Will Vaulks

Workington In August 2012, Vaulks joined Workington of the Conference North initially on a one-month loan. He made his senior debut on 22 August in a 1–0 loss to Chester, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute for Mark Boyd. His loan was subsequently extended twice before he signed a permanent deal with Workington at the beginning of December 2012. He went on to make 24 appearances in all competitions for the Cumbrian club, scoring the equaliser in a 2–1 win over Droylsden at Borough Park.

Falkirk In February 2013, due to a clause in his Workington contract that allowed him to leave for a professional club, he signed for Scottish Football League First Division side Falkirk. and ended the season with six appearances. In January 2014, Vaulks was called to a trial by English Championship club Blackburn Rovers. He played 42 games over the season, including all four of the play-off games as the club lost 2–1 to Hamilton Academical in the final. On 10 May 2014, he extended his contract with Falkirk until the end of May 2017.

Vaulks played the full 90 minutes of the 2015 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park on 30 May 2015, a 2–1 loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. A year later, he played again the play-offs as Falkirk were beaten to a place in the Scottish Premiership by Kilmarnock.

Rotherham United On 22 July 2016 Vaulks signed for Rotherham United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He scored on his Rotherham debut in a 2–2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on 6 August. He played 42 times in all competitions during the 2016–17 season as The Millers were relegated to League One. After drawing 2–2 away at Scunthorpe United in the first leg, he scored Rotherham's second in the return fixture as they progressed to the final 4–2 on aggregate. In the final he played the full 120 minutes as The Millers beat Shrewsbury Town to win the 2018 EFL League One play-off final and promotion back to the Championship. At the end of the season Vaulks was given the Rotherham United's Player of the Year award.

On 6 March 2019, Vaulks signed a one-year contract extension. Three days later as captain, he was sent off in the 28th minute of a 2–0 loss at South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, for a foul on George Baldock.

Cardiff City On 27 June 2019, Vaulks signed for Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, in a record sale for Rotherham. He made his debut on 10 August in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town as a second-half substitute in place of Gavin Whyte, and scored his first goal on New Year's Day at the end of a 6–1 loss at Queens Park Rangers.

Vaulks scored twice at home to Brentford on 26 December 2020, but in a 3–2 loss. The following 24 April, after coming on as a last-minute substitute, he was sent off in a 2–1 win over Wycombe Wanderers at the Cardiff City Stadium for a high challenge on Curtis Thompson. On 10 June 2022 Cardiff announced Vaulks would leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June.

Sheffield Wednesday On 21 June 2022, Vaulks joined Sheffield Wednesday following the expiration of his Cardiff City contract. He made his Wednesday debut against Portsmouth on 30 July as a substitute for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. On 1 October he scored his first goal for the club as the only goal of the game away to Port Vale. On 26 March 2024, Vaulks was awarded the EFL Championship Player in the Community for the third time. Will Vaulks won the clubs 2023–24 Player of the Season Award after being a vital cog in the midfield. Following the end of the 2023–24 season, the club had offered Vaulks a new contract.

Oxford United On 11 June 2024, it was confirmed Vaulks would join Oxford United on 1 July 2024. He made his debut against Norwich City on 10 August, starting the game in a 2–0 win. On 14 January 2025, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 league draw away against Plymouth Argyle.

Tranmere Rovers On 3 August 2026, Vaulks signed a two-year contract with hometown club Tranmere Rovers, returning to the club where he started his youth career in football. On 14 August, the eve of the beginning of the league season, he was named captain by manager Darrell Clarke.

International career Vaulks qualifies to play for Wales through his mother, and in March 2019 manager Ryan Giggs called him up to the national team for games against Slovakia and Trinidad and Tobago. He made his debut in the friendly against the latter team at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham on 20 March, playing the full match and assisting the only goal by Ben Woodburn in added time. He made his competitive debut on 8 June that year in a 2–1 defeat to Croatia.

Personal life Vaulks lost both of his grandfathers to suicide when he was a teenager. He has raised awareness for the suicide bereavement charity Baton of Hope.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Tranmere Rovers 2012–13 League One

Workington (loan) 2012–13

2012–13

Honours Falkirk Stirlingshire Cup: 2013–14 Scottish Cup runner-up: 2014–15

Sheffield Wednesday EFL League One play-offs: 2023

Individual PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2013–14 Scottish Championship Rotherham United Player of the Season: 2017–18 Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Season: 2023–24