Jake Eastwood

Jake Eastwood (born 3 October 1996) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Cambridge United.

Having come through the Sheffield United academy, he signed professional terms and made three first team appearances over a seven year period. He spent time on loan with Sheffield, Gainsborough Trinity, Mickleover Sports, Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United, Kilmarnock, Grimsby Town, Portsmouth and Rochdale. He joined Grimsby permanently ahead of the 2023–24 season.

Career Sheffield United Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Eastwood joined Sheffield United's youth academy at the age of 10. In his youth, he has spent time on loan with Sheffield, Gainsborough Trinity and Mickleover Sports for first team experience.

In April 2016, Eastwood was one of four youth players to sign professional terms with Sheffield United. He started the 2017–18 season as deputy to loanee Jamal Blackman, who himself was signed to cover for injured first team keeper Simon Moore. He started again in the Blades' next tie in the League Cup which ended in a 4–1 home defeat to the visitors Leicester City of the Premier League, which knocked the Blades out of the competition.

In November 2017, Eastwood signed a new long-term contract, committing to the Blades until 2020. Eastwood made his league debut for Sheffield United on 3 February 2018 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, replacing Simon Moore who was sent off in the 73rd minute.

On 5 July 2019, Eastwood joined Scunthorpe United on a season-long loan deal. After injuries to Sheffield United goalkeepers Simon Moore and Michael Verrips, he was recalled by his parent club in January 2020. As a result, he was on the bench for their Premier League game against West Ham United.

On 30 July 2020, Eastwood signed for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock on a six-month loan. He made his debut on 1 August 2020, in Kilmarnock's opening game of the season, away to Hibernian, however he had to be substituted at half-time due to injury. On 11 January 2021, he returned to Sheffield United after making two appearances in all competitions.

On 1 February 2021, Eastwood joined League Two side Grimsby Town on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season. Eastwood temporarily took over as first choice keeper having been favoured to regular James McKeown but an injury suffered in March limited him to 7 appearances.

On 7 September 2021, Eastwood signed for League One side Portsmouth on a seven-day emergency loan in order to play in an EFL Trophy tie against AFC Wimbledon. Portsmouth's first choice keeper Gavin Bazunu was on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, whilst his understudy Alex Bass was isolating due to COVID-19, Portsmouth lost the game 5–3.

Eastwood returned to Scotland by joining Scottish Premiership side Ross County on loan for the 2022-23 season. In January, Eastwood returned to Rochdale on loan until the end of the season having failed to make a league appearance in Scotland.

Grimsby Town On 4 July 2023, Eastwood returned to Grimsby Town signing a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Although signed as first choice goalkeeper, Eastwood found himself playing deputy to young loanee Harvey Cartwright for most of the season.

On 13 August 2024, in his first EFL Cup appearance for Grimsby Town, Eastwood saved twice and scored in a penalty shoot out, as they defeated Bradford City 1–1 (9–8 on penalties) in the first round of the tournament. In September 2024, Eastwood ruptured his patellar tendon after colliding with a goal post in a 3–2 victory over Carlisle United. Following surgery, he was ruled out for a period of six months. Eastwood served as the number 2 keeper for most of the season under Jordan Wright, however eventually he would take his place in the final several months of the season

On 7 May 2025, Grimsby announced the player would leave in June when his contract expired.

Cambridge United Following his release from Grimsby, Eastwood signed a one-year deal with Cambridge United.

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