Nathan Wood (footballer, born 2002) explained

Nathan Wood
Fullname:Nathan Dean Joshua Wood-Gordon[1]
Birth Date:31 May 2002[2]
Birth Place:Ingleby Barwick, England[3]
Height:1.88m[4]
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Southampton
Clubnumber:15
Youthclubs1:TIBS
Youthyears2:–2015
Youthclubs2:Stockton Town
Youthyears3:2015–2018
Youthclubs3:Middlesbrough
Years1:2018–2022
Clubs1:Middlesbrough
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2021
Clubs2:Crewe Alexandra (loan)
Caps2:12
Goals2:0
Years3:2021
Clubs3:Hibernian (loan)
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2022–2024
Clubs4:Swansea City
Caps4:66
Goals4:1
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Southampton
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2016–2017
Nationalteam1:England U15
Nationalyears2:2017–2018
Nationalteam2:England U16
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2018–2019
Nationalteam3:England U17
Nationalcaps3:8
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2019
Nationalteam4:England U18
Nationalcaps4:9
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2021–
Nationalteam5:England U20
Nationalcaps5:5
Nationalgoals5:0
Nationalyears6:2023–
Nationalteam6:England U21
Nationalcaps6:3
Nationalgoals6:0
Club-Update:20:49, 27 April 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:01:08, 25 March 2024 (UTC)

Nathan Dean Joshua Wood-Gordon (born 31 May 2002), known professionally as Nathan Wood, is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Southampton.

Early life

Wood is the son of former Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough player Dean Gordon.[5] He came from an athletic background, having taken part in various sporting competitions throughout 2014 and 2015.[6] [7] Prior to joining the Middlesbrough academy squad in 2015, he played for TIBS and Stockton Town.

He attended Conyers School in Yarm, this led to him featuring in the twelfth episode in the first series of the CBBC educational documentary series Our School in 2014, during this time he was in year 7, his first year in secondary school.[8]

Club career

Middlesbrough

On 1 July 2018, Wood signed professional terms with Middlesbrough.[3] He would become the club's youngest ever player to make a professional appearance, at 16 years and 72 days, replacing Daniel Ayala in an EFL Cup tie against Notts County on 14 August 2018.[9] [10]

On 1 February 2021, Wood joined League One side Crewe Alexandra on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[11] He made his Crewe debut in a 2–1 defeat at Swindon Town on 20 February 2021.[12]

On 31 August 2021, Wood moved north of the border to join Scottish Premiership club Hibernian on a season-long loan deal.[13] On 16 October 2021, Wood made his debut for Hibernian, where he played the full game in a 3–0 loss against Dundee United.[14] On 25 November 2021, it was announced that Wood had returned to parent club Middlesbrough for the remainder of his loan spell until January 2022, having only featured once for Hibs.[15]

Swansea City

On 10 June 2022, Wood joined Swansea City on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[16] Wood's new manager Russell Martin was a long-term admirer and had previously tried to sign the defender when in charge of Milton Keynes Dons.[17]

Southampton

On 5 July 2024, Wood joined Premier League club Southampton on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[18]

International career

Wood has represented England at U15, U16, U17 and U18 level.[2] [5] [19]

On 6 September 2021, Wood made his debut for the England U20s during a 6–1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park. [20]

On 28 March 2023, Wood made his England U21 debut during a 2–1 defeat to Croatia at Craven Cottage.[21]

Style of play

Wood is known to be a pacey player and has previously played as a left-midfielder as a result of this.[5] He recorded a 100m time of 13.07 seconds when he was aged 13.[7]

Career statistics

[4]

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Middlesbrough2018–19Championship0000300030
2019–20Championship1000100020
2020–21Championship4010200070
2021–22Championship0010100020
Total50207000140
Crewe Alexandra (loan)2020–21League One120000000120
Hibernian (loan)2021–22Scottish Premiership1000000010
Swansea City2022–23Championship400201000430
2023–24Championship261201000291
Total661402000721
Southampton2024–25Premier League00000000
Overall841609000991

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2019 . English Football League . 23 June 2019.
  2. Web site: Nathan Wood . https://web.archive.org/web/20200724140526/https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams/middlesbrough/nathan-wood . 24 July 2020 . Middlesbrough F.C. . 14 August 2018 . mfc.co.uk.
  3. Web site: New Intakes Boost Academy . https://web.archive.org/web/20180701193817/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/new-intakes-boost-academy . 1 July 2018 . Middlesbrough F.C. . 14 August 2018 . mfc.co.uk.
  4. Web site: N. Wood-Gordon: Summary. Perform Group. 14 August 2018. soccerway.com.
  5. Web site: Nathan Wood Has Made Everyone At Boro Take Notice . The Northern Echo . 14 August 2018 . thenorthernecho.co.uk.
  6. Web site: Runners Profile . Run Britain . 14 August 2018 . runbritainrankings.com.
  7. Web site: Nathan Wood-Gordon . thepowerof10 . 14 August 2018 . thepowerof10.info.
  8. Web site: Our School: Series 1 – Episode 12 – The Beautiful Game. YouTube. 1 August 2022.
  9. News: 15 August 2018 . Nathan Wood Becomes Boro's Youngest Ever Player . https://web.archive.org/web/20180815200609/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/nathan-wood-becomes-boros-youngest-ever-player . 15 August 2018 . 15 August 2018 . mfc.co.uk . Middlesbrough F.C..
  10. News: Middlesbrough 3–3 Notts County . bbc.co.uk . 14 August 2018 . BBC Sport . 14 August 2018.
  11. Web site: Nathan Wood: Crewe Alexandra sign Middlesbrough centre-back on loan . BBC Sport . 1 February 2021 . 2 February 2021.
  12. News: Swindon Town 2–1 Crewe Alexandra . 23 February 2021 . BBC Sport . 20 February 2021.
  13. Web site: 31 August 2021 . Nathan Wood Joins Hibernian On Loan . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329161843/https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/nathan-wood-joins-hibernian-on-loan . 29 March 2023 . www.hibernianfc.co.uk.
  14. Web site: Hibernian 0–3 Dundee United. bbc.co.uk. Andrew. Southwick. 16 October 2021. 16 October 2021.
  15. Web site: 25 November 2021 . Nathan Wood Returns To Middlesbrough . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329161847/https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/nathan-wood-returns-to-middlesbrough . 29 March 2023 . 25 November 2021 . Hibernian FC.
  16. Web site: Nathan Wood seals Swansea City transfer. www.swanseacity.com. 10 June 2022. 11 June 2022.
  17. Web site: Nathan Wood signing ends two-year pursuit for Swansea City boss Russell Martin. www.swanseacity.com. 10 June 2022. 11 June 2022.
  18. Web site: 5 July 2024 . Wood joins as latest summer signing . 5 July 2024 . Southampton FC.
  19. Web site: Walker Bags Winner For Young Lions . Middlesbrough F.C. . mfc.co.uk . 11 September 2018.
  20. Web site: Six at SGP for MU20s. 2021-09-06. EnglandFootball.com. en.
  21. Web site: Report: England MU21s 1–2 Croatia. 2023-03-30. EnglandFootball.com. en.