Joe Gelhardt

Joseph Paul Gelhardt (born 4 May 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Hull City.

Club career Wigan Athletic Born in Liverpool, Gelhardt grew up in Netherton, Merseyside, where he attended Chesterfield High School. He joined Wigan Athletic at the age of ten in 2013, progressing through the youth teams before being offered a scholarship deal in 2017. He made his professional debut for Wigan Athletic on 14 August 2018, appearing as a substitute against Rotherham United in the first round of the EFL Cup.

On 24 August 2018, he signed his first professional contract with the club.

Gelhardt made 19 appearances in all competitions with 18 coming in the EFL Championship during the 2019–20 season, as Wigan were relegated from the Championship after a 12-point penalty saw them drop into the relegation places.

Leeds United On 10 August 2020, Gelhardt signed a four-year contract with Premier League club Leeds United. Gelhardt made his Premier League debut for Leeds on 16 October as a second-half substitute in the 1–0 defeat to Southampton. On 11 December 2021, Gelhardt scored his first goal for Leeds in a 2–3 away league defeat to rivals Chelsea and he netted his second on 13 March 2022: a dramatic added-time 2–1 winner at Elland Road against Norwich City.

In the 2022–23 season, Gelhardt's 10 appearances through the end of October were mostly limited to late substitutions, mostly for Sinisterra and Rodrigo, allowing little time for him to impress himself on the direction of the game.

Loan to Sunderland On 27 January 2023, Gelhardt joined Championship play-off pushing side Sunderland on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season. He scored his first goal for Sunderland on 21 February 2023 in a 2–1 defeat to Rotherham United.

Return to Leeds Under new manager Daniel Farke, Gerhardt did not feature prominently in the 2023–24 season, and even less frequently during the first five months of the 2024–25 season, making only two league appearances as a late substitute.

Loan to Hull City On 15 January 2025, Gelhardt joined fellow Championship side Hull City on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season. He made his debut on 18 January 2025, as a 63rd-minute substitute for Mason Burstow in the 1–0 away win against Millwall. He made his full debut on 21 January scoring Hull's goal in the 2–1 home defeat by Queens Park Rangers.

On 9 August 2025, Gelhardt returned to Hull City on a season-long loan spell from Leeds.

Gelhardt tallied a career-high 14 goals and 4 assists in the EFL Championship on loan with Hull City during the 2025–26 season and helped the club get promoted back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 with a win in the Play-Off Final against Middlesbrough.

Hull City On 15 August 2026, Gelhardt signed a four-year contract with Premier League club Hull City, for a fee of £6.5 million.

International career Gelhardt scored for the England under-16 team in a 3–3 draw against Brazil at the 2018 Montaigu Tournament.

In September 2018, Gelhardt scored twice for the England under-17 team against Norway and also came off the bench to score against Belgium. The following month saw him score against the United States and twice in a game against Russia. In March 2019, Gelhardt scored in a 3–2 win against Denmark that confirmed qualification for the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. In April 2019, Gelhardt was included in the England U17 squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championships and scored in a 3–1 victory over Sweden under-17s as the Young Lions bowed out of the competition at the group stage.

Gelhardt made his U18 debut as a 79th-minute substitute during the 3–2 win over Australia at Hinckley Leicester Road on 6 September 2019. On 2 October 2020, Gelhardt was named in the England U19 squad.

On 6 September 2021, Gelhardt made his debut for the England U20s scoring a brace during a 6–1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park.

Gelhardt received his first call up to the England U21s on 4 October 2021, as an injury replacement for Noni Madueke.

Style of play Gelhardt is left footed and plays mainly as a striker; he can also play as a second striker, wide forward or as an attacking midfielder. He is known for his dribbling, power and build-up play; his style has been compared to that of Wayne Rooney.

Personal life Gelhardt supported Premier League club Liverpool growing up.

Career statistics

Honours Hull City EFL Championship play-offs: 2026