Oliver William Skipp (born 16 September 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Leicester City.

Oliver Skipp
Skipp with Leicester City in 2024
Personal information
Full name Oliver William Skipp[1]
Date of birth (2000-09-16) 16 September 2000 (age 24)[2]
Place of birth Welwyn Garden City, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
Leicester City
Number 22
Youth career
Bengeo Tigers FC
2006–2018 Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2024 Tottenham Hotspur 77 (1)
2020–2021Norwich City (loan) 45 (1)
2024– Leicester City 6 (0)
International career
2015–2016 England U16 13 (0)
2016 England U17 1 (0)
2017–2018 England U18 3 (0)
2019–2023 England U21 24 (0)
Medal record
Representing  England
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner 2023 Georgia–Romania
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:06, 19 October 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Tottenham Hotspur

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Skipp started his youth career with Bengeo Tigers FC before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.[3] On 29 August 2018, Skipp signed a three-year contract with Tottenham.[4] He made his professional debut for Tottenham in a 3–1 EFL Cup win over West Ham United on 31 October.[5] He made his league debut in a home match against Southampton, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–1 win,[6] and made his first start on 15 December in a 1–0 win against Burnley.[7] In January 2019, Skipp assisted two goals in Tottenham's 7–0 win against Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup.[8]

On 17 July 2020, Skipp signed a new three-year contract with the option of a fourth with Tottenham.[9] For the 2020–21, season he joined Norwich City on loan.[10][11] Skipp scored the first goal of his career in Norwich's 3–1 win at Birmingham City on 23 February 2021.[12] Skipp went on to help Norwich win the Championship and was included in the 2021 PFA Team of the Year.[13]

Skipp established himself as a regular starter for Tottenham in the first half of the 2021-22 season, making 18 appearances before suffering a pelvic injury in January, which saw him miss the rest of the season.[14] On 20 April 2022, Skipp signed a new five-year contract with Tottenham that is set to expire in 2027.[15] Skipp made his return from injury in a pre-season friendly on 13 July 2022.[14] On 26 February 2023, in the London derby against Chelsea, he scored the opener 19 seconds after the second half restart for his first senior goal for Spurs and his first in two years.[16][17]

Leicester City

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On 19 August 2024, Leicester City announced that they had reached an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur to sign Skipp on a five-year deal for a £20 million transfer fee.[18][19]

International career

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Skipp has represented England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-21 levels.[20]

On 30 August 2019, Skipp was included in the England U21 squad for the first time.[21] He eventually made his U21 debut on 11 October 2019 as a substitute during a 2–2 draw against Slovenia in Maribor.[22] Skipp was a member of the squad that were eliminated at the group stage of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[23]

On 14 June 2023, Skipp was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[24][25] He came off the bench as a second-half substitute in the final as England defeated Spain to win the tournament.[26][27]

Style of play

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Skipp operates as a defensive midfielder, and is known for his ability to break up play and win the ball.[28]

Then-teammate Grant Hanley said of Skipp in January 2021 that "he has experience beyond his years," and praised his ability to read the game and make decisions under pressure.[29]

Personal life

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Skipp was born in Welwyn Garden City and grew up in Hertford.[20] From 2003 to 2012, he attended Duncombe Primary School and Richard Hale School in Hertford.[30] Skipp played youth football for Bengeo Tigers FC.[31]

Career statistics

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As of match played 30 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tottenham Hotspur U23 2017–18[32] 2[a] 0 2 0
2018–19[33] 1[a] 0 1 0
Total 3 0 3 0
Tottenham Hotspur 2018–19[33] Premier League 8 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 12 0
2019–20[34] 7 0 1 0 1 0 2[b] 0 11 0
2021–22[35] 18 0 1 0 5 0 4[c] 0 28 0
2022–23[36] 23 1 3 0 1 0 4[b] 0 31 1
2023–24[37] 21 0 2 0 1 0 24 0
Total 77 1 9 0 10 0 10 0 106 1
Norwich City (loan) 2020–21[38] Championship 45 1 2 0 0 0 47 1
Leicester City 2024–25[39] Premier League 6 0 0 0 3 0 9 0
Career total 128 2 11 0 13 0 10 0 3 0 165 2
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

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Norwich City

England U21

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Oliver Skipp: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Tigers past and present". Bengeo Tigeres. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  4. ^ Durkan, Joanna (28 August 2018). "Tottenham Announce Contract Extensions for Trio of Up and Coming Young Stars". 90Min. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  5. ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (31 October 2018). "West Ham United 1–3 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  6. ^ Gold, Alasdair (5 December 2018). "Spurs player ratings: Kane, Lucas & Son strike & Skipp makes league debut as Tottenham go third". football.london. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  7. ^ Miller, Nick (15 December 2018). "Christian Eriksen's late strike gives Tottenham win over Burnley". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  8. ^ Henry, Matthew (4 January 2019). "Tranmere Rovers 0–7 Tottenham Hotspur: Fernando Llorente scores hat-trick in thrashing". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Oliver Skipp signs new Tottenham deal". Sky Sports. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Skipp loaned to Norwich". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Oliver Skipp: Norwich sign Tottenham midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Birmingham City 1-3 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  13. ^ a b c "Skipp in PFA Championship Team of the Year". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  14. ^ a b Gorrie, Jonathan (14 July 2022). "Midfielder glad for Tottenham return after Conte's public frustration". Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  15. ^ "New contract for Skipp". Tottenham Hotspur. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea: Live Commentary & Result | Premier League". Goal. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  17. ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (26 February 2023). "Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Leicester City Agree Deal For Oliver Skipp". Leicester City. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Skipp seals Leicester switch from Tottenham ahead of Premier League clash". BeIN Sports. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Oliver Skipp Player Profile". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  21. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (30 August 2019). "England U21s kick-off a new campaign and Aidy Boothroyd has picked his squad". The Football Association. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  22. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (11 October 2019). "Goals from Eddie Nketiah and Sam Surridge cancelled out as young Lions tie in Maribor". The Football Association. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  23. ^ "2021 Uefa U21 Euro squad". BBC Sport. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  24. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (14 June 2023). "England MU21s squad named for 2023 EURO Finals". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  25. ^ "England Under-21s: Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe & Gordon in but Lewis left out". BBC Sport. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  26. ^ a b Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England beat Spain to win Euro U21 Championship". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  27. ^ Reid, James (8 July 2023). "England win U21 EURO title after 1-0 win over Spain". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  28. ^ Southwell, Connor (29 April 2021). "Spurs loanee Skipp claims third place in Player of the Season vote". The Pink Un. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  29. ^ Dawnay, Oliver (20 January 2021). "Skipp branded 'top quality' as Spurs starlet shines on loan with Norwich". talkSPORT. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  30. ^ Rutherford, Cameron (17 March 2023). "Tottenham Hotspur footballer Oliver Skipp returns to former Hertford school to unveil new sports hall". Hertfordshire Mercury. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  31. ^ Reynolds, Charlie (25 May 2021). "From Bengeo Tigers to 'future Tottenham Hotspur captain' - how Oliver Skipp rose to the top". Hertfordshire Mercury. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  32. ^ "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  33. ^ a b "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  34. ^ "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  35. ^ "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  37. ^ "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  39. ^ "Games played by Oliver Skipp in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
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