Tom Atcheson

Last updated
Tom Atcheson
Tom Atcheson 14032026 (3).jpg
Atcheson in 2026.
Personal information
Full name Tom Joseph Atcheson [1]
Date of birth (2006-09-22) 22 September 2006 (age 20)
Place of birth Blackpool, England
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Blackburn Rovers
Number 6
Youth career
2017–2023 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2023– Blackburn Rovers 22 (0)
2024 → Marine (loan) 14 (0)
International career‡
2023 Northern Ireland U17 3 (0)
2024 Northern Ireland U18 2 (0)
2023–2024 Northern Ireland U19 8 (0)
2025– Northern Ireland U21 5 (0)
2026– Northern Ireland 6 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 01:47, 15 October 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 01:13, 15 October 2026 (UTC)

Tom Joseph Atcheson (born 22 September 2006) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Blackburn Rovers and the Northern Ireland national team. [2]

Contents

Club career

Atcheson was born in Blackpool, England and attended Rossall School in nearby Fleetwood. [3] He joined Blackburn Rovers at under-12 level. [4] He made his senior debut in the EFL Cup against Harrogate Town and also featured for the club in the FA Cup against Wrexham during the 2023–24 season. [5] On 29 February 2023, he signed his first professional contract with Blackburn until 2026. [6]

He spent time on loan at Marine during the 2024–25 season. [7] In November 2024, he signed a new four-year contract with Blackburn. [4]

On 20 December 2025, he debuted in the EFL Championship with Blackburn in a 2–0 win over Millwall. [8]

International career

A Northern Ireland youth international, qualifying through his grandparents, he featured for Northern Ireland U19 at the European U19 Championships in 2024. [9] [10]

Atcheson earned his first senior call-up to the Northern Ireland national team as an injury replacement for Daniel Ballard, with his Blackburn Rovers manager Michael O'Neill selecting him ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off against Italy. [11] He made his senior debut on 31 March 2026 as an 80th minute substitute in a 1–1 friendly draw with Wales at Cardiff City Stadium. [12]

Atcheson made his full debut in a friendly match against Guinea on 4 June 2026, scoring his first senior goal in the match to help secure a 1–0 victory. He was later sent off in the second half after receiving a straight red card. [13] [14]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 13 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blackburn Rovers 2023–24 [15] Championship 0010100020
2024–25 [16] [17] Championship0000000000
2025–26 [18] Championship140100000150
2026–27 [19] Championship800010—90
Total220202000260
Marine (loan) 2024–25 [16] [17] National League North 140———140
Career total360202000400

International

As of match played 5 October 2026 [2] [17]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Northern Ireland 202661
Total61
List of international goals scored by Tom Atcheson
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 June 2026 Estadio Municipal de La Línea de la Concepción, La Línea de la Concepción, Spain Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 1–01–0 Friendly

References

  1. ↑ "Tom Joseph Atcheson". beIN SPORTS.
  2. 1 2 "Tom Atcheson". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "Rossall News". Rossall. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Blackburn Rovers prospect Atcheson signs long-term contract". Lancashire Telegraph. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "Rovers youngster Atcheson pens new four-year deal". BBC Sport. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  6. ↑ https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/september/29/young-defender-signs-pro-deal/
  7. ↑ Mail, Harry (7 August 2024). "Blackburn Rovers prospect given green light to head out on loan". The72. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers hat-trick a reminder of biggest asset and sliding doors moments". Lancashire Telegraph. 22 December 2025.
  9. ↑ Barnes, Dan (14 July 2024). "Blackburn Rovers duo set for U19 Euros with Northern Ireland". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  10. ↑ Jackson, Elliott (22 July 2024). "Blackburn Rovers starlets' Euros dream comes to an end". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Ballard out, Atcheson in for Northern Ireland". IFA. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  12. ↑ Pritchard, Dafydd (31 March 2026). "Wales 1-1 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport . Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  13. ↑ Gray, Andy. "Northern Ireland 1-0 Guinea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2026-06-04.
  14. ↑ Luney, Graham. "It was far from a perfect night, but Michael O'Neill's young side will use win over Guinea as a building block" . Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Games played by Tom Atcheson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Tom Atcheson Career History". Opta Analyst. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 "Atcheson, Tom". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  18. ↑ "Games played by Tom Atcheson in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  19. ↑ "Games played by Tom Atcheson in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
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