Joe Gomez

Early career

He joined the academy at nearby Charlton Athletic at the age of 10, making his debut for the club's under-18 team at just 13 years old. Despite strong interest from other clubs, Gomez signed his first professional contract with Charlton in October 2014. His first-team debut came under manager Bob Peeters in a 4–0 home victory over Colchester United on 12 August 2014 in the 2014–15 League Cup, playing the full 90 minutes at right-back. A week later he made his league debut in a 3–2 home win against Derby County in the Championship. Gomez went on to make 24 appearances during his first season.

Liverpool

2015–2017

On 20 June 2015, Premier League club Liverpool signed Gomez on a five-year contract for a fee of £3.5 million. He made his debut against Stoke City on 9 August, starting as a left-back in a 1–0 win, assisting Philippe Coutinho's match-winning goal in the 86th minute. On 13 October 2015, Gomez suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while playing for England U21. A full year later, Gomez returned to full first-team training on 13 October 2016. On 13 November, Gomez played 45 minutes in a behind closed doors friendly match at Melwood. On 8 January 2017, Gomez made his first start since the injury in an FA Cup 0–0 home draw against Plymouth Argyle.

2017–2019

On 23 August 2017, Gomez made his European debut, in a 4–2 win over TSG Hoffenheim in the UEFA Champions League play-off. Due to the…

Gomez has been capped by England at under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels. In May 2014, he was part of the squad that won the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Malta, playing every minute of England's five matches and being named in UEFA's team of the tournament. Through his father he could have been eligible to play for the Gambia. On 25 August 2015, he received his first call-up to the under-21 squad. On 30 August 2017, Gomez was announced as England U21 captain ahead of the qualifying campaign for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He received his first call-up to the England senior squad in November 2017. He made his England debut against Germany at Wembley Stadium in a friendly match, coming on as a substitute to replace Phil Jones in a 0–0 draw. Gomez received a man of the match award in the following game for his performance against Brazil, earning praise for a number of crucial interceptions, and for his ability to nullify the threat of Neymar. In June 2024, Gomez was named in Gareth Southgate's 26-man England squad for UEFA Euro 2024.

Gomez prefers to play as a centre-back but can also play as a full-back on either side. He has been described as a complete footballer and composed ball-playing centre-back with his style of play, being compared to that of former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand whom he idolised growing up. Gomez is also noted for his athleticism, pace and strength; he is able to produce powerful and dangerous runs up-field on the counter-attack and in defence is rarely physically dominated by an opponent.

Gomez was born on 23 May 1997 in Catford, Greater London, to a Gambian father, Augustus Gomez, and an English mother.