July 2024 (UTC)

Joshua Michael Knight (born 7 September 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or a midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96.

Early life

Knight was born to Sue and Mick and attended Robert Smyth Academy in Market Harborough.[4] He and his family are lifelong Leicester City fans.[5]

Career

Leicester City

Knight began his football at Fleckney Athletic and joined the Leicester City Academy at the age of eight. Knight received his scholarship at the age of sixteen, making numerous appearances for the U18s and signed his first professional contract with the club as he turned 18.

Knight made his debut for Leicester City on 22 August 2017 in a victory in the Football League Cup away at Sheffield United.[6] On 11 January 2019, Knight was awarded Premier League 2 player of the month for December.[7]

Peterborough United (loan)

On 31 January 2019, Knight signed a new contract with Leicester and joined Peterborough United on loan for the rest of the season.[8] He made his debut for the club against Oxford United on 16 February 2019, but came off injured in the 22nd minute.[9]

On 2 August 2019, Knight re-signed for Peterborough on loan for the 2019–20 season.[10]

Knight scored his first senior goal in a 3–0 victory over Sunderland on 31 August 2019.[11]

Wycombe Wanderers (loan)

Knight signed a short-term loan with Championship club Wycombe Wanderers on 5 October 2020.[12] On 7 January 2021, this loan spell was extended until the end of the 2020–21 season.[13] He scored his first goal for Wycombe in an FA Cup tie against Preston North End on 9 January 2021.[14]

Knight won both the Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year awards at the end of the season.[15]

Peterborough United

On 2 July 2021, Knight signed for Peterborough on a permanent deal following two previous loan spells at the club.[16]

On 7 April 2024, Knight was a part of the Peterborough United squad that defeated Wycombe Wanderers in the 2024 EFL Trophy final.

Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, he was offered a new contract by Peterborough.[17] In May 2024, it was reported that Knight had been offered lucrative terms by an overseas club, initially suggested to be Werder Bremen.[18]

Hannover 96

On 11 June 2024, Knight agreed to join 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96 on a two-year contract with the option for a further twelve months.[19]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leicester City U212016–171010
2017–185252
2018–193030
Total9292
Leicester City2017–18Premier League00001010
2018–19Premier League00000000
2019–20Premier League00000000
2020–21Premier League0000000000
Total0000100010
Peterborough United (loan)2018–19League One8000000080
2019–20League One243001010263
Total323001010343
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2020–21Championship3712100392
Peterborough United2021–22Championship3602010390
2022–23League One301302041392
2023–24League One435403071576
Total109690601121358
Hannover 962024–252. Bundesliga000000
Career total178101118021421815

Honours

Peterborough United

2023–24[20]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed . Premier League . 2 February 2018 . 11 February 2018.
  2. Web site: Development squad . Leicester City F.C. . 24 August 2017.
  3. Web site: Josh Knight . Leicester City F.C. . 22 December 2018.
  4. News: Harborough lad Josh makes Leicester City debut . 11 January 2019 . . 24 August 2017.
  5. News: Tanner . Rob . My Leicester City-mad family were so proud of me . 11 January 2019 . Leicestershire Live . 10 November 2017.
  6. News: Sheffield United 1 4 Leicester City . 22 August 2017 . BBC Sport . 22 August 2017.
  7. News: Blackwell . Jordan . Leicester City defender Josh Knight awarded Premier League 2 player of the month . 11 January 2019 . Leicestershire Live . 11 January 2019.
  8. Web site: Posh Swoop For Foxes Defender . 31 January 2019 . Peterborough United . 31 January 2019.
  9. News: Kemble . Jamie . Leicester City starlet Josh Knight injured in Peterborough United debut . 17 February 2019 . Leicestershire Live . 16 February 2019.
  10. Web site: Knight Re-joins Posh On Season-Long Loan Deal. 2 August 2019 . Peterborough United . 2 August 2019.
  11. Web site: Peterborough United vs Sunderland on 31 Aug 19 . 4 September 2019 . Peterborough United . 31 August 2019.
  12. Web site: Josh Knight rides in.
  13. News: Blues secure Knight loan extension . Wycombe Wanderers FC . 7 January 2021.
  14. Web site: Wycombe 4–1 Preston . 9 January 2021 . BBC Sport . 15 February 2021 .
  15. News: Richings . James . Josh Knight wins Wycombe's Player of the Season award . 11 May 2021 . Bucks Free Press . 6 May 2021.
  16. Web site: Josh Knight Signs for Peterborough United. www.lcfc.com. 2 July 2021. 10 June 2024.
  17. Web site: Posh Announce Retained List. www.theposh.com. 13 May 2024. 10 June 2024.
  18. Web site: Peterborough United defender understood to have received an offer from an overseas club and reports suggest it's a Bundesliga team. Peterborough Telegraph. Swann. Alan. 19 May 2024. 10 June 2024.
  19. Web site: ABLÖSEFREI VON DER INSEL: Hannover 96 verpflichtet Josh Knight. FREE TRANSFER FROM THE ISLAND: Hannover 96 signs Josh Knight. German. www.hannover96.de. 11 June 2024. 11 June 2024.
  20. News: Peterborough United 2–1 Wycombe Wanderers . Chris . Harby . BBC Sport . 7 April 2024 . 7 April 2024.