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Joseph Peter Rodon (born 22 October 1997) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Leeds United and the Wales national team.

A youth product of Swansea City, Rodon made 54 senior appearances for the club before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in October 2020. He later moved to Leeds United on loan in August 2023, and later joined the club permanently in 2024. In 2022, Rodon helped Wales qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1958.[3]

Club career

Swansea City

Rodon grew up in Morriston, Swansea,[4][5] and went to Llangyfelach Primary School, then Pontarddulais Comprehensive School.[6] He was a Swansea City season ticket holder before joining the club at the age of eight in 2005.[5] He signed his first professional contract in July 2015[citation needed] and was named on the first-team bench for the first time in January 2016 for the FA Cup tie with Oxford United.[5] He was then named on the first-team bench in the Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal in October 2017.[citation needed] Rodon played as captain of Swansea’s under-23 team in a 2–1 win over Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy on 15 August 2017.[7]

On 30 January 2018, he joined League Two side Cheltenham Town on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season.[8] Manager Gary Johnson said, “We have been keeping an eye on him for some time, and he is undoubtedly a quality player”.[9] He made his senior debut for the club on 3 February 2018, starting in a 1–1 draw away to Grimsby Town,[10] and he made seven starts and five substitute appearances for the club during his loan with the club.[11]

Swansea were relegated to the EFL Championship for the 2018–19 season,[6] and Rodon made his debut for Swansea under new manager Graham Potter on 11 August 2018, starting in a 1–0 home win over Preston North End.[12] He established himself as a regular starter at the club following the departure of first-team centre-backs Kyle Bartley, Ashley Williams, Federico Fernández, and Jordi Amat.[4][6] On 1 November 2018, Rodon signed a new contract with Swansea, valid until summer 2022, having made 12 appearances for the club up to that point.[13] He made 23 league appearances for the club prior to suffering a metatarsal injury in January 2019, and made 27 league appearances in total over the 2018–19 season.[14][15]

He made 21 appearances the following season under new coach Steve Cooper.

Tottenham Hotspur

Rodon signed for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on 16 October 2020, signing a five-year contract for a reported fee of £11 million. [16][17] He made his Premier League debut for Tottenham Hotspur on 26 October 2020 after coming on as a substitute for Son Heung-min in the 93rd minute in the 1–0 win away against Burnley.[18] He made his first start for the club in the away match against Chelsea on 29 November as Toby Alderweireld was out injured, and helped keep a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw.[19][20]

On 1 August 2022, Rodon joined French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais on a year-long loan with Rennes holding the option to sign him permanenty, for a fee estimated to be €20 million.[21]

Leeds United

On 10 August 2023, Rodon joined Leeds United on a season-long loan from Tottenham.[22] He made his league debut for Leeds United on 12 August 2023, when he came on as a 92nd-minute substitute for Jamie Shackleton in a 1–0 defeat at Birmingham City.[23]

On 2 July 2024, Rodon returned to Leeds United, this time on a permanent transfer for a reported fee of £10m.[24] He scored his first goal for The Whites in a 2–0 home win on 7 December 2024 over Derby County.[25] He has started every Championshp match in the 2024–25 season. He has been a defensive duo with fellow Welsh defender Ethan Ampadu. They were recently described as a “Welsh Wall” by Leeds United Manager Daniel Farke.[26]

Rodon played in a career-high 46 league games with Leeds during the 2024–25 season,[27] which saw them get promoted back to the Premier League and win the EFL Championship title. He was one of just three Leeds players to appear in every league game during the 2024–25 season, along with Brenden Aaronson and Joel Piroe.[28]

International career

Rodon with Wales at UEFA Euro 2020

He captained Wales under-20s at the 2017 Toulon Tournament.[4]

He was named in a preliminary senior Wales squad in May 2018 for a friendly against Mexico but was left out of the final selection.[29] He was called up for a competitive game for the first time for a September 2019 qualifier against Azerbaijan.[30] Rodon made his debut against Azerbaijan, playing all 90 minutes in a 2–1 win.[31] In May 2021 he was selected for the Wales squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[32]

In November 2022, Rodon was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[33] He went on to play every minute of Wales’ campaign as the team drew with the United States and lost to Iran and England, finishing bottom of Group B.[34]

On 6 June 2025 he scored his first goal for Wales in a 3–0 victory against Liechtenstein.[35]

Style of play

Rodon is a ball-playing centre-back, and has earned comparisons to John Stones.[36]

Personal life

Rodon’s father Keri played basketball for Wales.[37] His grandfather Peter, and his uncle Chris Rodon were also professional footballers,[38] whilst his older brother Sam was also a graduate of the Swansea City academy, though he failed to forge a professional career.[39]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 5 April 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Swansea City 2015–16[40] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2016–17[41] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2017–18[10] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2018–19[14] Championship 27 0 1 0 0 0 — — 28 0
2019–20[42] Championship 21 0 0 0 0 0 — — 21 0
2020–21[43] Championship 4 0 — 1 0 — — 5 0
Total 52 0 1 0 1 0 — — 54 0
Swansea City U23 2016–17[41] — — — — 4[c] 0 4 0
2017–18[10] — — — — 4[c] 0 4 0
Total — — — — 8 0 8 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2017–18[10] League Two 12 0 — — — — 12 0
Tottenham Hotspur 2020–21[43] Premier League 12 0 2 0 — 0 0 — 14 0
2021–22[44] Premier League 3 0 2 0 1 0 4[d] 0 — 10 0
Total 15 0 4 0 1 0 4 0 — 24 0
Rennes (loan) 2022–23[45] Ligue 1 16 1 1 0 — 5[e] 0 — 22 1
Leeds United (loan) 2023–24[46] Championship 43 0 4 0 — — 3[f] 0 50 0
Leeds United 2024–25[47] Championship 46 1 1 0 1 0 — — 48 1
2025–26[48] Premier League 29 2 2 0 0 0 — — 31 2
Leeds total 118 3 6 0 1 0 — 3 0 128 3
Career total 213 4 13 0 3 0 9 0 11 0 249 4
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Coupe de France
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

International

As of match played 31 March 2026[49]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Wales 2019 4 0
2020 6 0
2021 12 0
2022 11 0
2023 9 0
2024 8 0
2025 8 2
2026 2 0
Total 60 2
As of match played 6 June 2025. Wales’ score listed first, score column indicates score after each Rodon goal.
List of international goals scored by Joe Rodon
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 6 June 2025 Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 53  Liechtenstein 1–0 3–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 13 October 2025 56  Belgium 2–4

Honours

Swansea City U23

Leeds United

References

  1. ^ “Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed”. Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b “Joe Rodon: Overview”. Premier League. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  3. ^ “Wales-Ukraine | European Qualifiers 2022”. UEFA. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Fisher, Ben (7 October 2020). “Wales’ Joe Rodon has chance to show his worth against England”. The Guardian. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  5. ^ a b c Wathan, Chris (26 April 2016). “The talented youngsters pushing for first XI places”. WalesOnline. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  6. ^ a b c James, Stuart (16 October 2020). “The story of Tottenham’s new centre-back Joe Rodon, told by his parents”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  7. ^ “Cheltenham Town 1–2 Swansea City U21s”. Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  8. ^ “Joe Rodon: Cheltenham Town sign Swansea City defender on loan”. BBC Sport. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  9. ^ “New Signing: Joe Rodon”. Cheltenham Town F.C. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2017/2018”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  11. ^ Palmer, Jon (6 September 2019). “Swansea City’s former Cheltenham Town loanee makes Wales debut”. Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  12. ^ Gwilym, Andrew (11 August 2018). “Swans 1 Preston 0: Fulton’s fine header seals win for Potter”. Wales Online. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  13. ^ “Swansea defender Joe Rodon signs new contract”. Sky Sports. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  14. ^ a b “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2018/2019”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  15. ^ “Injury blow for Rodon”. Swansea City A.F.C. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  16. ^ “Joe Rodon completes move to Tottenham Hotspur”. Swansea City A.F.C. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  17. ^ “Joe Rodon: Tottenham sign Wales centre-back from Swansea for £11m”. BBC Sport. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  18. ^ Begley, Emlyn. “Burnley 0–1 Tottenham Hotspur”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  19. ^ Davies, Mathew (30 November 2020). “The unseen moment Tottenham’s Jose Mourinho went ‘crazy’ at Joe Rodon vs Chelsea and his telling verdict”. Wales Online.
  20. ^ Kilpatrick, Dan (29 November 2020). “Tottenham defender Joe Rodon vows to learn from Chelsea mistake after late let-off”. Evening Standard.
  21. ^ “Transferts : Joe Rodon (Tottenham) est prêté à Rennes”. L’Équipe (in French). 1 August 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  22. ^ “Leeds complete signing of Joe Rodon on season-long loan from Tottenham”. The Athletic. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  23. ^ Scott, Ged (12 August 2023). “Birmingham City 1–0 Leeds United”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  24. ^ Wobschall, Leon (2 July 2024). “Leeds United transfers: ‘Heartbroken’ Leeds sell Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur for £40m as Joe Rodon joins for £10m”. Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  25. ^ Aloia, Andrew (7 December 2024). “Leeds beat Derby 2–0 to regain Championship top spot”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  26. ^ Johnson, Isaac (20 January 2025). “Daniel Farke has say on Leeds United defence plans amid Struijk absence”. Leeds Live. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  27. ^ “Joe Rodon Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more”. FBref.com. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  28. ^ “Leeds United Team and Player Stats – 2024–25 CHA Season”. The Athletic. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  29. ^ “Hal Robson-Kanu not included in Wales squad for Mexico friendly”. BBC Sport. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  30. ^ “Ashley Williams: Wales captain left out of squad for Euro 2020 qualifier”. BBC Sport. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  31. ^ “Wales 2–1 Azerbaijan”. BBC Sport.
  32. ^ “Uncapped Colwill in Wales Euro 2020 squad”. BBC Sport.
  33. ^ 2022 Wales World Cup squad
  34. ^ “Rodon – 2022 FIFA World Cup Player Bio and Stats”. USA Today. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  35. ^ Dowling, Rob (6 June 2025). “Rodon, Wilson & Moore score in Liechtenstein win”. FAW. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  36. ^ “Celtic linked with Swansea defender Joe Rodon”. Daily Record. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  37. ^ “Rodon, Bale and the dream of more famous Wales fridge magnet moments | Elis James”. the Guardian. 24 June 2021.
  38. ^ James, Stuart (16 October 2020). “The story of Tottenham’s new centre-back Joe Rodon, told by his parents”. The Athletic.
  39. ^ Palmer, Jon (31 January 2018). “Loan signing from Swansea is third generation pro footballer”. Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  40. ^ “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2015/2016”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  41. ^ a b “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2016/2017”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  42. ^ “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2019/2020”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  43. ^ a b “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2020/2021”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  44. ^ “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2021/2022”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  45. ^ “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2022/2023”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  46. ^ “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2023/2024”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  47. ^ “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2024/2025”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  48. ^ “Games played by Joe Rodon in 2025/2026”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  49. ^ “Joe Rodon”. EU-Football.info. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  50. ^ “It’s a perfect end to the season, says King”. www.premierleague.com. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  51. ^ “Championship: 2024/25: Current table”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
    “Leeds: Squad details: 2024/25”. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2025.