Cole McGhee

Cole McGhee

Personal information
Full name	Cole James McGhee [1]
Date of birth	(2006-01-28) 28 January 2006 (age 20) [2]
Place of birth	Coventry, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position	Centre back
Team information
Current team	Sheffield Wednesday
Number	28
Youth career
0000–2022	Coventry City
2022–2024	Preston North End
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–2025	Preston North End	0	(0)
2025	→ Chorley (loan)	3	(0)
2025–	Sheffield Wednesday	10	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:45, 11 April 2026 (UTC)

Cole James McGhee (born 28 January 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One side Sheffield Wednesday.

Club career

Early career

McGhee joined Preston North End from Coventry City to start his scholarship in May 2022. ^[3] In the final year of his scholarship he joined National League North club Chorley on a work experience loan. ^{[4] [5]} He was released by Preston North End at the end of his contract in June 2025. ^[6]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 2 July 2025 he joined Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer. ^[7] He made his senior debut in the second round of the EFL Cup, starting against Leeds United where they went onto win on penalties. ^{[8] [9] [10]} On 29 December 2025, McGhee was originally named on the bench against Blackburn Rovers, before Liam Cooper pulled out during the warm-up, meaning McGhee would step into the starting lineup to make his Championship debut. ^{[11] [12]} Following the end of the 2025–26 season, the new ownership at Sheffield Wednesday exercised their one year option to keep him at the club until 2027. ^[13]

The following season, he picked up a shoulder injury in the final pre-season game against Accrington Stanley which would require surgery rulling him for the first few months of the season. ^[14]

Career statistics

As of end of 2025–26 season

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Preston North End	2024–25 [15]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Chorley (loan)	2024–25 [15]	National League North	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Sheffield Wednesday	2025–26 [16]	Championship	10	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	13	0
	2026–27 [17]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		10	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	13	0
Career total			13	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	16	0

References

1. "EFL Professional Retain List 2024-25" (PDF). English Football League. p. 30. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
2. "C. McGhee". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
3. "Ten New Scholars Sign Up Ahead Of 2022/23". Preston North End FC. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
4. "Cole McGhee signs in on loan". Chorley FC. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
5. "Preston North End defender secures local loan transfer". Lancashire Evening Post. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
6. "2025 Retained List". Preston North End FC. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
7. "Professional deals for six young Owls". Sheffield Wednesday FC. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
8. "Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
9. "Remarkable run continues after Dominic Calvert-Lewin misses". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
10. "Horvath's heroics stun Leeds as Sheffield Wednesday pull off Carabao Cup shock". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
11. "Sheff Wed & Blackburn playout goalless draw". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
12. "McGhee makes his mark". Sheffield Wednesday FC. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
13. "Owls confirm retained list". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
14. "Injury update ahead of Carabao Cup clash". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
15. "Games played by Cole McGhee in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
16. "Games played by Cole McGhee in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
17. "Games played by Cole McGhee in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2025.