Callum James Cooke (born 21 February 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for New Zealand Central League club Napier City Rovers.
Born in Peterlee, Cooke started his career with Middlesbrough, signing his first professional contract in June 2014. After loan spells with Crewe Alexandra and Blackpool, Cooke left Middlesbrough permanently in 2018 to sign with Peterborough United. Cooke spent a loan spell with Bradford City before moving there permanently in 2020. After two seasons with Bradford, he returned to the North East, signing for Hartlepool United in 2022. Cooke left Hartlepool in June 2024 but did not sign for another club until January 2025 when he moved to Morecambe on a short-term deal. He left Morecambe at the end of the 2024–25 season following the expiration of his contract.
He has also represented England at youth level, up until U18 level.
Career
Middlesbrough Cooke began his career with Middlesbrough's Academy and he signed a professional contract with the club in June 2014. He played for Middlesbrough U23s in two EFL Trophy ties in 2016, scoring one goal.
In January 2017 Cooke joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on loan. He made his professional debut on 4 February 2017 in a 4–0 defeat away at Exeter City, then scored on his home debut in a 5–0 win over Grimsby Town on 11 February. On 9 May 2017, Crewe announced that Cooke would be returning to his parent club.Crewe Alexandra Retained List 2017 , CreweAlex.net. Retrieved: 9 May 2017.
On 18 July 2017, Cooke joined League One club Blackpool on loan until the end of the season.
Peterborough United On 30 July 2018, Cooke signed for League One side Peterborough United on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
He was transfer-listed by Peterborough United at the end of the 2018–19 season. He moved on loan to Bradford City in August 2019 for the 2019–20 season. His loan expired on 1 May 2020. Cooke left Peterborough at the end of the 2019–20 season following the expiration of his contract. In total, Cooke played 20 times for The Posh in all competitions, scoring once.
Bradford City He returned to Bradford City in July 2020, signing a permanent two-year contract. He made his first appearance as a permanent Bradford player was in an EFL Cup defeat against Bolton Wanderers on 5 September 2020. In November 2020, Cooke scored his first goal for the Bantams in a 3–0 home win against Southend United. In the 2020–21 season, Cooke made 38 appearances in all competitions for Bradford scoring three times. Cooke was released by the club at the end of the 2021–22 season. Including his loan spell with Bradford, Cooke made a total of 112 appearances in all competitions and scored six times for the club.
Hartlepool United On 6 July 2022, following his departure from Bradford, Cooke decided to join League Two side Hartlepool United on a two-year deal. Cooke scored his first Hartlepool goal in a 3–1 win against Harrogate Town in the FA Cup. He scored his first league goal on Boxing Day in 2022 which was a late 25-yard free kick in a 2–1 win at Rochdale.
In September 2023, it was announced that Cooke would be ruled out for several months due to an ankle injury sustained in training. However, he returned to the Hartlepool side sooner than expected in November 2023 and was praised by Pools manager John Askey upon his return to the side. Cooke provided all three assists in a 3–1 away win against York City early in his return to action. He was released by Hartlepool United at the end of the 2023–24 season having made 76 appearances in his two seasons with the club, scoring 11 times.
Morecambe On 15 January 2025, Cooke signed a six-month contract with League Two club Morecambe. At the end of the 2024–25 season, following Morecambe's relegation, Cooke's contract was not renewed.
In January 2026, still without a club, Cooke began training with his former side Hartlepool in order to regain fitness. Pools boss Nicky Featherstone told the local press: "He's wanting to go abroad, so it was just a case of helping him get fit, nothing more than that."
Napier City Rovers In March 2026, Cooke joined New Zealand Central League club Napier City Rovers.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMiddlesbrough2015–16Championship000000—002016–17Premier League000000—002017–18Championship00———00Total000000—00Middlesbrough U232016–17———2121Crewe Alexandra (loan)2016–17League Two184———184Blackpool (loan)2017–18League One302100030342Peterborough United2018–19League One131101050201Bradford City (loan)2019–20League Two250100010270 Bradford City2020–21League Two3432020003832021–22League Two422201120473Total765403130856Hartlepool United2022–23League Two3444110104052023–24National League355000011366Total6994110217611Morecambe2024–25League Two181000000181Napier City Rovers2026National League14641——187Career total263281525115229833
Honours Napier City Rovers Central League: 2026
Individual Central League MVP: 2026
References
External links
England profile at The Football Association