Eli Josef King (born 23 December 2002) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Stevenage, on loan from EFL Championship club Cardiff City, and the Wales under-21 national team.[2]

Eli King
Personal information
Full name Eli Josef King[1]
Date of birth (2002-12-23) 23 December 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Wales
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Stevenage
(on loan from Cardiff City)
Number 26
Youth career
–2021 Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Cardiff City 5 (0)
2022–2023Crewe Alexandra (loan) 15 (0)
2023–2024Morecambe (loan) 20 (1)
2024Ross County (loan) 15 (0)
2024–Stevenage (loan) 11 (0)
International career
2018 Wales U17 3 (0)
2021– Wales U21 15 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:18, 10 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:11, 15 October 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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He made his first-team debut on 23 October 2021 as a second-half substitute in the 2–0 Championship defeat against Middlesbrough.[3][4]

He moved on loan to Crewe Alexandra in August 2022,[5] making his Crewe debut in a goalless draw at Bradford City on 27 August 2022.[6] He returned to Cardiff in January 2023.[7]

King joined Morecambe in July 2023 on loan for the 2023–24 season.[8] He scored his first goal for Morcambe against Doncaster Rovers on 12 December 2023, in a 5-0 victory.[9] On 8 January 2024, King was recalled by Cardiff City.[10] A week after his return to Cardiff City, he joined Scottish Premiership club Ross County on loan until the end of the season.[11][12]

In August 2024 he moved on loan to Stevenage for the season.[13]

International career

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After playing for Wales under-17s,[14] King was selected for the Wales under-21 squad in November 2021.[15] He was called up again in September 2022 for the Wales under-21s' friendly with Austria.[16]

Career statistics

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As of 10 December 2024
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cardiff City 2021–22[17] Championship 4 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
2022–23[6] Championship 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
2023–24[18] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024–25[19] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Total 5 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 8 0
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2022–23[6] League Two 15 0 1 0 0 0 2[a] 0 18 0
Morecambe (loan) 2023–24[18] League Two 20 1 2 1 1 0 1[a] 0 24 2
Ross County (loan) 2023–24[18] Scottish Premiership 15 0 1 0 0 0 2[b] 0 18 0
Stevenage (loan) 2024–25[19] League One 11 0 2 0 0 0 2[a] 0 15 0
Career total 66 1 7 1 3 0 7 0 83 2
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
  2. ^ Appearances in the relegation play-offs

References

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  1. ^ "EFL – Squad List 2021/22" (PDF). English English Football League. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  2. ^ Eli King at Soccerway
  3. ^ "Championship: Cardiff 0–2 Middlesbrough – Payero doubles the lead". 22 October 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ Williams, Glen (28 February 2022). "'Top-drawer' starlet King stays behind to clean the changing rooms". WalesOnline.
  5. ^ "Crewe sign Cardiff youngster King on loan" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  6. ^ a b c "Games played by Eli King in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  7. ^ Baggaley, Michael (3 January 2023). "Crewe boss Bell confirms loan situation for Brook, King and Leshabela". CheshireLive.
  8. ^ "Morecambe sign Cardiff midfielder King on loan" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Eli King is "Exceptional" for Morcambe as Cardiff City ponder midfield options - Ninian Park". 19 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Eli King recalled by Cardiff City". www.morecambefc.com. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Loan | Eli King joins Ross County". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Eli King: Cardiff City midfielder joins Ross County on loan". BBC Sport. 15 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Eli King: Stevenage sign Cardiff City midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 22 August 2024.
  14. ^ Eli King at WorldFootball.net
  15. ^ "Cardiff's King earns Wales U21s call" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  16. ^ "Eli King is loving life at Crewe Alexandra". CreweAlex.net. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Games played by Eli King in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  18. ^ a b c "Games played by Eli King in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Games played by Eli King in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2024.