Luke Matheson

Luke Alexander Matheson (born 3 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Macclesfield.

A product of the youth team at Rochdale, he made his first team debut at the age of 15 and became the club's youngest ever player. At the age of 16 he scored an equaliser against Manchester United in an EFL Cup game at Old Trafford to take the game to a penalty shootout. He earned a move to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, and was loaned to Rochdale and then Ipswich Town, Hamilton Academical and Scunthorpe United. In 2023, he left Wolves without making a senior appearance and moved to Bolton Wanderers. At Bolton, he made seven appearances, all in cup competitions, and scored once, while being loaned to Bohemians and Alfreton Town. He is a former England U17 and England U18 international with a combined total of six caps.

Club career Rochdale Matheson was born in Fallowfield, Manchester. He attended Trinity Church of England High School in Hulme, Manchester. Progressing through Rochdale's academy, Matheson made his first-team debut on 4 September 2018, during their EFL Trophy group-stage tie against Bury at the age of 15 years and 336 days, making him the club's youngest ever debutant. As well as this, Matheson was awarded with the man-of-the-match award for his performance in the 2–1 victory.

On 19 January 2019, Matheson made his English Football League debut in a 1–1 League One draw at home to Fleetwood Town, as a half-time substitute for Matt Done.

On 25 September 2019, at the age of just 16, he scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Manchester United in the EFL Cup third round at Old Trafford, which Dale eventually lost 5–3 on penalties. On 31 October, he signed a three-year professional contract with the club, having turned 17 earlier in the month.

Matheson scored his first league goal on 11 January 2020, opening a 2–0 home win over Bolton Wanderers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers On 31 January 2020, Matheson signed for Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, before re-joining Rochdale on loan for the remainder of the season. The transfer fee was £1 million. During his time at Wolves he struggled with injury, missing almost two entire season with various injuries.

In 2026, Matheson described his time at Wolves as "torrid" due to injuries and "a step backwards" due to going from senior to under-23 football. He made two appearances for Ipswich before returning to Wolves at the end of his loan spell. He played a total of nine Scottish Championship games and two games in the Scottish League Challenge Cup. He was recalled by Wolves to facilitate a move to Scunthorpe United.

Scunthorpe United (loan) On 15 January 2022, Matheson signed for League Two club Scunthorpe United, for the remainder of the season. This would see him reunite with ex-Rochdale boss, Keith Hill. He made his debut on the same day, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 loss against Exeter City.

Matheson was released by Wolves at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Bolton Wanderers On 1 August 2023, Matheson completed a move to EFL League One side Bolton Wanderers on a one-year contract following a successful trial spell. He was initially assigned to the club's B team. He made his debut on 6 September in a 3–0 home win over Salford City in the EFL Trophy. Three weeks later he scored his only goal in seven games for the club (all in cups), coming on as a substitute in an 8–1 win against Manchester United under-21 in the same competition. On 19 December, he and fellow B-Team prospect Conor Carty signed new deals up to 2025 that would also promote them to the first-team squad.

Matheson joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Bohemians on 22 February 2024, on a four-month loan deal.

On 22 February 2025, Matheson joined National League North side Alfreton Town on loan for the remainder of the season.

Bolton confirmed on 7 May 2025 that Matheson would leave at the end of his contract.

Macclesfield On 26 July 2025, Matheson joined newly promoted National League North side Macclesfield. He signed as a part-time player while coaching their under-8 team.

International career In February 2019, Matheson made his international debut for the England under-17 team against France.

On 11 October 2019, Matheson made his England U18 debut during a 5–2 win away to Poland.

Personal life Matheson's parents were both teachers. Due to his serious injuries, he considered life after football, and in September 2025, he graduated with a diploma in sporting directorship through the Professional Footballers' Association business school, graduating alongside Tim Krul and Adrian Mariappa.

Matheson became friends with Ethan McLeod as both were rehabilitating at the same time at Wolverhampton Wanderers. They both signed for Macclesfield in 2025, but due to injuries only played together once, three days before McLeod's death at age 21. Matheson reflected "You don't realise how much a person almost saved you until they're not there anymore". League One

2019–20 League One

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2019–20 Premier League

2021–22 Premier League

2022–23 Premier League

2021–22 League One

2024–25 League One

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