Joe Lumley

Joseph Patrick Lumley is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday.

Born in Harlow, Essex, Lumley began playing with local junior side Buckhurst Hill before joining Tottenham Hotspur’s academy at the age of 10.

He spent several years with Tottenham before being released in 2010 and subsequently joined Queens Park Rangers, where he completed his scholarship and progressed into the professional squad.

Lumley signed his first professional contract with QPR in May 2013.

During the early stages of his career, he gained senior experience through loan spells with Bishop’s Stortford, Accrington Stanley, Morecambe and Stevenage.

He made his QPR debut on 9 January 2016, starting an FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest. His Championship debut followed three days later in a 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Lumley continued his development during further loans with Bristol Rovers and Blackpool. He kept eight clean sheets in 19 League One appearances for Bristol Rovers before returning to Loftus Road.

He established himself as QPR’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2018/19 season, making 46 appearances in all competitions and recording 16 clean sheets.

Lumley remained with QPR until 2021 and made 84 senior appearances for the club.

He joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer in July 2021 after turning down a new contract with QPR.

Lumley became Middlesbrough’s regular goalkeeper and made 42 appearances during the 2021/22 campaign.

He played an important role in the club’s FA Cup run, helping Boro defeat Manchester United on penalties at Old Trafford before keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Middlesbrough eventually reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Chelsea.

Lumley joined Reading on a season-long loan in June 2022 and established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

He made 42 appearances during the 2022/23 season and was named Reading’s Players’ Player of the Season despite the club’s relegation from the Championship.

After returning to Middlesbrough, Lumley joined Southampton on a free transfer in August 2023.

He made his Saints debut in a 4–0 FA Cup victory over Walsall in January 2024 and was part of the squad that won promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.

Lumley made his Premier League debut against Brighton & Hove Albion in November 2024 at the age of 29.

He made eight appearances across two seasons with Southampton before leaving when his contract expired in June 2025.

Bristol City signed Lumley on a two-year contract later that month.

He provided experienced competition within the club’s goalkeeping group and featured in cup competitions during the first half of the 2025/26 season.

On 21 October 2025, Lumley joined Sheffield Wednesday on an initial seven-day emergency loan after the Owls were left short of available goalkeepers.

He started two Championship fixtures during the brief spell before returning to Bristol City.

Sheffield Wednesday completed Lumley’s permanent signing on 11 July 2026.

He arrived on a free transfer and signed a two-year contract at Hillsborough following Pierce Charles’ move to Manchester City.

Lumley joined the Owls with more than 200 senior appearances and extensive experience across the Championship and the wider English football pyramid.

He is an experienced and vocal goalkeeper who is comfortable organising the defence in front of him.

Lumley is known for his shot-stopping, physical presence and willingness to command his penalty area. He is also comfortable receiving possession and distributing from the back.

His experience as a regular Championship goalkeeper and his previous spell with Wednesday added leadership and familiarity to the squad ahead of the 2026/27 League One campaign.