Curtis Nelson

Nelson was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/curtis-nelson/ |title=Curtis Nelson: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=12 April 2020}} He is a cousin of sprinters Ashleigh{{cite news |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Meet-Plymouth-athletes-competing-2014/story-21663813-detail/story.html |title=Meet the Plymouth athletes competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland |date=20 July 2014 |newspaper=The Herald |location=Plymouth |access-date=25 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924094808/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Meet-Plymouth-athletes-competing-2014/story-21663813-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}} and Alexander Nelson{{cite news |url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/16270028.love-island-2018-link-to-oxford-united-has-captain-curtis-nelson-particularly-interested-this-series/ |first=Naomi |last=Herring |title=Love Island 2018 link to Oxford United has captain Curtis Nelson particularly interested this series |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=5 June 2018 |access-date=30 December 2018}} and his younger brother Wes appeared in series 4 of the reality TV show Love Island in 2018.

Nelson spent seven years with Stoke City as a schoolboy before being released in February 2009. He joined Plymouth Argyle two months later.{{cite web |title=Curtis Nelson |url=http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=1004&scp=1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |website=Greens on Screen |access-date=14 June 2013}} His performances in the 2009–10 season for the youth team and reserves, in both defence and midfield, earned him a place in the first-team squad for the club's final match of the campaign against Peterborough United.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8646507.stm "Plymouth 1–2 Peterborough"]. BBC Sport. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010. Nelson trained with the first team during throughout their 2010–11 pre-season and impressed manager Peter Reid. "I was very impressed with young Curtis," said Reid. "I like young players and he will be training with us all the time now. He played centre-back last year but he can play midfield as well."[http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2109980,00.html "Half Nelson"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915022953/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~2109980%2C00.html |date=15 September 2012 }}. Plymouth Argyle F.C. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010. He made his first-team debut on 10 August 2010 in the League Cup against Notts County, replacing Anton Peterlin as a second-half substitute.[http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2117934,00.html "Full Nelson"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821123136/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~2117934%2C00.html |date=21 August 2010 }}. Plymouth Argyle F.C. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8882710.stm "Plymouth 0–1 Notts County"]. BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.

He signed his first professional contract in October 2010, one that would last until the end of the 2011–12 season.{{cite web |title=Curtis Contract |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2178514,00.html |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |access-date=6 May 2012 |date=8 October 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805092341/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2178514,00.html |archive-date=5 August 2012}} His performances for Argyle led to a call-up to the England under-18 team to play Italy in April 2011.{{cite web |title=Call Up For Curtis |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2324416,00.html |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |access-date=6 May 2012 |date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805161952/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2324416,00.html |archive-date=5 August 2012}} He replaced George Moncur in the second half as England drew 1–1.{{cite web |title=Lions held to draw in Carpi |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u18s/News/match-centre/2011/Italy%20v%20England |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=6 May 2012 |date=12 April 2011}} Nelson appeared in 35 league matches during his debut season and three more in cup competitions.{{cite news |title=Season's been a learning curve |url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Season-s-learning-curve/story-15847147-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505080539/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Season-s-learning-curve/story-15847147-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=6 May 2012 |newspaper=The Herald |location=Plymouth |date=18 April 2012 }} He finished the season by winning the club's Young Player of the Year award.{{cite web |last=Perrow |first=Mark |title=Peter's Praise For Fletch & Nelse |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2353615,00.html |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |access-date=6 May 2012 |date=6 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031632/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~2353615%2C00.html |archive-date=21 July 2011}} Nelson began the new season in the team, but lost his place in November after the club signed Maxime Blanchard and Darren Purse. A knee injury in December meant a lengthy spell on the sidelines and new manager Carl Fletcher stressed that it was important Nelson took as long as he needed to make a full recovery.{{cite web |last=Bradford |first=Andy |title=Nelson on Way Back |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2606945,00.html |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |access-date=6 May 2012 |date=6 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609120055/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~2606945%2C00.html |archive-date=9 June 2012}}

Nelson signed a new undisclosed contract in April 2012, along with teammates Luke Young and Jared Sims.{{cite web |title=Signed On |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2712269,00.html |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |access-date=6 May 2012 |date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627103153/http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10364~2712269%2C00.html |archive-date=27 June 2012}}{{cite web |title=Curtis Nelson, Luke Young and Jared Sims sign Plymouth Argyle deals |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17595618 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 May 2012 |date=3 April 2012}} Nelson finished the season with 21 appearances in all competitions. He scored his first senior goal in a win against Northampton Town in September.{{cite news |title=Curtis Nelson: I didn't know what to do after scoring |url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Curtis-Nelson-didn-t-know-scoring/story-16812885-detail/story.html |access-date=14 June 2013 |newspaper=The Herald |location=Plymouth |date=3 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905021658/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Curtis-Nelson-didn-t-know-scoring/story-16812885-detail/story.html |archive-date=5 September 2012 |url-status=dead }} "I ran over to the fans to celebrate, but I didn't know what to do," said Nelson. In April 2013, he became the youngest Plymouth Argyle captain since Norman Piper in August 1967 when he led the team in a win against Cheltenham Town.{{cite news |last=Errington |first=Chris |title=It was 'a great honour' to be Plymouth Argyle captain, says Curtis Nelson |url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/great-honour-Plymouth-Argyle-captain-says-Curtis/story-18642849-detail/story.html |access-date=14 June 2013 |newspaper=The Herald |location=Plymouth |date=8 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410011319/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/great-honour-Plymouth-Argyle-captain-says-Curtis/story-18642849-detail/story.html |archive-date=10 April 2013 |url-status=dead }} "It was a great honour. To be the captain at such a young age, I wasn't expecting it at all." Nelson made 32 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign and scored three goals. On 7 May 2014, Nelson committed to the Pilgrims by signing a new two-year contract with the club.{{cite web |title=Curtis Signs On |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/curtis-signs-on-1540828.aspx |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |date=7 May 2014}}

On 4 July 2016, Nelson signed for newly promoted League One club Oxford United on a two-year contract,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36704606 |title=Curtis Nelson: Oxford United sign former Plymouth Argyle captain |website=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2017}} later extended by a year.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43961398 |title=Oxford United: Karl Robinson chooses to release eight players at end of contracts |website=BBC Sport |date=1 May 2018 |access-date=18 August 2019}} An independent transfer tribunal was required as Nelson was an academy graduate aged under 24 and the two clubs were unable to agree a fee. The tribunal ruled a fee of £200,000 was payable with an additional £80,000 depending on appearances.{{Cite news|title=Tribunal sets Oxford fee for Nelson|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37911419|access-date=2020-12-17}} Before the start of his second season at the club, following the departure of John Lundstram, he was appointed team captain.{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/15435492.Curtis_Nelson_proud_to_be_named_Oxford_United_s_new_captain/ |title=Curtis Nelson proud to be named Oxford United's new captain |newspaper=Oxford Mail |first=David |last=Pritchard |date=27 July 2017 |access-date=27 July 2017}} He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a home defeat to Northampton Town in November 2017 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season,{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/15658410.Oxford_United_captain_Curtis_Nelson_ruled_out_for_rest_of_season/ |title=Oxford United captain Curtis Nelson ruled out for rest of season with ruptured Achilles tendon |newspaper=Oxford Mail |first=Jack |last=Johnson |date=13 November 2017 |access-date=17 November 2017}} teammate John Mousinho replacing him as captain.{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/15666638.John_Mousinho_honoured_to_be_named_new_captain__but_Oxford_United_rocked_by_Rob_Hall_injury/ |title=John Mousinho honoured to be named new captain, but Oxford United rocked by Rob Hall injury |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=17 November 2017 |first=Jack |last=Johnson |access-date=17 November 2017}} Nelson returned, earlier than expected, to the first team as a substitute on 14 April 2018 was immediately handed the captain's armband,{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/oxfordunited/16160962.Curtis_Nelson_thrilled_to_be_back_in_Oxford_United_shirt/ |title=Curtis Nelson thrilled to be back in Oxford United shirt |newspaper=Oxford Mail |first=David |last=Pritchard |access-date=16 April 2018}} though Mousinho later took the armband permanently.{{cite news |url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-plymouth-argyle-player-curtis-2017345 |title=Former Plymouth Argyle player Curtis Nelson stripped of captaincy at Oxford United |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=18 September 2019 |first=Jak |last=Ball |access-date=18 August 2019}} Nelson declined a contract renewal and left Oxford after the 2018–19 season, having appeared 121 times in all competitions, scoring 8 times, in his three seasons with the club.{{Soccerbase}}

Nelson signed for newly relegated Championship club Cardiff City on 27 June 2019 on a free transfer on a two-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/done-deal-curtis-nelson-joins/ |title=Done deal: Curtis Nelson joins City! |publisher=Cardiff City F.C. |date=27 June 2019 |access-date=6 July 2019}} He made his debut as a substitute in place of Marlon Pack during a 3–0 defeat to Reading.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49309458 |title=Reading 3–0 Cardiff City |website=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2019 |access-date=18 August 2019}} He scored his first goal for Cardiff on 2 November 2019 in a 4–2 win against Birmingham City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50190746 |title=Cardiff 4-2 Birmingham |date=2 November 2019 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 November 2019}}

Nelson signed a two-year extension on his contract on 7 September 2020, keeping him in the Welsh capital till 2023.{{cite news |title=Curtis Nelson signs new City deal |url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/curtis-nelson-signs-new-city-deal |publisher=Cardiff City F.C. |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=7 September 2020}}

On 28 January 2023, Nelson signed for Championship side Blackpool on a deal until the end of the season after leaving Cardiff by mutual consent.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64439463 |title=Curtis Nelson: Blackpool sign defender until end of season after Cardiff release |website=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2023 |access-date=30 January 2023}} He scored his first goal for the club on 14 March 2023 in a 6–1 win against Queens Park Rangers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64871008|title=Blackpool 6-1 Queens Park Rangers|publisher=BBC |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=20 March 2023}}

On 23 June 2023, free agent Nelson signed a two-year deal with Derby County, becoming manager Paul Warne's fourth summer signing.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66001758|title=Curtis Nelson: Derby County sign defender following Blackpool exit|publisher=BBC|date=23 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023}} He made his Derby debut on 5 August against Wigan Athletic.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66345512|title=Derby County 1–2 Wigan Athletic|publisher=BBC|date=5 August 2023 |access-date=17 October 2023}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw at Cheltenham Town on 7 October.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66968889|title=Cheltenham Town 1–1 Derby County|publisher=BBC|date=7 October 2023 |access-date=17 October 2023}} Nelson and his central defensive partner Eiran Cashin were one of the strongest and most reliable defensive partnerships in League One during the 2023–24 season, as their relationship and trust in each other showed on the field.{{Cite news|last=Curtis|first=Leigh|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-eiran-cashin-interview-9152927|title=I was told I'd be lucky to make it now I dream of Derby County promotion|newspaper=Derbyshirelive|date=9 March 2024|access-date=13 March 2024|via=www.derbytelegraph.co.uk}} Nelson played in every single minute of Derby's 46 League One matches, the only outfield player in the league to do so. He featured in a defence which kept 22 clean sheets and conceded the fewest goals in the League at just 37.{{cite news|title=Wildsmith Wins Sky Bet League One Golden Glove For 2023/24|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/04/wildsmith-wins-sky-bet-league-one-golden-glove-for-202324|publisher=Derby County|date=27 April 2024|accessdate=28 April 2024}} These performances helped Derby finish runners-up in the division and earn automatic promotion to the Championship.{{cite news|title=Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-derby-county-promoted-duo-9250843|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=27 April 2024|accessdate=28 April 2024}} Nelson also won the club's Jack Stamps Trophy as Derby's Player of the Year, with the defender making 51 appearances in total for the club during the season with two goals.{{cite news|title=Nelson Named Derby's 2023/24 Jack Stamps Player of the Season|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/04/derby-county-202324-end-of-season-awards-night-review-april-2024|publisher=Derby County|date=27 April 2024|accessdate=28 April 2024}}

Nelson had added competition in the central defensive role at Derby for the 2024–25 with Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips, Nelson still retained his place in the starting 11 and was one Derby's top performers in the clubs opening nine matches back in the Championship, scoring two goals with a bullet header in a 2–0 win over QPR on 5 October 2024 being the pick of these. His reputation for being a solid, reliable central defender who makes minimal mistakes was maintained in spite of the higher level of opposition shown in the Championship.{{Cite news|last=Curtis|first=Leigh|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-winners-and-losers-9622127|title='Blimey' - the winners and the losers as brilliant Derby County defy early expectation|newspaper=Derbyshirelive|date=10 October 2024|access-date=11 October 2024|via=www.derbytelegraph.co.uk}} On 14 November 2024, Nelson signed a one-year extension to his Derby contract, to extend his stay at Derby until June 2026.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c2e71k27ygvo|title=Derby's Nelson signs one-year contract extension|publisher=BBC|date=14 November 2024 |access-date=15 November 2024}} After featuring in Derby's first 27 league matches of the season, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a knee ligament injury, this ended a run of 73 consecutive league full-90 minute appearances since joining the club in 2023.{{Cite news|last=Dick|first=Brian|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-derby-county-stalwart-curtis-9878087|title=Derby County stalwart Curtis Nelson ruled out for season|newspaper=Derbyshirelive|date=20 January 2025|access-date=14 May 2025|via=www.derbytelegraph.co.uk}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czdl3n70l18o|title=Derby defender Nelson out for season

|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2025|access-date=14 May 2025|via=www.bbc.co.uk/sport}}

{{updated|match played 18 January 2025}}

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Oxford United

• EFL Trophy runner-up: 2016–17{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39404886 |title=Coventry City 2–1 Oxford United |first=Ged |last=Scott |website=BBC Sport |date=2 April 2017 |access-date=29 May 2018}}

Derby County

• EFL League One second-place promotion: 2023–24

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 League Two{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36106596 |title=PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team |website=BBC Sport |date=21 April 2016 |access-date=7 May 2018}}
• Derby County Player of the Year: 2023–24

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/player/66 Profile] at the Cardiff City F.C. website
• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Derby County F.C. squad}}

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{{2015–16 Football League Two PFA Team of the Year}}

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Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Newcastle-under-Lyme

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Stoke City F.C. players

Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players

Category:Oxford United F.C. players

Category:Cardiff City F.C. players

Category:Blackpool F.C. players

Category:Derby County F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:21st-century English sportsmen