Connor Ripley

Middlesbrough

Ripley began his career with Blackburn Rovers. After moving to Middlesbrough on a two-year scholarship in June 2009, he signed a two-and-a-half-year professional contract in January 2011. He was initially brought in to train with the first-team by manager Gordon Strachan, though would make his senior debut under Tony Mowbray. Ripley made his professional debut in a 5–2 loss to Reading on 5 March 2011, conceding three goals after coming on as a substitute for Jason Steele. Ripley made his full debut on 14 January 2012, in a 2–0 loss to Burnley at the Riverside Stadium, where he allowed Kieran Trippier's long-range effort slip under his body for Burnley's second goal. On 27 April 2012, he joined League Two club Oxford United on an emergency loan after both their goalkeepers had suffered injuries. Ripley made his only appearance for Oxford United the next day, in a 2–0 loss to Southend United at the Kassam Stadium. After this, manager Chris Wilder was unhappy with Ripley's performance and decided to terminate his loan spell at the club, replacing him with Emiliano Martínez. After returning to Middlesbrough, Ripley became the third-choice goalkeeper for the 2012–13 season and signed a new three-year contract with the club in January 2013. He moved on loan to League One side Bradford City on 3 August 2013, and later spoke about his hope of extending the month-long deal. The deal was extended until January, despite him being limited to a place on the bench as…

On 7 October 2011, Ripley made his debut for the England U19s in a 1–0 win against Portugal during the Limoges Tournament in France. Two days later, he replaced Jamal Blackman in a 3–1 win over Ukraine as England won the tournament. Ripley made two further appearances before being named by Noel Blake in the squad for the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Estonia. He didn't feature in the tournament as England reached the semi-finals. On 28 May 2013, he was named in manager Peter Taylor's 21-man squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his debut on 16 June in a 3–0 win in a warm-up game against Uruguay.

Ripley is an all-round goalkeeper who likes to come out and collect crosses. He is comfortable on the ball and can join in the build-up play at the back.

Connor James Ripley was born in Middlesbrough on 13 February 1993; his father is former England winger Stuart Ripley. He grew up in the Ribble Valley attending St Leonards C of E Primary School in Langho and Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe. He met partner Shauneen whilst playing for Oldham. His son was born in 2016. By 2019, he had four children, and had another child in December 2024. He is fluent in French after having spent three years living in Switzerland as a boy.