Shola Shoretire

Shola Maxwell Shoretire (born 2 February 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a winger for Super League Greece club PAOK.

Shoretire was a part of Manchester United's youth system from a young age and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in the 2020–21 season. He signed his first professional contract in February 2021, at the age of 17, and made his first-team debut later that month in a Premier League game against Newcastle United. He holds the record as the youngest player to represent Manchester United in European competition.

Shoretire has played youth international football for England at under-15, under-16, under-18, and under-19 levels. He is also eligible to represent Nigeria at international level.

Club career

Early career As a child, Shoretire played with Whitley Bay Boys Club, Newcastle City Juniors, Wallsend Boys Club, Hebburn Town and Cramlington Juniors. He was also briefly part of Manchester City's youth setup, but left to join rivals Manchester United at the age of nine.

Manchester United Shoretire quickly rose through the youth ranks of the Red Devils, frequently playing a year up his own age. In December 2018, he became the youngest ever player to appear in the UEFA Youth League at the age of 14 years and 314 days. In 2020, after impressing with the under-18s, Neil Wood, coach of the under-23s, handed him his under-23s debut when he was just 16. He scored a hat-trick in a 6–4 win for the under-23s against Blackburn Rovers in February 2021.

Shoretire signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on 8 February 2021, a week after turning 17. Four days later, he became United's youngest player to make an appearance in a European competition, coming on as a substitute for Mason Greenwood in a 0–0 home draw against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League at the age of 17 years and 23 days, beating the record set by Norman Whiteside 38 years earlier by 108 days. For his performances with the youth teams, Shoretire was named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for 2020–21.

Loan to Bolton On 19 January 2023, Shoretire officially joined EFL League One club Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season. He was cup-tied as Bolton went on to win the 2022–23 EFL Trophy (having played against Bolton for Man United U21 earlier in the season). On 8 May 2023, he scored his first league goal in senior football, scoring the first goal in a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers.

On 5 June 2024, United confirmed they were in talks with Shoretire about a new contract.

PAOK On 30 July 2024, Shoretire signed with the Super League Greece club PAOK on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Manchester United.

On 2 September 2025, Shoretire joined Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle on loan.

International career As Shoretire was born in England to a Nigerian father and English mother, he is eligible to represent both nations at international level.

He made one appearance for the England under-15 team, in a friendly against Belgium in February 2019. He made two appearances for the England under-16 team in August 2019, against Denmark and the Republic of Ireland. On 29 March 2021, Shoretire made his debut and only appearance for the England under-18 team during a 2–0 away victory over Wales at the Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff.

On 2 September 2021, Shoretire made his debut for England at under-19 level during a 2–0 victory over Italy at St. George's Park. He made four appearances for the under-19 team. + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2020–21

2021–22

2022–23

2020–21 League One

2024–25 Super League Greece

2025–26 Super League Greece

PEC Zwolle (loan) 2025–26

Individual Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2020–21 Eredivisie Talent of the Month: January 2026