Shola Shoretire Explained

Shola Shoretire
Full Name:Shola Maxwell Shoretire[1]
Birth Date:2 February 2004
Birth Place:Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Height:1.7m (05.6feet)[2]
Position:Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub:PAOK
Clubnumber:47
Youthclubs1:Whitley Bay Boys Club
Youthclubs2:Newcastle City Juniors
Youthclubs3:Wallsend Boys Club
Youthclubs4:Hebburn & Cramlington Juniors
Youthclubs5:Newcastle United
Youthclubs6:Sunderland
Youthyears7:2011–2012
Youthclubs7:Manchester City
Youthyears8:2013–2021
Youthclubs8:Manchester United
Years1:2021–2024
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2023
Clubs2:Bolton Wanderers (loan)
Caps2:16
Goals2:1
Years3:2024–
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2019
Nationalteam1:England U15
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2021
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2021
Nationalcaps4:4
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:22:47, 31 October 2023 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:22:24, 6 September 2022 (UTC)

Shola Maxwell Shoretire (born 2 February 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder, or winger for Super League Greece club PAOK.

Shoretire was a part of Manchester United's youth system from a young age and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in the 2020–21 season. He signed his first professional contract in February 2021, at the age of 17, and made his first-team debut later that month in a Premier League game against Newcastle United. He holds the record as the youngest player to represent Manchester United in European competition.

Shoretire has played youth international football for England at under-15, under-16, under-18, and under-19 levels. He is also eligible to represent Nigeria at international level.

Club career

Early career

As a child, Shoretire played with Whitley Bay Boys Club, Newcastle City Juniors, Wallsend Boys Club, Hebburn Town and Cramlington Juniors.[3] He was also briefly part of Manchester City's youth setup, but left to join rivals Manchester United at the age of nine.[4]

Manchester United

Shoretire quickly rose through the youth ranks of the Red Devils, frequently playing a year up his own age. In December 2018, he became the youngest ever player to appear in the UEFA Youth League at the age of 14 years and 314 days.[5] In 2020, after impressing with the under-18s, Neil Wood, coach of the under-23s, handed him his under-23s debut when he was just 16. He scored a hat-trick in a 6–4 win for the under-23s against Blackburn Rovers in February 2021.

Shoretire signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on 8 February 2021, a week after turning 17. On 21 February 2021, he made his first-team debut for United as an 88th-minute substitute for Marcus Rashford in a 3–1 home league win over Newcastle United.[6] Four days later, he became United's youngest player to make an appearance in a European competition, coming on as a substitute for Mason Greenwood in a 0–0 home draw against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League at the age of 17 years and 23 days, beating the record set by Norman Whiteside 38 years earlier by 108 days.[7] For his performances with the youth teams, Shoretire was named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for 2020–21.[8]

Loan to Bolton

On 19 January 2023, Shoretire officially joined EFL League One club Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.[9] [10] He was cup-tied as Bolton went on to win the 2022–23 EFL Trophy.[11] On 7 May 2023, he scored his first league goal in senior football, scoring the first goal in a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers.[12]

On 5 June 2024, Manchester United said it was in talks with the player about a new contract.[13]

PAOK

On 30 July 2024, Shoretire signed with Super League Greece club PAOK on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Manchester United.[14]

International career

As Shoretire was born in England to an English father and Nigerian mother, he is eligible to represent both nations at international level.

He made one appearance for the England under-15 team, in a friendly against Belgium in February 2019.[15] He made two appearances for the England under-16 team in August 2019, against Denmark and the Republic of Ireland.[16] On 29 March 2021, Shoretire made his debut and only appearance for the England under-18 team during a 2–0 away victory over Wales at the Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff.[15] [17]

On 2 September 2021, Shoretire made his debut for England at under-19 level during a 2–0 victory over Italy at St. George's Park.[18] He has made four appearances for the under-19 team.[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U212020–212020
2021–222020
2022–233131
2023–243232
Total103103
Manchester United2020–21Premier League2000001030
2021–22Premier League1000001020
2022–23Premier League0000000000
Total3000002050
Bolton Wanderers (loan)2022–23EFL League One16100161
Career total191000020103314

Honours

Manchester United

Individual

2020–21

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed . Premier League . 20 October 2020 . 21 February 2021 .
  2. Web site: Shola Shoretire Profile, News & Stats. premierleague.com. 1 July 2021.
  3. Web site: Mitten. Andy. Shola Shoretire: The record-breaking Manchester United 'craftsman' being watched closely by Solskjaer. 21 May 2021. The Athletic.
  4. Web site: Shola Shoretire signs first professional contract . ManUtd.com . 21 May 2021 .
  5. News: 2018-12-12. Manchester United: Shola Shoretire becomes youngest Uefa Youth League player. BBC Sport. 21 May 2021.
  6. News: Magowan . Alistair . Manchester United 3-1 Newcastle United: Marcus Rashford plays key role in home win . BBC Sport . 21 February 2021 . 21 February 2021 .
  7. News: Simon . Stone . Manchester United 0-0 Real Sociedad (Agg 4-0): Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side advance in Europa League . BBC Sport . 25 February 2021 . 25 February 2021 .
  8. Web site: Shoretire wins Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year. 21 May 2021. ManUtd.com.
  9. News: Shoretire seals loan switch. ManUtd.com . Manchester United . Adam . Marshall. 19 January 2023. 19 January 2023 .
  10. Web site: 19 January 2023 . Wanderers Secure Shola Signing . 19 January 2023 . BWFC.co.uk . Bolton Wanderers. Pete. Oliver. en-GB.
  11. News: Evatt: Football Always Gives You Opportunities . bwfc.co.uk . 20 February 2023 . 3 April 2023.
  12. Web site: Bristol Rovers 2-3 Bolton Wanderers . BBC Sport . 7 May 2023 . en . 7 May 2023 .
  13. Web site: United announce official retained list . 2024-06-05 . www.manutd.com . en.
  14. Web site: Shola Shoretire joins PAOK . . 31 July 2024 . 30 July 2024 . live.
  15. Web site: S. Shoretire. besoccer.com. 6 September 2022.
  16. Web site: Ireland U16: Six goals as Ireland draw with England. 22 August 2019. 11 March 2021. Football Association of Ireland.
  17. Web site: TWO SECOND-HALF GOALS SEAL WIN FOR ENGLAND MEN'S UNDER-18S OVER WALES IN CARDIFF. TheFA.com. 29 March 2021. 29 March 2021.
  18. Web site: England MU19s 2-0 Italy. 3 September 2021. EnglandFootball.com.
  19. News: Simon . Stone . Villarreal 1-1 Manchester United (11-10 on pens): David de Gea spot kick saved in epic Europa League final shootout . BBC Sport . 26 May 2021 . 26 May 2021 .