Joe Lumley Biography

Joe Lumley is an English professional goalkeeper who joined Sheffield Wednesday permanently in July 2026.

An experienced shot-stopper with more than 200 senior appearances, Lumley has represented clubs across the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and non-league football.

Before completing his permanent move to Hillsborough, he made two appearances for Wednesday during a short emergency loan spell from Bristol City in October 2025.

Early Life and Youth Career

Joseph Patrick Lumley was born in Harlow, Essex, on 15 February 1995.

He began playing football with local junior side Buckhurst Hill before being scouted by Tottenham Hotspur at the age of 10.

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

Queens Park Rangers

Lumley signed his first professional contract with Queens Park Rangers in May 2013.

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

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

Lumley continued his development through productive loans with Bristol Rovers and Blackpool. He kept eight clean sheets in 19 League One appearances during his spell with Bristol Rovers.

After returning to QPR, Lumley became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2018/19 season. He made 46 appearances in all competitions and recorded 16 clean sheets.

He remained at Loftus Road until 2021, making 84 senior appearances for the club across all competitions.

Middlesbrough

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

He became Boro’s regular goalkeeper during the 2021/22 campaign and made 42 appearances in all competitions.

Lumley played a notable role in Middlesbrough’s FA Cup run. He helped the club defeat Manchester United on penalties at Old Trafford before keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 fifth-round victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

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

Reading Loan

Lumley joined Reading on a season-long loan in June 2022.

He established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and made 42 appearances during the 2022/23 campaign.

Although Reading were relegated from the Championship, Lumley’s individual performances were recognised when he was named the club’s Players’ Player of the Season.

Southampton

Lumley joined Southampton on a free transfer in August 2023.

Initially signed as an experienced option within the goalkeeping group, he made his Saints debut in a 4–0 FA Cup victory over Walsall in January 2024.

Lumley made eight appearances across his two seasons with Southampton. He was part of the squad that won promotion to the Premier League through the 2024 Championship play-offs.

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

Lumley left Southampton following the expiration of his contract in June 2025.

Bristol City

Bristol City signed Lumley on a two-year contract in June 2025.

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

In October 2025, Lumley was permitted to join Sheffield Wednesday on a short-term emergency loan.

Emergency Sheffield Wednesday Loan

Lumley joined Wednesday on an initial seven-day emergency loan from Bristol City on 21 October 2025.

The move followed a goalkeeping shortage at Hillsborough, with Ethan Horvath suspended and Pierce Charles unavailable through injury.

Lumley started two Championship fixtures during his brief spell with the Owls before returning to Bristol City.

The loan gave him previous experience of the club, stadium and squad before his permanent arrival the following summer.

Permanent Sheffield Wednesday Move

Sheffield Wednesday completed the permanent signing of Lumley on 11 July 2026.

He joined the Owls from Bristol City on a free transfer and signed a two-year contract at Hillsborough.

Lumley returned following the departure of Pierce Charles, who had completed a transfer to Manchester City the previous day.

His arrival gave Wednesday an experienced goalkeeper with extensive Championship experience ahead of the 2026/27 League One season.

Playing Style

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

He is known for his shot-stopping, physical presence and willingness to command his penalty area.

Lumley also has experience playing in possession-based teams and is comfortable receiving the ball from defenders and distributing from the back.

His extensive Championship experience and previous role as a regular first-choice goalkeeper provide leadership within the Wednesday squad.

Career Honours

Southampton

• Championship play-off winner: 2023/24

Individual

• Reading Players’ Player of the Season: 2022/23