Nathan Wood (footballer, born 2002)
{{short description|English association football player (born 2002)}}
{{for|the Welsh footballer|Nathan Wood (footballer, born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nathan Wood
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Nathan Dean Joshua Wood-Gordon{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/4243590 |title=2024/25 Updated Premier League squad lists |publisher=Premier League |date=7 February 2025 |access-date=8 February 2025}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|5|31|df=y}}{{cite web | url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams/middlesbrough/nathan-wood | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724140526/https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams/middlesbrough/nathan-wood | archive-date=24 July 2020 | title=Nathan Wood | publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. | access-date=14 August 2018 | website=mfc.co.uk}}
| birth_place = Ingleby Barwick,{{cite web | url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/new-intakes-boost-academy | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180701193817/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/new-intakes-boost-academy | archive-date=1 July 2018 | title=New Intakes Boost Academy | publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. | access-date=14 August 2018 | website=mfc.co.uk}} England
| height = {{convert|1.88|m|order=flip}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/nathan-wood-gordon/496764/|title=N. Wood-Gordon: Summary|publisher=Perform Group|access-date=14 August 2018|website=soccerway.com}}
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Southampton
| clubnumber = 15
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = TIBS
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2015
| youthclubs2 = Stockton Town
| youthyears3 = 2015–2018
| youthclubs3 = Middlesbrough
| years1 = 2018–2022
| clubs1 = Middlesbrough
| caps1 = 5
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2021
| clubs2 = → Crewe Alexandra (loan)
| caps2 = 12
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2021
| clubs3 = → Hibernian (loan)
| caps3 = 1
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2022–2024
| clubs4 = Swansea City
| caps4 = 66
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2024–
| clubs5 = Southampton
| caps5 = 9
| goals5 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam1 = England U15
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam2 = England U16
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2018–2019
| nationalteam3 = England U17
| nationalcaps3 = 8
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2019
| nationalteam4 = England U18
| nationalcaps4 = 9
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2021–
| nationalteam5 = England U20
| nationalcaps5 = 5
| nationalgoals5 = 0
| nationalyears6 = 2023–
| nationalteam6 = England U21
| nationalcaps6 = 4
| nationalgoals6 = 0
| club-update = 17:45, 15 February 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 22:08, 23 September 2024 (UTC)
}}
Nathan Dean Joshua Wood-Gordon (born 31 May 2002), known as Nathan Wood, is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{English football updater|Southamp}} club Southampton.
Early life
Wood is the son of former Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough player Dean Gordon.{{cite web | url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/16377502.nathan-wood-has-made-everyone-at-boro-take-notice-and-hes-only-just-sat-his-final-physics-gcse-exam/ | title=Nathan Wood Has Made Everyone At Boro Take Notice | publisher=The Northern Echo | access-date=14 August 2018 | website=thenorthernecho.co.uk}} He came from an athletic background, having taken part in various sporting competitions throughout 2014 and 2015.{{cite web | url=https://www.runbritainrankings.com/runners/profile.aspx?athleteid=657072 | title=Runners Profile | publisher=Run Britain | access-date=14 August 2018 | website=runbritainrankings.com}}{{cite web | url=https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=657072 | title=Nathan Wood-Gordon | publisher=thepowerof10 | access-date=14 August 2018 | website=thepowerof10.info}} Prior to joining the Middlesbrough academy squad in 2015, he played for TIBS and Stockton Town.
He attended Conyers School in Yarm, this led to him featuring in the twelfth episode in the first series of the CBBC educational documentary series Our School in 2014, during this time he was in year 7, his first year in secondary school.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo4N-UoWfP0|title=Our School: Series 1 – Episode 12 – The Beautiful Game|publisher=YouTube|access-date=1 August 2022}}
Club career
=Middlesbrough=
On 1 July 2018, Wood signed professional terms with Middlesbrough. He would become the club's youngest ever player to make a professional appearance, at 16 years and 72 days, replacing Daniel Ayala in an EFL Cup tie against Notts County on 14 August 2018.{{cite news |date=15 August 2018 |title=Nathan Wood Becomes Boro's Youngest Ever Player |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/nathan-wood-becomes-boros-youngest-ever-player |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815200609/https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/nathan-wood-becomes-boros-youngest-ever-player |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=15 August 2018 |website=mfc.co.uk |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45092544#tab-0 |title=Middlesbrough 3–3 Notts County |website =bbc.co.uk |date=14 August 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=14 August 2018}}
On 1 February 2021, Wood joined League One side Crewe Alexandra on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55896937 |title=Nathan Wood: Crewe Alexandra sign Middlesbrough centre-back on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2021 |access-date=2 February 2021}} He made his Crewe debut in a 2–1 defeat at Swindon Town on 20 February 2021.{{cite news |title=Swindon Town 2–1 Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56050791 |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2021}}
On 31 August 2021, Wood moved north of the border to join Scottish Premiership club Hibernian on a season-long loan deal.{{cite web |date=31 August 2021 |title=Nathan Wood Joins Hibernian On Loan |url=https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/nathan-wood-joins-hibernian-on-loan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329161843/https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/nathan-wood-joins-hibernian-on-loan |archive-date=29 March 2023 |website=www.hibernianfc.co.uk}}
On 16 October 2021, Wood made his debut for Hibernian, where he played the full game in a 3–0 loss against Dundee United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58796009|title=Hibernian 0–3 Dundee United|website=bbc.co.uk|first=Andrew|last=Southwick|date=16 October 2021|access-date=16 October 2021}}
On 25 November 2021, it was announced that Wood had returned to parent club Middlesbrough for the remainder of his loan spell until January 2022, having only featured once for Hibs.{{cite web |date=25 November 2021 |title=Nathan Wood Returns To Middlesbrough |url=https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/nathan-wood-returns-to-middlesbrough |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329161847/https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/nathan-wood-returns-to-middlesbrough |archive-date=29 March 2023 |access-date=25 November 2021 |publisher=Hibernian FC}}
=Swansea City=
On 10 June 2022, Wood joined Swansea City on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.swanseacity.com/news/nathan-wood-seals-swansea-city-transfer|title=Nathan Wood seals Swansea City transfer|website=www.swanseacity.com|date=10 June 2022|access-date=11 June 2022}} Wood's new manager Russell Martin was a long-term admirer and had previously tried to sign the defender when in charge of Milton Keynes Dons.{{cite web|url=https://www.swanseacity.com/news/nathan-wood-signing-ends-two-year-pursuit-swansea-city-boss-russell-martin|title=Nathan Wood signing ends two-year pursuit for Swansea City boss Russell Martin|website=www.swanseacity.com|date=10 June 2022|access-date=11 June 2022}}
= Southampton =
On 5 July 2024, Wood joined Premier League club Southampton on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |date=5 July 2024 |title=Wood joins as latest summer signing |url=https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/wood-joins-as-latest-summer-signing |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Southampton FC}} He made his debut for the club on 28 August 2024 in a 5–3 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup.{{Cite web |last=Mitchelmore |first=Ian |date=28 August 2024 |title=Cardiff City 3–5 Southampton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cje2kz303k0t#Report |access-date=28 August 2024 |website=BBC Sport}} On 4 December 2024, Wood made his Premier League debut in a 5–1 home defeat against Chelsea.{{Cite web |last=Kinsella |first=Nizaar |date=4 December 2024 |title=Southampton 1–5 Chelsea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2l21kv7zlt#Line-ups |access-date=5 December 2024 |website=BBC Sport}}
International career
Wood has represented England at U15, U16, U17 and U18 level.{{cite web |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/walker-bags-winner-for-young-lions |title=Walker Bags Winner For Young Lions |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |website=mfc.co.uk |access-date=11 September 2018}}
On 6 September 2021, Wood made his debut for the England U20s during a 6–1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park.{{Cite web|title=Six at SGP for MU20s|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2021/Sep/06/20210609-england-mu20s-romania-match-report|access-date=2021-09-06|website=EnglandFootball.com|language=en}}
On 28 March 2023, Wood made his England U21 debut during a 2–1 defeat to Croatia at Craven Cottage.{{Cite web|title=Report: England MU21s 1–2 Croatia|url=https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2023/Mar/28/england-mu21s-croatia--match-report-20232803|access-date=2023-03-30|website=EnglandFootball.com|language=en}}
Style of play
Wood is known to be a pacey player and has previously played as a left-midfielder as a result of this. He recorded a 100m time of 13.07 seconds when he was aged 13.
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !rowspan=2|Division !colspan=2|League !colspan=2|National Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|Middlesbrough
|2018–19{{soccerbase season|114227|2018|access-date=14 August 2018}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|114227|2019|access-date=18 May 2020}}
|Championship |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|114227|2020|access-date=18 May 2020}}
|Championship |4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | |
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|114227|2021|access-date=16 October 2021}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Crewe Alexandra (loan)
|12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Hibernian (loan)
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| rowspan="3"|Swansea City
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|114227|2022|access-date=2 February 2023}} |Championship |40 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 0 | |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|114227|2023|access-date=2 February 2023}}
|Championship |26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!66 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 1 |
| Southampton
|2024–25{{soccerbase season|114227|2024|access-date=8 July 2024}} |9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Overall
!93 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 112 | 1 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase|id=114227}}
{{Southampton F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Nathan}}
Category:People from the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees
Category:Footballers from North Yorkshire
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:Hibernian F.C. players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Southampton F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Premier League players
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Black British sportsmen