Edward Albert Francis (born 11 September 1999) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Rochdale.
Club career Francis was born in Poynton and came through the academy system at Manchester City, joining them in the under-6 year-group. He captained the club's under-18 side in the final of the 2016–17 FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea, standing in for Joel Latibeaudiere, which City lost 6–2 on aggregate.
Having graduated from the academy in summer 2018, Francis joined Dutch Eerste Divisie side Almere City on loan for the 2018–19 season. During his time there he played predominantly for their development side, Jong Almere City, in the Tweede Divisie.
Francis was signed by Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2019 for an undisclosed fee. He signed a two-and-a-half-year with the option of a further year. On 18 February 2020, he was loaned out to Swiss club Grasshopper Club Zürich until the end of the season.Under-23 pair depart on loan, wolves.co.uk, 18 February 2020
On 15 December 2020, Francis signed for EFL League Two side Harrogate Town.
On 20 July 2021, Francis joined National League side Notts County on a two-year deal.
Following Notts County's promotion to the Football League at the end of the 2022–23 season, Francis was released by the club. Having impressed the previous season on loan at Gateshead, he returned to the club on a permanent basis in June 2023, signing a two-year contract.
In January 2024 he was hospitalised after fracturing his skull during a match. Francis started for Gateshead in the 2024 FA Trophy final win against Solihull Moors at Wembley Stadium.
On 4 July 2024, Francis signed for League One side Exeter City for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year deal with a club option to extend for a third.
On 10 February 2026, Francis returned to the National League, joining leaders Rochdale on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
International career Francis was called up to represent the England C team in March 2024. On 19 March, he made his debut in the 1–0 defeat to the Wales C team at Stebonheath Park.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester City U212017–18———31312018–19———0000Total——3131Jong Almere City (loan)2018–19Tweede Divisie8100000081Almere City (loan)2018–19Eerste Divisie1020000030Wolverhampton Wanderers U212019–20 ———2020Grasshopper (loan)2019–20Swiss Challenge League0000000000Harrogate Town2020–21 League Two201000000201Notts County2021–22 National League31110—103312022–23National League10110—00111Total412200010442Gateshead (loan)2022–23National League14000—00140Gateshead2023–24 National League40310—10423Total543100010563Exeter City2024–25League One4224000314932025-26 League One90101040150Total512501071643Career total17591001014220011
Honours Harrogate Town FA Trophy: 2019–20
Gateshead FA Trophy: 2023–24
Rochdale National League play-offs: 2026
References