Ché Adams

Adams was born in Leicester,{{Hugman|26481|Che Adams|access-date=4 June 2020}} where he played football as a youngster for Highfield Rangers. He joined Coventry City's youth academy as a seven-year-old, and was released at fourteen.{{cite news |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-city-academy-reject-who-8684888 |title=The Coventry City Academy reject who could come back to haunt them on Saturday |first=Aidan |last=McCartney |newspaper=Coventry Telegraph |date=20 February 2015 |access-date=14 September 2017}} He then played youth football for Leicester club St Andrews{{cite web |url=https://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/standrews/63534/Players/view/1509893 |title=Under 15's: Che Adams |publisher=St Andrews F.C. |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915113459/https://www.clubwebsite.com/standrews/63534/Players/view/1509893 |archive-date=15 September 2017}} before joining Oadby Town in 2012. Initially playing for their youth team, Adams soon moved into the first team;{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oadbytown/news/former-oadby-youngster-turns-pro-1330480.html |title=Former Oadby youngster turns pro |first=Owen |last=Jones |publisher=Oadby Town F.C. |date=15 November 2014 |access-date=14 September 2017}} over the 2012–13 season, the sixteen-year-old made 33 appearances for Oadby in the United Counties League, of which 27 were in the starting eleven, and scored five goals.For United Counties League and Knockout Cup: {{cite web |url=https://fulltime-league.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort=&teamID=&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=2&personID=528763406&selectedSeasonID=947996238 |title=Uhlsport United Counties League 2012–13: Che Adams player stats |website=fulltime-league.thefa.com |access-date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324150803/https://fulltime-league.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort=&teamID=&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=2&personID=528763406&selectedSeasonID=947996238 |archive-date=24 March 2021 |url-status=live}}

Adams took up a scholarship with Ilkeston's academy,{{cite news |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/interview-che-adams-the-ilkeston-star-catching-many-an-eye-1-6948745 |title=Interview: Che Adams – the Ilkeston star catching many an eye |first=Mark |last=Duffy |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915023553/https://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/interview-che-adams-the-ilkeston-star-catching-many-an-eye-1-6948745 |archive-date=15 September 2017}} and helped their team win their section of the Football Conference Youth Alliance and reach the second round proper of the 2013–14 FA Youth Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_282_2013-14 |title=2013/14 |website=ilsonfootball.co.uk |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629001138/http://www.ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_282_2013-14 |archive-date=29 June 2017}} He was also playing first-team football in the Northern Premier League. Making his debut on 13 October as a very late substitute in a 3–2 win away to Stocksbridge Park Steels,{{cite web |url=http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/ |title=Home: 2014/15 pen pics |website=ilsonfootball.co.uk |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221044310/http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/ |archive-date=21 February 2016}} Adams made his first league start in November, was sent off for elbowing an opponent on Boxing Day,{{cite web |url=http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/match/1636/ |title=Worksop Town FC vs Ilkeston FC |publisher=Worksop Town F.C. |date=26 December 2013 |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915070058/http://www.worksoptownfc.co.uk/match/1636/ |archive-date=15 September 2017}} scored his first senior goal for the club to complete a 3–1 win away to Ashton United on 5 April{{snd}}he "picked up a loose ball and made a fine run through midfield and provided a left foot finish despite [the goalkeeper's] best effort to make the block"{{cite web |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ashtonunited/teams/320/match-centre/1-793676/report |title=Ashton make life hard for expectant fans |first=Steve |last=Hobson |publisher=Ashton United F.C. |date=5 April 2014 |access-date=24 March 2021}}{{snd}}and finished his season with the Derbyshire Senior Cup final, in which he was fouled for the penalty kick that made sure of Ilkeston's victory.{{cite news |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/report-slideshow-dsc-final-ilkeston-fc-2-0-glossop-ne-1-6587692 |title=Report/slideshow – DSC Final: Ilkeston FC 2–0 Glossop NE |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |first=Mark |last=Duffy |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707224459/http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/report-slideshow-dsc-final-ilkeston-fc-2-0-glossop-ne-1-6587692 |archive-date=7 July 2019}}

After Adams began 2014–15 in impressive fashion{{snd}}introduced after 64 minutes of the second match of the season, "his pace, power and energy scar[ed] the life out of Stourbridge for the remainder of the game" as he provided two assists and was fouled for a penalty,{{cite news |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/report-slideshow-ilkeston-fc-3-4-stourbridge-1-6793672 |title=Report/slideshow: Ilkeston FC 3–4 Stourbridge |first=Mark |last=Duffy |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=19 August 2014 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918201815/https://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/report-slideshow-ilkeston-fc-3-4-stourbridge-1-6793672 |archive-date=18 September 2017}} before scoring twice in the next match, against Trafford{{cite web |url=http://www.ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_283_2014-15 |title=2014/15 |website=ilsonfootball.co.uk |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629002515/http://ilsonfootball.co.uk/index.php?p=1_283_2014-15 |archive-date=29 June 2017}}{{snd}}Ilkeston signed him to a one-year contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/august-2014.ashx |title=List of players under written contract registered between 01/08/2014 and 31/08/2014 |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819090339/http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/august-2014.ashx |archive-date=19 August 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/che-adams-huddersfield-town-linked-8103367 |title=Che Adams: Huddersfield Town linked with non-league star but Newcastle United, Norwich City and Sunderland said to be circling |first=Doug |last=Thomson |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=13 November 2014 |access-date=24 March 2021}} He continued in similar vein: away to Stamford, Ilkeston's first and third goals were scored on the rebound when Adams' shots were parried, he was fouled for the free kick that led to the second, and "picked the ball up 35 yards out, beat a defender with ease and slid the ball home" to complete a 4–0 win;{{cite news |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/video-feature-ilkeston-fc-s-most-memorable-games-1-7626497 |title=Video feature: Ilkeston FC's most memorable games |first=Mark |last=Duffy |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=15 December 2015 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918154411/https://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/video-feature-ilkeston-fc-s-most-memorable-games-1-7626497 |archive-date=18 September 2017}} against Ashton United and FC United of Manchester, he used strength and pace to take the ball from his own half to score;{{cite news |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/pick-that-out-here-s-our-top-ten-ilkeston-fc-goals-1-7702456 |title=Pick that out! Here's our top ten Ilkeston FC goals |first=Mark |last=Duffy |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017}} and by the end of October, when 45 scouts were reported to be watching him score his ninth goal of the season to add to eleven assists,{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-a-revolution-of-youth-the-story-of-che-adams-rise-to-the-blades-told-by-the-man-who-knows-him-best-1-6964327 |title=Sheffield United: A revolution of youth: The story of Che Adams' rise to the Blades, told by the man who knows him best |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131081615/http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-a-revolution-of-youth-the-story-of-che-adams-rise-to-the-blades-told-by-the-man-who-knows-him-best-1-6964327 |archive-date=31 January 2015}} Ilkeston's chairman was resigned to his departure.

On 14 November 2014, Sheffield United of League One beat off competition from clubs in higher divisions to sign Adams on a two-year deal. The fee was officially undisclosed,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30055438 |title=Sheffield United: Che Adams joins Blades from Ilkeston |website=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2014 |access-date=24 March 2021}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20141114-che-adams-2084181.aspx |title=Blades land non-league star |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=14 November 2014 |access-date=16 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530013931/http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20141114-che-adams-2084181.aspx |archive-date=30 May 2016}} but the Sheffield Star reported it as a six-figure deal,{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-beat-off-premier-league-competition-to-sign-ilkeston-starlet-che-adams-1-6953957 |title=Sheffield United beat off Premier League competition to sign Ilkeston starlet Che Adams |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=15 November 2014 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220045407/http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheff-utd/sheffield-united-beat-off-premier-league-competition-to-sign-ilkeston-starlet-che-adams-1-6953957 |archive-date=20 December 2014}} and the Ilkeston club confirmed "a substantial up-front payment in non-league terms{{snd}}plus a percentage of any sell-on fee."{{cite web |url=http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/blades-clinch-adams-deal |title=Blades clinch Adams deal |publisher=Ilkeston F.C. |date=14 November 2014 |access-date=16 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915201140/http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/blades-clinch-adams-deal |archive-date=15 September 2016}} Adams made his professional senior debut on 16 December in a 1–0 home victory over Southampton, replacing Jamal Campbell-Ryce at half-time as United made it to the semi-finals of the League Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/16/sheffield-united-southampton-capital-one-cup-match-report |title=Sheffield United sink Southampton thanks to Marc McNulty's goal |first=Richard |last=Gibson |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=16 December 2014 |access-date=18 September 2017}} Four days later, he made both his first career start and his first Football League appearance in a 1–1 draw with Walsall at Bramall Lane.

In the League Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham Hotspur on 28 January 2015 at Bramall Lane, Adams replaced Campbell-Ryce after 74 minutes. Five minutes later he had scored his first goals for Sheffield United with two goals in just over two minutes, which would have taken the game to extra time had Christian Eriksen not scored for Tottenham Hotspur in the 88th minute to win 3–2 on aggregate.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30910040 |title=Sheffield United 2–2 Tottenham Hotspur (agg 2–3) |first=Tom |last=Rostance |website=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2015 |access-date=18 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/league-cup/11375619/Sheffield-United-2-Tottenham-Hotspur-2-2-3-on-agg-Christian-Eriksen-double-sends-Spurs-to-Wembley.html |title=Sheffield United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2 (2–3 on agg): Christian Eriksen double sends Spurs to Wembley |first=Henry |last=Winter |website=The Telegraph |location=London |date=28 January 2015 |access-date=24 March 2021}} Adams made ten appearances as Sheffield United finished the season in the League One play-off places. In the play-off semi-final second leg away to Swindon Town on 11 May, he replaced Ryan Flynn for the final five minutes and scored an equaliser for a 5–5 draw, but his team lost 7–6 on aggregate.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32579316 |title=Swindon Town 5–5 Sheffield United (7–6 agg) |last=Hassan |first=Nabil |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2015 |access-date=18 September 2017}}

Adams scored for the first time in the league on 15 August 2015, with both goals in a 2–0 win at home to Chesterfield which was Sheffield United's first win of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33831839 |title=Sheffield United 2–0 Chesterfield |website=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2015 |access-date=16 August 2015}} Ten days later, he signed a new three-year deal at United with the option of an extra year.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34051143 |title=Che Adams: Sheffield United striker signs new contract |website=BBC Sport |date=25 August 2015 |access-date=25 August 2015}} On 10 October, Adams scored twice in the first half of a 3–2 win over Rochdale, and ten days later he got another brace to defeat Fleetwood Town 3–0, opening the scoring after 54 seconds.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34512681 |title=Sheffield United 3–0 Fleetwood Town |website=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2015 |access-date=21 October 2015}} He was given a straight red card on 5 December in the second round of the FA Cup, for a foul on Liam Kelly in a 1–0 win at Oldham Athletic.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34950937 |title=Oldham Athletic 1–0 Sheffield United |website=BBC Sport |date=5 December 2015 |access-date=5 December 2015}} Adams established himself as a regular in the team, partnering striker Billy Sharp,{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-young-che-reveals-campbell-ryce-s-key-role-1-7788151 |title=Sheffield United: Young Che reveals Campbell-Ryce's key role |first=James |last=Shield |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=11 March 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/blades-show-what-they-re-capable-of-sheffield-united-2-walsall-0-verdict-and-reaction-1-7831318 |title=Blades show what they're capable of: Sheffield United 2 Walsall 0 verdict and reaction |first=James |last=Shield |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=4 April 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017}} but in March 2016 he was dropped to the bench by manager Nigel Adkins for not working hard in training.{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-i-won-t-quit-says-boss-1-7809933 |title=Sheffield United: 'I won't quit' says boss |first=James |last=Shield |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=22 March 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017}} He soon returned,{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-adams-offered-olive-branch-1-7816844 |title=Sheffield United: Adams offered olive branch |first=James |last=Shield |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=25 March 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921000428/http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-adams-offered-olive-branch-1-7816844 |archive-date=21 September 2017 |url-status=dead }} finished the season with 12 goals from 41 appearances in all competitions, 11 from 36 in League One, and was named by the Sheffield Star as its Young Player of the Year.{{cite news |date=4 May 2016 |title=The Star Football Awards: The big winners on a glitzy night celebrating our teams |newspaper=Sheffield Star |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/the-star-football-awards-the-big-winners-on-a-glitzy-night-celebrating-our-teams-1-7891007 |access-date=18 September 2017}}

Amid considerable transfer speculation, Adams played in Sheffield United's opening fixture of the 2016–17 season, but a bid was accepted from Championship club Birmingham City shortly afterwards,{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/breaking-sheffield-united-forward-che-adams-set-to-sign-for-birmingham-city-1-8056431 |title=Sheffield United forward Che Adams set to sign for Birmingham City |first=James |last=Shield |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=8 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811195305/http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-forward-che-adams-set-to-sign-for-birmingham-city-1-8056431 |archive-date=11 August 2016}} and he signed a three-year contract with the club on 8 August 2016. The fee was undisclosed,{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/official-che-adams-joins-blues-3234399.aspx |title=Official: Che Adams joins Blues |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=8 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127025911/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/official-che-adams-joins-blues-3234399.aspx |archive-date=27 January 2017}} although the Sheffield Star reported it to be around £2 million, and that United had turned down deals valued at £1.2 million and £1.7 million.{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-why-the-blades-agreed-to-let-che-adams-join-birmingham-city-1-8057595 |title=Sheffield United: Why the Blades agreed to let Che Adams join Birmingham City |first=James |last=Shield |newspaper=Sheffield Star |date=9 August 2016 |access-date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815084338/http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-united-why-the-blades-agreed-to-let-che-adams-join-birmingham-city-1-8057595 |archive-date=15 August 2016}} Publicity surrounding the deal caused problems for the Ilkeston club: creditors believing that Ilkeston would benefit by an estimated £300,000 called in their debts, and when no payment was immediately forthcoming, the Northern Premier League suspended the club until the debts were settled, causing the postponement of their first four league fixtures.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/16769/ilkeston-must-pay-creditors-after-adams-seals-blues-move/ |title=Ilkeston must pay creditors after Adams seals Blues move |first=Sam |last=Elliott |newspaper=The Non-League Paper |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-ilkeston-fc-have-suspension-lifted-by-northern-premier-league-1-8090452 |title=Breaking: Ilkeston FC have suspension lifted by Northern Premier League |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=26 August 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/duffers-diaries-ilkeston-saga-leaves-a-bitter-taste-and-reflects-badly-on-the-npl-1-8109717 |title=Ilkeston saga leaves a bitter taste – and reflects badly on the NPL |first=Mark |last=Duffy |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=7 September 2016 |access-date=18 September 2017}}

File:Tom Cairney (Fulham FC) (29559410046).jpg in 2016]]

Adams made his Birmingham debut on 16 August, as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw away to Wigan Athletic. He started the next match, at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers four days later, and opened the scoring with a low angled shot across the goalkeeper; he played 61 minutes, by which time manager Gary Rowett thought he "looked like he had run out of steam", as Birmingham went on to lose 3–1.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/birmingham-city-1-wolves-3-11776956 |title=Birmingham City 1 Wolves 3: Che Adams debut goal counts for nothing in derby defeat |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 August 2016 |access-date=21 August 2016}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-boss-gary-rowett-11778053 |title=Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett explains the thinking behind his substitutions |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 August 2016 |access-date=19 September 2017}} He played regularly through the first half of the season, though often as an impact substitute, and scored twice more, both times having come off the bench: to earn a draw against Preston North End in September, and a determined late winner against Bristol City in November.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-analysis-blues-need-12375412 |title=Birmingham City analysis: Blues need closure after difficult period; Adams deserves a chance; Gleeson proving a vital cog |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=27 December 2016 |access-date=19 September 2017 |quote=Just as he did under Gary Rowett, the former Sheffield United youngster came off the bench to really good effect.}}{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-boss-gary-rowett-11948134 |title=Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett explains what he told Che Adams |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=27 September 2016 |access-date=19 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/birmham-vs-bristol-c/358303 |title=Birmingham 1–0 Bristol City: Che Adams seals win for Blues |agency=PA Sport |website=Sky Sports |date=19 November 2016 |access-date=1 January 2017}} He returned to the starting eleven for a 4–0 defeat away at Newcastle United in December, in which his hesitancy in a defensive situation led to the second goal,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/newcastle-united-4-birmingham-city-12301922 |title=Newcastle United 4 Birmingham City 0 |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 December 2016 |access-date=19 September 2017}} but was back on the bench for the next fixture, after which Rowett was sacked. The Birmingham Mail suggested that the owners were "disgruntled" that several of Rowett's purchases, Adams included, were not regularly starting matches.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-new-manager-gianfranco-12323224 |title=Birmingham City new manager Gianfranco Zola is a bold appointment by Trillion Trophy Asia |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=14 December 2016 |access-date=19 September 2017}}

Adams scored his first goal for three months in a losing cause away to Preston in mid-February, and was influential as Birmingham beat Wolves a few days later.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-three-players-crucial-12660167 |title=Birmingham City: The three players crucial in the win over Wolves |first=Joseph |last=Chapman |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=19 September 2017}} Gianfranco Zola, Rowett's successor, had recognised the player's potential from the start, but was unsure of his best position.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-how-che-adams-12389115 |title=Birmingham City: How Che Adams impressed Gianfranco Zola |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=31 December 2016 |access-date=19 September 2017}} As results failed to improve, Zola experimented with formations and personnel: he alternated Adams and Lukas Jutkiewicz as lone striker, and once Clayton Donaldson returned to fitness, there was a short spell when Adams was not used at all. He started the visit to Brighton & Hove Albion, playing just behind Donaldson, and scored a goal that both he and the Mail hoped would keep him in the team.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gianfranco-zola-says-birmingham-city-12785735 |title=Gianfranco Zola says this Birmingham City player's return is 'like a new signing' |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=23 March 2017 |access-date=19 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-che-adams-hopefully-12850241 |title=Birmingham City's Che Adams: 'Hopefully this gets me on the team-sheet' |first=Mat |last=Kendrick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=5 April 2017 |access-date=19 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-analysis-che-adams-12848015 |title=Birmingham City analysis: Why Che Adams needs more games – and Cheick Keita could do with less |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=5 April 2017 |access-date=19 September 2017}}

With three matches left in the season, and relegation increasingly likely, Zola quit, to be replaced by Harry Redknapp. In the penultimate match, at home to Huddersfield Town, Adams was fouled for a penalty that Jutkiewicz missed, and was then sent off after 23 minutes for a two-footed tackle.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/29/birmingham-city-huddersfield-town-championship-match-report |title=Harry Redknapp's 10-man Birmingham City sink Huddersfield |first=Peter |last=Lansley |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=29 April 2017 |access-date=18 September 2017}} Birmingham still won, and the red card was rescinded on appeal, making him available for the final fixture, away to Bristol City, which Birmingham had to win to be sure of staying up.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39792127 |title=Che Adams: Birmingham City win appeal over striker's red card |website=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2017 |access-date=18 September 2017}} After 16 minutes, Jutkiewicz played Adams through; he held off the defence and placed a low shot past the goalkeeper for the only goal of the game.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bristol-city-0-birmingham-city-1-championship-relegation-league-one-harry-redknapp-che-adams-goal-a7722711.html |title=Harry Redknapp jumps for joy as Birmingham narrowly beat Bristol to avoid dropping into League One |first=Rob |last=Stewart |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=7 May 2017 |access-date=18 September 2017}} He appeared in 40 of a possible 44 league matches and scored 7 goals, some way short of the target of 15 that he had set himself, but his contribution over the campaign{{snd}}he also made three assists and won "nearly twice as many" penalties{{snd}}earned him the club's Young Player of the Season award.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/che-adams-keen-to-kick-on-after-fine-first-season/ |title=Che Adams keen to 'kick on' after fine first season |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=10 July 2017 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920143036/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2017/che-adams-keen-to-kick-on-after-fine-first-season/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/che-adams-what-birmingham-city-11723039 |title=Che Adams: This is what the Birmingham City striker thinks about the season ahead, and reveals his target for the season |first=Steve |last=Wollaston |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=9 August 2016 |access-date=19 September 2017}}

Considerable transfer speculation surrounded Adams during the summer window.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-premier-league-transfers-13199156 |title=Birmingham City: Premier League and Championship clubs tracking Blues forward |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=17 June 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017}} It was reported that Derby County, managed by Gary Rowett, had a £3 million offer rejected and that the club turned down bids from Fulham first of £5 million and then, on deadline day, of £10 million.{{cite news |url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-target-che-adams-304249 |title=Derby County target Che Adams on the transfer speculation linking him away from Birmingham City |first=Jonny |last=Bonell |newspaper=Derby Telegraph |date=9 August 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-transfer-news-blues-13350622 |title=Birmingham City transfer news: Blues set to reward star with new deal |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=18 July 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/transfers-birmingham-city-redknapp-adams-13632678 |title=Transfers: Harry Redknapp reveals the side who offered Birmingham City £10m for Che Adams |first=Joseph |last=Chapman |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=17 September 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017}} In September, he signed a five-year contract on improved terms.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-reward-star-attacker-13587672 |title=Birmingham City reward star attacker with new long-term contract |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=7 September 2016 |access-date=20 September 2017}} On the field, Adams began the 2017–18 season with his first senior hat-trick, against Crawley Town in the EFL Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40785773 |title=Birmingham City 5–1 Crawley Town |website=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2017 |access-date=27 March 2017}} In his next match, he injured a hamstring, and in his second match back, a month later, he damaged his other hamstring.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/harry-redknapp-bemoans-injuries-birmingham-13612996 |title=Harry Redknapp bemoans injuries to Birmingham City pair in Leeds United defeat |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 September 2017 |access-date=20 September 2017}} He returned to the team to give Steve Cotterill a winning start as Birmingham manager at home to league-leaders Cardiff City on 13 October. According to BBC Sport's reporter, he "opted to take on the visiting defence single-handed. He put his head down and ran, slicing his way past four men in red before cutting inside to drill a low, curled right-foot shot which nutmegged Morrison before finding the right corner";{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41520854 |title=Birmingham City 1–0 Cardiff City |first=Ged |last=Scott |website=BBC Sport |date=13 October 2017 |access-date=14 October 2017}} Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said that Adams' kick to an opponent's head while attempting a defensive clearance should have resulted in a penalty.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-warnock-fumes-referee-joe-13760905 |title=Neil Warnock fumes with referee for Joe Bennett penalty decision in Cardiff City's loss to Birmingham |first=Chris |last=Wathan |website=Wales Online |date=13 October 2017 |access-date=29 January 2019}} After Adams' winning goal against Nottingham Forest in November, Birmingham's assistant manager, Lee Carsley, praised his finishing while reminding him that he needed to get into goalscoring positions more often.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/birmham-vs-n-forest/374811 |title=Birmingham 1–0 Nottingham Forest: Che Adams lifts Blues out of bottom three |website=Sky Sports |date=18 November 2017 |access-date=29 January 2019}} He missed most of December with yet another hamstring injury, and Cotterill used him mainly from the bench when he did return.{{cite news |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/steve-cotterill-steady-does-it-for-che/ |title=Steve Cotterill – Steady does it for Che |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=4 January 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130000411/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/steve-cotterill-steady-does-it-for-che/ |url-status=dead }}

With the team struggling at the foot of the table, Cotterill was replaced as manager by Garry Monk, who brought both Adams and Jutkiewicz back into the starting eleven in a 4–4–2 formation.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43473307 |title=Birmingham City: Blues rewarded for more attacking outlook, says Jutkiewicz |website=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/key-moments-birmingham-citys-win-14562008 |title=The key moments in Birmingham City's win over Sheffield United which outlines their never-say-die attitude |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=22 April 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blues-redknapp-cotterill-monk-birmingham-14634620 |title=From hope to despair to relief: The joys and sorrows of Birmingham City's rollercoaster season |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 May 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019}} The pairing was disrupted by Adams' red card at Bolton{{snd}}this time not rescinded on appeal{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/11317672/che-adams-three-match-ban-upheld-as-birmingham-appeal-turned-down |title=Che Adams' three-match ban upheld as Birmingham appeal turned down |first=James |last=Dale |website=Sky Sports |date=5 April 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019}}{{snd}} but he returned to provide the assist for Jacques Maghoma's winning goal against Sheffield United and a goal in the final fixture against Fulham as Birmingham's safety was confirmed.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43938848 |title=Birmingham City 3–1 Fulham |website=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019}} He finished the season as Birmingham's top scorer, albeit with just 9 goals, including the hat-trick against Crawley.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/jacques-maghoma-bagged-a-brace-at-the-awards-evening/ |title=Jacques Maghoma bagged a brace at the Awards Evening! |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=8 May 2018 |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328132158/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/jacques-maghoma-bagged-a-brace-at-the-awards-evening/ |url-status=dead }}

Ahead of the coming campaign, he chose to take over the vacant squad number 9.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/blues-squad-numbers-201819/ |title=Blues squad numbers 2018/19 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=3 August 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328164738/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/blues-squad-numbers-201819/ |url-status=dead }} Still in partnership with Jutkiewicz, Adams made a slow start: he scored both goals in a 2–1 win away to Leeds United, but still only had three by mid-October.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/che-adams-transfer-birmingham-city-15882543 |title=This is undoubtedly Garry Monk's biggest Birmingham City success story |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=25 February 2019 |access-date=28 March 2019}} He then went on a run and had ten by mid-December. Monk highlighted the growing relationship between the pair.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/garry-monk-hails-developing-strike-partnership/ |title=Garry Monk hails developing strike partnership |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=26 October 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328132201/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/garry-monk-hails-developing-strike-partnership/ |url-status=dead }} Adams attributed his improvement to intensive coaching from former striker James Beattie, to improved fitness training that meant he still felt strong in the later stages of a match, and to a reminder from the manager before the visit to Leeds that "he wanted that fire in my belly and just be hungrier and be a nuisance for other people."{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-adams-leeds-united-15365405 |title=Che Adams reveals the secret behind the best form of his Birmingham City career |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=3 November 2018 |access-date=28 March 2019}} According to Jutkiewicz, "it comes with growing up, he's got more of that steel about him and wants to physically impose himself on opponents and you can see that difference."{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-star-says-what-15574315 |title=Birmingham City star says what we've all been thinking about Che Adams |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=19 December 2018 |access-date=28 March 2019}}

There was considerable interest from Premier League clubs in January, but Birmingham did not want to sell, and no offer received was considered enough to force their hand given that the player could neither be replaced nor loaned back because of signing restrictions imposed by the EFL because the club were in breach of profitability and sustainability (P&S) rules. A bid of £12 million from Burnley was the highest reported.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12691/11623451/burnley-have-fourth-che-adams-bid-turned-down-by-birmingham-city |title=Burnley have fourth Che Adams bid turned down by Birmingham City |website=Sky Sports |date=31 January 2019 |access-date=18 March 2019}} The Times suggested that the refusal to sell might constitute a further aggravated breach of the P&S rules.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/birmingham-city-could-face-new-charge-over-che-adams-xtd0dbnd8 |title=Birmingham City could face new charge over Che Adams |first=Matt |last=Hughes |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=2 February 2019 |access-date=18 March 2019}} He had 15 goals by the end of the transfer window, and another 6 in February made him the first Birmingham player to score 20 in a season since Steve Claridge in the 1994–95 Second Division-winning season and saw him named EFL Championship Player of the Month. The citation for that award noted that "Adams has added consistency, work rate and team play to his game this season."{{cite news |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2019/che-adams-creating-history/ |title=Che Adams creating history |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=25 February 2019 |access-date=26 March 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328132200/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2019/che-adams-creating-history/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11655968/che-adams-and-chris-wilder-win-sky-bet-championship-february-awards |title=Che Adams and Chris Wilder win Sky Bet Championship February awards |website=Sky Sports |date=8 March 2019 |access-date=27 March 2019}} He was named in the EFL's Championship Team of the Season and nominated, alongside Norwich City's Teemu Pukki and Sheffield United's Billy Sharp, for their Championship Player of the Season award.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47710254 |title=EFL awards: Che Adams, Teemu Pukki & Billy Sharp on Championship shortlist |website=BBC Sport|date=26 March 2019 |access-date=28 March 2019}} Despite a goal-drought in March, Adams finished the season as Birmingham's top scorer with 22, all scored in the Championship. He won both Players' and Supporters' Player of the Year Awards at the club's presentation night, although Jutkiewicz ran him close for the supporters' award, and his goal in a 3–3 draw with Swansea City in January{{snd}}he "curled in a beauty from 20 yards" as Birmingham came from behind to take the lead{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/swansea-birmingham-city-adams-live-15746514 |title=Swansea City 3 Birmingham City 3 Report: Ten man Blues denied at the death after Che Adams stunner |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=29 January 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019}}{{snd}}was named Goal of the Season.{{cite web |date=6 May 2019 |title=Che Adams sweeps the board at Player Awards evening |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2019/che-adams-sweeps-the-board-at-player-awards-evening/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223163429/https://www.bcfc.com/content/che-adams-sweeps-the-board-at-player-awards-evening |archive-date=23 December 2021 |access-date=7 May 2019 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C.}}

On 1 July 2019, Adams joined Southampton for a fee reported to be £15 million,{{cite news |title=Che Adams: Southampton sign Birmingham forward |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48826733 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=7 July 2019 |date=1 July 2019}} signing a five-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://southamptonfc.com/news/2019-07-01/che-adams-birmingham-to-southampton-announcement-1-july-2019 |title=Saints swoop for striker Adams |publisher=Southampton F.C. |access-date=1 July 2019 |date=1 July 2019 |archive-date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701110507/https://southamptonfc.com/news/2019-07-01/che-adams-birmingham-to-southampton-announcement-1-july-2019 |url-status=dead }} Adams made his Premier League debut on 10 August in a 3–0 defeat against Burnley.{{cite news |last=Poole |first=Harry |title=Burnley 3 Southampton 0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49215985 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2020 |date=10 August 2019}} After being linked with a loan move to Leeds United as a replacement for Eddie Nketiah in the January 2020 transfer window,{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.co.uk/1518543/2020/01/09/leeds-arsenal-transfers-loans-nketiah/ |title=Arsenal performance shows how well Leeds' approach to the loan market is working – despite Nketiah frustration |last=Hay |first=Phil |website=The Athletic |access-date=12 January 2020 |date=8 January 2020 |url-access=subscription}} Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl advised that he wanted Adams to remain part of his plans.{{cite news |url=https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-leeds-transfer-news-adams-17551197 |title=Latest Leeds United transfer rumours: Southampton consider Che Adams sale, fresh striker link |last=Challies |first=Josh |website=Leeds Live |access-date=12 January 2020 |date=11 January 2020}} On 22 January 2020, with Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa making Adams his main target, Southampton rejected a third offer for Adams, the offer (believed to be a loan fee plus the option to buy Adams permanently for £20 million) was rejected.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51207871 |title=Che Adams: Southampton turn down third Leeds United bid for striker |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 January 2020 |date=22 January 2020}}

On 5 July 2020, Adams scored his first goal for Southampton, a 40-yard effort looping over the goalkeeper in a 1–0 victory over Manchester City.{{cite news |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2019-2020/adams-wondergoal-earns-saints-victory-over-wasteful-man-city_sto7792413/story.shtml |title=Che Adams wondergoal earns Saints victory over wasteful Man City |last=Hall|first=Pete |website=Eurosport |date=5 July 2020 |access-date=6 July 2020}} He scored his second two weeks later to wrap up the points in a 2–0 win away to AFC Bournemouth.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53378661 |title=AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Southampton |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |website=BBC Sport |date=19 July 2020 |access-date=24 March 2021}} He then scored twice in Southampton's 3–1 victory over his former club Sheffield United in the season finale on 26 July 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53460588 |title=Southampton 3–1 Sheffield United |last=Mann |first=Mantej |website=BBC Sport |access-date=27 July 2020 |date=26 July 2020}}

Adams scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season on 17 October 2020 in a 3–3 draw with Chelsea. His second came a week later in a 2–0 victory over Everton. On 6 November, he scored in a 2–0 win against Newcastle United. In December 2020, he scored against Sheffield United again, helping Southampton to a 3–0 victory. During a game with West Ham United, Adams was accidentally kicked in the head by Craig Dawson, which saw him miss Southampton's match with Liverpool due to concussion.{{cite news |url=https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/che-adams-oriol-romeu-southampton-4854930 |title=Why Oriol Romeu and Che Adams are missing for Southampton against Liverpool |last=Leach|first=Tom |website=HampshireLive |date=4 January 2021 |access-date=24 March 2021}} Adams did not score again until 6 March 2021, where he scored in three successive games against Sheffield United, Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.{{Cite web|last=Beardmore|first=Michael|date=14 March 2021|title=Southampton 1–2 Brighton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56247527|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320030700/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56247527 |archive-date=20 March 2021}} Adams also scored in Southampton's 3–1 victory against Crystal Palace on 11 May 2021 and then four days later in a 3–1 victory over Fulham.{{Cite web|last=Sutcliffe|first=Steve|date=11 May 2021|title=Southampton 3–1 Crystal Palace|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56699183|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513002208/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56699183 |archive-date=13 May 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Beardmore|first=Michael|date=15 May 2021|title=Southampton 3–1 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57034889|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515165808/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57034889 |archive-date=15 May 2021}}

Adams scored his first goal of the 2021–22 season on 26 October 2021 in the EFL Cup, but Southampton were knocked out after Chelsea beat them 4–3 on penalties.{{Cite web|last=Rose|first=Gary|date=26 October 2021|title=Chelsea 1–1 Southampton (4–3 penalties)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58963258|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203120039/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58963258 |archive-date=3 February 2022}} Four days later, his first Premier League goal of the season earned Southampton a 1–0 victory against Watford at Vicarage Road{{Cite web|last=Rindl|first=Joe|date=30 October 2021|title=Watford 0–1 Southampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59019335|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203121637/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59019335 |archive-date=3 February 2022}} and was nominated as a contender for Goal of the Month for October.{{Cite web|date=6 November 2021|title=Contenders for October 2021 Budweiser Goal of the Month|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2325868|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=Premier League |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104140909/https://www.premierleague.com/news/2325868 |archive-date=4 November 2021}} Adams scored in a 2–1 defeat to Norwich City on 20 November,{{Cite web|last=Poole|first=Harry|date=20 November 2021|title=Norwich City 2–1 Southampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59271460|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121022537/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59271460 |archive-date=21 November 2021}} and in a 2–2 draw with Leicester City on 1 December.{{Cite web|last=Poole|first=Harry|date=1 December 2021|title=Southampton 2–2 Leicester City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59397417|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=BBC Sport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214181540/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59397417 |archive-date=14 December 2021}} Adams was unable to face Tottenham Hotspur on 28 December after testing positive for COVID-19; the test result reached Hasenhüttl at 10pm the night before the game.{{Cite web|last=House|first=Alfie|date=28 December 2021|title=Southampton COVID/injury updates, Adams, Livramento and more|url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/19812357.southampton-covid-injury-updates-adams-livramento/|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2021|website=Daily Echo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228205905/https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/19812357.southampton-covid-injury-updates-adams-livramento/ |archive-date=28 December 2021}}

On 20 August 2022, Adams scored his first two goals of the 2022–23 season in a 1–2 victory against Leicester City after coming on as a substitute for Sékou Mara in the 59th minute.{{Cite web |last=Begley |first=Emlyn |date=20 August 2022 |title=Leicester City 1–2 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62529375 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} Three days later, Adams scored another brace in a 0–3 victory against Cambridge United in the EFL Cup.{{Cite web |date=23 August 2022 |title=Cambridge United 0–3 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62558159 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} His next goal would not come until 19 October 2022 in a 0–1 victory against Bournemouth, which helped Southampton to their first victory in six games.{{Cite web |last=Matthews |first=Callum |date=19 October 2022 |title=Bournemouth 0–1 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63224215 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} Adams scored in a 3–1 defeat to Liverpool on 12 November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Johnstone |first=Neil |date=12 November 2022 |title=Liverpool 3–1 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63523917 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} Adams scored another brace in the EFL Cup on 21 December 2022 in a 2–1 victory against Lincoln City.{{Cite web |date=21 December 2022 |title=Southampton 2-1 Lincoln: Che Adams double helps Saints book Carabao Cup last-eight spot in Nathan Jones' first home game |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12771473/southampton-2-1-lincoln-che-adams-double-helps-saints-book-carabao-cup-last-eight-spot-in-nathan-jones-first-home-game |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=Sky Sports}} On 31 January 2023, Adams scored in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United, but Southampton lost 3–1 on aggregate.{{Cite web |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=31 January 2023 |title=Newcastle United 2–1 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64382325 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} On 18 March 2023, Adams scored his final goal of the season in a 3–3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jess |date=18 March 2023 |title=Southampton 3–3 Tottenham Hotspur |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64923719 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} With Adams picking up an injury whilst on international duty, manager Rubén Sellés stated that he did expect Adams to return from injury until the end of April.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Mark |date=14 April 2023 |title=Fresh Che Adams injury update given as Southampton striker a doubt for Arsenal clash |url=https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/che-adams-injury-southampton-arsenal-8354722 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=Hampshire Live}} After featuring against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, Sellés confirmed that Adams had felt more pain in his ankle which kept him out for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Mark |date=20 May 2023 |title=Che Adams injury latest as Southampton striker faces potential Liverpool blow with ankle issue |url=https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/che-adams-southampton-liverpool-injury-8455547 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=Hampshire Live}}

On 4 August 2023, Adams scored his first goal of the season in a 1–2 victory against Sheffield Wednesday after replacing Adam Armstrong in the 79th minute.{{Cite web |last=Woodcock |first=Ian |date=4 August 2023 |title=Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66333585 |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=BBC Sport}} Despite scoring in Southampton's three opening league games of the season, he was absent from the squad during a 2–1 victory against Queens Park Rangers amid transfer speculation.{{Cite web |last=House |first=Alfie |date=26 August 2023 |title=Southampton's Martin explains Adams absence amid transfer speculation |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23749585.southamptons-martin-explains-adams-absence-amid-transfer-speculation/ |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=Southern Daily Echo}} However, Adams remained at the club following the transfer window after Southampton blocked a move.{{Cite web |last=Ornstein |first=David |date=1 September 2023 |title=Southampton block Adams loan to Wolves |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/transfer-news-deadline-day-latest-updates/Xx2FTZkPU2Lo/dDxmgBcXzcP9/ |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=The Athletic}}{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Mark |date=1 September 2023 |title=Huge Che Adams transfer update given as Southampton make decision over Wolves proposal |url=https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/transfer-news/che-adams-transfer-southampton-wolves-8721357 |access-date=18 December 2023 |website=Hampshire Live}} He ended the season with 18 goals in all competitions.

On 23 July 2024, Adams joined Italian club Torino on a three-year contract.{{Cite web |url=https://www.torinofc.it/news/23/07/2024/adams-al-toro_28977 |title=Adams al Toro |language=it |trans-title=Adams to Toro |publisher=Torino FC |date=23 July 2024 |access-date=25 August 2024}} On his second appearance in Serie A, he assisted Ivan Ilić's equalising goal and scored the winner himself as Torino beat Atalanta 2–1.{{cite web |url=https://football-italia.net/serie-a-torino-2-1-atalanta-adams-masterclass/ |title=Serie A: Torino 2–1 Atalanta: Che Adams masterclass |first=Susy |last=Campanale |website=Football Italia |date=25 August 2024 |access-date=25 August 2024}}

Adams was eligible to represent England, his country of birth, as well as Antigua and Barbuda{{snd}}his father came from Antigua{{snd}}and Scotland, via his maternal grandparents hailing from Edinburgh.[https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/19165262.steve-clarke-southampton-striker-che-adams-can-win-60-scotland-caps/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Steve Clarke: Southampton striker Che Adams can win 60 Scotland caps" glasgowtimes.co.uk Matthew Lindsay, 17 March 2021] His maternal grandmother{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A656223227/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=c25c2785 |title=Clarke set to pitch Adams straight in |newspaper=The Times |location=London |first=Michael |last=Grant |date=25 March 2021 |page=70 |access-date=12 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |via=Gale OneFile: News}} moved to Leicester in her early thirties.{{Cite news |last=Tanswell |first=Jacob |title=At home with Che Adams... talking dogs, dreams and his drive to succeed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3690188/2022/11/02/che-adams-southampton/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The New York Times |date=2 November 2022 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

He was invited to join the Antigua and Barbuda squad for Caribbean Cup qualifiers in October 2014, but declined.{{cite news |url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/ilkeston-teenager-turns-chance-play-antigua-amp/story-23054011-detail/story.html |title=Ilkeston teenager turns down chance to play for Antigua & Barbuda |newspaper=Derby Telegraph |date=7 October 2014 |access-date=27 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113194020/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Ilkeston-teenager-turns-chance-play-Antigua-amp/story-23054011-detail/story.html |archive-date=13 January 2015}} England C, the team that represents the country at semi-professional level, named Adams in the squad for an International Challenge Trophy fixture in November, but he became ineligible when he turned professional with Sheffield United.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/featured/11570/england-c-squad-for-estonia-clash-whittled-down-to-16/ |title=England C squad for Estonia clash whittled down to 16 |newspaper=The Non-League Paper |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=23 June 2021}} He was called up to the England U20 squad for two matches against the Czech Republic in early September 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/aug/27/u20s-squad-named-for-czech-republic-270815 |title=England U20s squad selected ahead of Czech test |last=Veevers |first=Nicholas |publisher=The Football Association |date=27 August 2015 |access-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115033/http://www.thefa.com/news/2015/aug/27/u20s-squad-named-for-czech-republic-270815 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |url-status=live}} He made his debut on 5 September in a 5–0 win at St George's Park, replacing Tyler Walker for the final 17 minutes,{{cite web |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/sep/05/u20s-czech-republic-sgp-050915 |title=England U20s kick-off with 5–0 win at St. George's Park |first=Nicholas |last=Veevers |publisher=The Football Association |date=5 September 2015 |access-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610200733/https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/sep/05/u20s-czech-republic-sgp-050915 |archive-date=10 June 2022 |url-status=live}} and started the second match, a 1–0 defeat.{{cite web |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/sep/07/england-u20s-czech-republic-match-report |title=England U20s fall to narrow defeat in Shrewsbury |publisher=The Football Association |date=7 September 2015 |access-date=12 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423191147/https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/sep/07/england-u20s-czech-republic-match-report |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}

Adams was approached by the Scottish Football Association in 2017, initially to consider playing for Scotland U21, and later for a senior friendly in November, but was not willing to commit himself at that time.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/che-adams-considering-international-future-13801381 |title=Che Adams considering his international future after Scotland approach |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=23 October 2018 |access-date=29 January 2019}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/malky-mackay-plotting-swoop-bring-11505909 |title=Malky Mackay plotting swoop to bring top English youngsters to Scotland cause |first=Gordon |last=Waddell |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=12 November 2017 |access-date=29 January 2019}} In March 2021, Adams committed his allegiance to Scotland, denying reports that the prospect of featuring at UEFA Euro 2020 was his sole motivation,{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/che-adams-set-scotland-call-23731876 |title=Che Adams set for Scotland call as Steve Clarke pitch convinces in-form Southampton striker to commit |first=Graeme |last=Young |newspaper=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |date=15 March 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/che-adams-scotland-euro-2020-b1820946.html |title=Che Adams denies Scotland switch down to Euro 2020 opportunity |first=Jack |last=Rathborn |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=23 March 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021}} and was called up for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Austria, Israel and the Faroe Islands.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56412965 |title=Che Adams called up to Scotland squad for World Cup qualifiers |website=BBC Sport |date=16 March 2021 |accessdate=16 March 2021}} He made his debut as a second-half substitute on 25 March against Austria,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56438742 |title=Scotland 2–2 Austria |first=Andrew |last=Southwick |website=BBC Sport |date=25 March 2021 |access-date=26 March 2021}} and scored his first goal for Scotland six days later in a 4–0 victory over the Faroe Islands.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/03/31/scotland-vs-faroe-islands-world-cup-2022-qualifier-live-score/ |title=Che Adams scores first international goal as Scotland put four past the Faroe Islands |last1=Forsyth |first1=Roddy |last2=Bull |first2=J. J. |work=The Telegraph |date=31 March 2021 |access-date=1 April 2021}} Adams was named in the 26-man squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 competition,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57171330 |title=Euro 2020: Billy Gilmour, David Turnbull & Nathan Patterson in Scotland squad |website=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2021 |access-date=23 June 2021}} He played in all three of Scotland's group matches, starting twice, and became the first non-white footballer to play for the Scotland men's senior team in the finals of a major tournament.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/international/che-adams-a-history-maker-in-the-one-moment-to-cherish-from-scotlands-euro-2020-opening-loss-3272843 |title=Che Adams a history-maker in the one moment to cherish from Scotland's Euro 2020 opening loss |first=Andrew |last=Smith |newspaper=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |date=14 June 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021}}

On 7 June 2024, Adams was named in Scotland's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 finals in Germany.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/record-breaking-goalkeeper-gordon-out-scotland-euro-2024-squad-2024-06-07/|title=Record-breaking goalkeeper Gordon out of Scotland's Euro 2024 squad|date=7 June 2024|access-date=15 June 2024|website=Reuters}} He started the opening match of the tournament against Germany, but was substituted at half-time for defender Grant Hanley after Ryan Porteous had been red carded for the Scots.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c844x4y3ee3t|title=Ruthless Germany humble 10-man Scotland in Euro 2024 opener|website=BBC Sport|access-date=15 June 2024}} He went on to start against both Switzerland and Hungary as Scotland finished bottom of Group A with one point from three matches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/028e-1b2c127c5b92-e020507872a2-1000--scotland-1-1-switzerland-clarke-s-men-keep-group-a-hopes-/|title=Scotland 1-1 Switzerland: Clarke's men keep Group A hopes alive|access-date=24 June 2024|website=UEFA}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/match/2036186--scotland-vs-hungary/lineups/|title=Scotland vs Hungary: Line-ups|access-date=24 June 2024|website=UEFA}}

Manager Kevin Wilson of Adams' former club Ilkeston described Adams as having "pace in abundance, but he's really powerful too" and said that "his biggest asset is that knack of changing games in the blink of an eye".

{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 9 June 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=31371 |title=Ché Adams |website=EU-Football.info |access-date=1 December 2024}}

:''As of match played 9 June 2025. Scotland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Adams goal.

Oadby Town

• Battle of Britain Charity Cup: 2012–13{{ cite web | url = https://theucl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Season-2012-13.pdf | title = United Counties League: 2012–13 season | publisher = The UCL | access-date = 13 June 2022 }}{{Cite web |title=Sep 18, Oadby Town 2 Anstey Nomads 1 {{!}} Battle of Britain Cup |url=https://fulltime.thefa.com/displayFixture.html?id=12269477 |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=fulltime.thefa.com}}

Ilkeston

• Derbyshire Senior Cup: 2013–14

Southampton

• EFL Championship play-offs: 2024{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd11vdnwwjdt#Line-ups |title=Leeds United 0–1 Southampton: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2024 |access-date=26 May 2024}}

Individual

• Sheffield United Young Player of the Season: 2015–16{{Cite web |date=9 May 2016 |title=Billy Sharp awarded Player of the Year 2015/16 |url=http://sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-player-of-the-year-2323390.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511200825/http://sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-player-of-the-year-2323390.aspx |archive-date=11 May 2016 |access-date=27 January 2023 |publisher=Sheffield United F.C.}}
• Sheffield Star Young Player of the Season: 2015–16
• Birmingham City Young Player of the Season: 2016–17
• Birmingham City Supporters' Player of the Season: 2018–19
• Birmingham City Players' Player of the Season: 2018–19
• Birmingham City Goal of the Season: 2018–19
• Serie A Goal of the Month: December 2024{{cite press release|url=https://www.legaseriea.it/en/media/serie-a/the-iliad-goal-of-the-month-for-december|publisher=Serie A |access-date=15 January 2025 |date=15 January 2025 |title=Ché Adams Wins December's Goal of the Month Presented by iliad}}
• Serie A Team of the Season: 2024–25{{cite news |date=24 May 2025 |title=EA Sports FC 25 – Serie A Team of the Season |url=https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-25/tots/serie-a|access-date=24 May 2025 |publisher=Serie A}}

• List of Scotland international footballers born outside Scotland
• List of sportspeople who competed for more than one nation

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Torino FC squad}}

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{{Scotland squad UEFA Euro 2020}}

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{{Birmingham City F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Che}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

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