Callum (Cal) Roberts (born 14 April 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Notts County.
Early career Roberts joined Newcastle United at the age of eight and also played youth football for Whitley Bay Sproggs while attending Churchill Community College in Wallsend.
While still at school during the 2012–13 season, Roberts scored eight goals in nine league appearances for the Newcastle United Under-18s in the 2012–13 Professional U18 Development League.
He officially joined the Newcastle United Academy the following season and made 19 appearances for the Under-18s in the 2013–14 Professional U18 Development League, scoring four goals. He also made two appearances in the FA Youth Cup as Newcastle United reached the Quarter Finals of the competition. He also made the step up to Under-21 level, making ten appearances in the 2013–14 Professional U21 Development League and scoring his first goal at that level in their match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Club career
Newcastle United
On 3 January 2015, Roberts made his senior debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in an FA Cup match against Leicester City, a match which Leicester City won 1–0. At the end of January 2015, he signed his first professional contract with Newcastle United, committing himself to his hometown club on a long-term deal.
On 15 January 2019, Roberts scored his first goal for Newcastle in a 4–2 FA Cup win against Blackburn Rovers.
He was released by Newcastle after the 2018–19 season.
Gateshead (loan) Shortly after making his Newcastle United debut, on 16 January 2015, it was announced that he joined Football Conference side and near-neighbours Gateshead on a month-long loan deal. This deal was later extended to a season-long deal, but he was recalled on 26 February to provide injury cover at Newcastle United, having made three appearances during his spell at Gateshead.
Kilmarnock (loan) On 9 January 2017, Roberts moved on loan to Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock for the remainder of the season, along with Newcastle teammates Freddie Woodman and Sean Longstaff. He made his debut on 21 January 2017, as Kilmarnock lost 1–0 against Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Cup.
Colchester United (loan) On 31 January 2019, Roberts joined League Two side Colchester United on loan for the rest of the season. He made his club debut as a substitute in Colchester's 4–0 win at Northampton Town on 2 February. He returned to Newcastle on 13 March 2019.
Blyth Spartans Roberts joined Blyth Spartans A.F.C. initially on a non-contract basis in August 2019. An impressive form saw him score nine goals in nine games. This included hat-tricks against Curzon Ashton F.C. during FA Cup qualifying and also against AFC Telford United in the National League North. Roberts subsequently secured a contract with Spartans in October 2019 and went on to score a third hat-trick of the season the following month in a 4–4 draw away to Kettering Town F.C in a league tie. He would go on to score goals in back-back derby matches in the league against Gateshead F.C. during a festive double-header league ties where Spartans won 3–2 away on Boxing Day and drew 2–2 at home on New Year's Day. Roberts left Spartans later in January 2020 moving to Notts County F.C. for an undisclosed fee.
Notts County On 20 January 2020, Roberts joined National League side Notts County. He signed until the 2020–21 season. On 13 November 2020 he signed an extension until 2022–23.
Aberdeen In July 2022, Roberts signed for Aberdeen for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.
Scunthorpe United In June 2023, Roberts joined recently relegated National League North side Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee. He picked up a National League North Player of the Month award in October 2024, his first award for the club.
Return to Notts County On 29 May 2026, it was announced that Roberts had re-signed for EFL League One club Notts County, four years after leaving for Aberdeen, on an initial two-year deal with an option of a further year.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNewcastle United2014–15Premier League001000—102015–16Premier League000000—002016–17Championship000000—002018–19Premier League001100—11Total002100—21Gateshead (loan)2014–15Conference Premier3000—0030Kilmarnock (loan)2016–17Scottish Premiership1001000—110Newcastle United U212017–18———20202018–19———5353Total———7373Colchester United (loan)2018–19League Two30———30Blyth Spartans2019–20National League North251700—002517Notts County2019–20National League8300—221052020–21National League9100—00912021–22National League361620—103916Total532020—325822Aberdeen2022–23Scottish Premiership301000—40Scunthorpe United2023–24National League North17400—101842024–25National League North402000—1141212025–26National League401821—214420Total974221—3210345Career total19179820013721688
Honours Scunthorpe United National League North play-offs: 2025
Individual National League North Player of the Month: October 2024 National League North Team of the Season: 2024–25 National League Team of the Season: 2025–26
References
External links
Newcastle United profile