Reece Welch

Reece Welch
Personal information
Full name Reece Belfield Welch
Date of birth (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 23)
Place of birth Huddersfield, England
Height 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Bradford City
Number 2
Youth career
2010–2022 Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2026 Everton 0 (0)
2023 → Forest Green Rovers (loan) 17 (0)
2024 → Deinze (loan) 2 (0)
2026– Bradford City 2 (0)
International career‡
2019 England U16 4 (0)
2017 England U17 1 (0)
2021 England U19 1 (0)
2021–2022 England U20 4 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 October 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 19:31, 27 September 2022 (UTC)

Reece Belfield Welch (born 19 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League One club Bradford City.

Club career

Welch joined the Everton academy at the age of 7. In September 2020, he signed his first professional contract with the club, signing on for three years. On 3 March 2022, Welch made his professional debut as a substitute in the 2–0 FA Cup victory over Boreham Wood.

On 10 August 2023, Welch joined League Two club Forest Green Rovers on a season-long loan deal. On 3 January 2024, he was recalled by Everton after making 23 appearances in all competitions.

On 6 September 2024, Welch joined Challenger Pro League club Deinze on a season-long loan deal. He returned to Everton in December 2024 after Deinze was declared bankrupt and ceased operations.

On 9 June 2026, Everton announced that they were releasing Welch at the expiration of his contract that summer.

On 5 August 2026, Welch signed a 2-year contract with EFL League One club Bradford City.

International career

Born in England, Welch is of Jamaican descent. He has played for England at various youth international levels.

Career statistics

Club

As of end of 2025–26 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Everton U21 2021–22 ———3030
2022–23 ———4040
2024–25 ———1010
2025–26 ———1010
Total ———9090
Everton 2021–22 Premier League 001000—10
2022–23 Premier League 000010—10
2023–24 Premier League 0000——00
2024–25 Premier League 000000—00
2025–26 Premier League 001000—10
Total 002010—30
Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2023–24 League Two 17030—40240
Deinze (loan) 2024–25 Challenger Pro League 2010——30
Career total 1906010130390
  1. ↑ Includes FA Cup, Belgian Cup
  2. ↑ Includes EFL Cup
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ↑ "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists". premierleague.com. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "Player Profiles Everton Football Club". Everton F.C. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "ENGLAND YOUTH INTERNATIONAL WELCH PENS FIRST EVERTON PRO DEAL". Everton F.C. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  4. ↑ "Everton 2-0 Boreham Wood". BBC Sport. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Welch joins on season-long loan". www.fgr.co.uk. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Forest Green sign Everton defender Welch on loan" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ↑ "WELCH RETURNS FROM LOAN SPELL". Everton. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "KMSK Deinze Verwelkomt Reece Welch" [KMSK Deinze Welcomes Reece Welch]. kmskdeinze.be (in Dutch). 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  9. ↑ "Deinze is failliet: Gevolgen voor clubs, spelers én hele competitie". VoetbalPrimeur.be (in Belgian Dutch). 11 December 2024. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Everton announce 12 departures as Idrissa Gueye contract update given". 9 June 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "Bradford sign former Everton defender Welch". 5 August 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Welch, Reece Welch - Footballer". www.bdfutbol.com.
  13. ↑ Reece Welch at WorldFootball.net
  14. ↑ Reece Welch at Soccerway. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Games played by Reece Welch in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Games played by Reece Welch in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  17. 1 2 "Games played by Reece Welch in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  18. 1 2 "Games played by Reece Welch in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  19. 1 2 "Games played by Reece Welch in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2025.