Jay Matete

Jay Matete (born 11 February 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for EFL League One club Milton Keynes Dons

Matete was part of the youth academy at Reading before joining Fleetwood Town. He went on to have a loan spell with Grimsby Town before joining Sunderland in 2022. He was also part of the Plymouth Argyle squad that won the EFL League One title in 2023 following a successful loan spell.

Career Fleetwood Town In May 2018, Matete signed for Fleetwood Town's academy, following a spell at Reading. During the 2019–20 EFL Trophy, he made two appearances for Fleetwood Town, once against Liverpool U21 and once against Oldham Athletic.

Grimsby Town (loan) On 21 January 2021, Matete signed for Grimsby Town on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season. During his loan spell, Matete made 20 appearances for The Mariners, scoring his first goal for the club just 32 seconds into a EFL League Two match against Bolton Wanderers which Grimsby Town won 2–1.

He scored the winner in a 2–1 win at Oldham Athletic, with a brilliant solo strike having run from the halfway line before hitting a shot into the top corner. A few days later, he scored again away at Exeter City to give The Mariners a 2–1 lead, but was later sent off as Grimsby eventually lost 3–2 confirming relegation from the Football League. The club appealed his red card but this was turned down effectively ending his season.

Sunderland On 31 January 2022, Matete signed for fellow EFL League One side Sunderland on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

On 6 January 2023, Matete signed for Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.

On 8 August 2024, Matete signed for Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season.

Milton Keynes Dons On 9 January 2026, Matete joined EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee, ending his four-year association with Sunderland. He made his league debut for the club on 17 January 2026, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 2–0 away win over Accrington Stanley.

On 17 February 2026, Matete suffered a hamstring injury during a 0–0 home draw with Crawley Town, which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. Despite missing much of the second half of the season, Matete achieved the third promotion of his career as the club finished second-place and returned to League One.

Career statistics

Honours

Sunderland EFL League One play-offs: 2022

Plymouth Argyle EFL League One: 2022–23 EFL Trophy runner-up: 2022–23