Tom Heaton
Template:Short description {{#invoke:Other people|otherPeople}} Template:Use British English Heaton will sign for Wrexham on 30th June 2025 Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Thomas David Heaton (born 15 April 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Template:English football updater club Manchester United.
Heaton began his career in the Manchester United academy but was unable to break into the first team and spent time on loan with Swindon Town, Royal Antwerp, Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale, and Wycombe Wanderers, before joining Cardiff permanently after his release by Manchester United in July 2010. He then joined Bristol City on a one-year deal with an option of a second year but turned it down in May 2013 in favour of a move to Burnley, where he remained for six years before joining Aston Villa in 2019. After two years with Aston Villa, he returned to Manchester United in July 2021.
Formerly an international from under-16 to under-21 level, Heaton has been involved in senior England squads since 2015, finally making his senior debut in a friendly match against Australia on 27 May 2016.
Club careerEdit
Manchester UnitedEdit
Born in Chester, Cheshire,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Heaton began his football career with Wrexham, for whom he played both in goal and in midfield, but, after making 20 appearances for the Manchester United Under-17 team in the previous two seasons, he signed for United as a trainee on 8 July 2002. He became a regular in the Under-17 team during the 2002–03 season, and picked up an FA Youth Cup winner's medal despite playing second fiddle to Luke Steele throughout the entire competition.Template:Citation needed He made his first appearance in the reserve team the following season, starting in a 3–1 home win over Birmingham City in the Premier Reserve League on 2 October 2003.Template:Citation needed At the end of the 2003–04 season, Heaton was named on the bench for the final of the Manchester Senior Cup against Manchester City, and won a winner's medal despite not taking the field.Template:Citation needed
By the 2004–05 season, Heaton had become the first-choice goalkeeper for the Manchester United reserve team, and was named on the bench for Stan Ternent's testimonial on 20 August 2004, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute for Luke Steele after Steele had earlier come on for Tim Howard.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> With Heaton in goal for 17 of the 28 Premier Reserve League North matches and 12 of the 22 Central League matches, the team went on to win both league titles by nine and five points respectively.Template:Citation needed
Heaton's form for the reserves resulted in him being loaned out to Swindon Town at the start of the 2005–06, initially until 1 January 2006.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Heaton made his professional debut in a League Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in his second appearance against Yeovil Town in the league he saved a penalty from Lee Johnson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During his time at Swindon, he played over 20 matches, and was described as "one for the future" by manager Iffy Onuora.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He returned to Manchester United,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but, after the recall of Ritchie Jones from Royal Antwerp, Heaton was sent there for the rest of the season after United rebuffed an approach from Huddersfield Town.<ref name=":0" />
Heaton spent the 2007–08 season with the first team-squad at Manchester United, appearing on the bench when Edwin van der Sar was out due to injury.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Cardiff City (loan)Edit
At the end of the 2007–08 season, Heaton agreed to move to Championship club Cardiff City on loan for the duration of the 2008–09 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was chosen as the club's first choice goalkeeper, above Peter Enckelman, for the start of the season by manager Dave Jones.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He played in every match until late November, with the exception of the League Cup third round tie against Swansea City, when he was replaced by Enckelman.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, late on in Cardiff's 2–1 away defeat to Plymouth Argyle on 22 November 2008, Heaton picked up an injury and was forced off.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The injury would go on to cost Heaton his place in the team as the club went unbeaten with Enckelman in goal for over two months.Template:Citation needed
In February, Enckelman was forced to undergo knee surgery which saw Heaton return in goal on 16 February 2009, when he put up an impressive performance despite the 4–0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, he tore his thigh muscle during the match, ruling him out for up to five weeks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On his return, Heaton found himself on the bench behind loanee Stuart Taylor but, following a 6–0 defeat against Preston North End, he replaced Taylor for the final three matches of the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, he was unable to keep Cardiff in the play-off places and he returned to Manchester United at the end of the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Queens Park Rangers (loan)Edit
On 15 August 2009, Heaton was signed by Queens Park Rangers on an emergency three-month loan deal,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the terms of which allowed him to compete in the League Cup.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Heaton's loan spell ended on 8 November 2009.Template:Citation needed He made one first-team appearance during his loan, in the 1–0 defeat at Chelsea in the League Cup on 23 September 2009.<ref name=sb0910/>
Rochdale (loan)Edit
After returning from QPR, Heaton joined Rochdale on 13 November 2009 until the end of December 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut in a 3–2 loss against Chesterfield on 14 November 2009.<ref name=sb0910/> The loan was then extended until 23 January 2010,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> before a further extension pushed the end date back to 31 January.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In his 12 appearances for Rochdale, Heaton conceded only ten goals – including four clean sheets – and finished on the losing team just once.<ref name=sb0910/>
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)Edit
Heaton spent less than two weeks back at Manchester United before going back out on loan to Wycombe Wanderers on 12 February 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He went straight into the Wycombe starting line-up for their away match against Brentford the following day, which they drew 1–1.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heaton made his second appearance for the Chairboys in their 0–0 draw against Southampton on Tuesday 23 February 2010.<ref name=sb0910/> He made a great save from a volley to keep the Chairboys on even terms with the Saints.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Return to Cardiff CityEdit
Meeting with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on his future at the club amidst an expiring contract, Heaton declined an offer to stay at Old Trafford, deciding instead to leave on free transfer in pursuit of regular playing time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following his release by United, Heaton agreed a deal on 15 June 2010 to return to Cardiff City on 1 July 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his second debut in 4–1 win over Burton Albion in the League Cup on 11 August.<ref name=sb1011/> After first-choice goalkeeper David Marshall suffered an elbow injury, Heaton established himself as Cardiff's new number one starter.<ref name=sb1011/> In late February, however, he suffered a groin injury, so Jason Brown and Stephen Bywater were brought in as cover on loan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Upon his return, Heaton went into the team against Derby County, where they won 4–1, their first win in four matches.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heaton's performances during the 2010–11 season earned him the club's Young Player of the Year award.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Under new manager, Malky Mackay, Heaton found himself as cover for David Marshall, but he played a key part in the club's League Cup run in which they reached the final thanks to two saves from Heaton in a semi-final penalty shoot-out against Crystal Palace.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He suffered an ankle injury just before the final, but he overcame the injury to start at Wembley Stadium.<ref name=sb1112/> Heaton followed his penalty heroics against Crystal Palace when he started the penalty shoot-out by pushing Steven Gerrard's effort onto the bar, but he ultimately ended up on the losing team as Liverpool won the shoot-out 3–2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite the successful cup run, Heaton still found himself second string to Marshall and was released at the end of the season after rejecting a new contract in the Welsh capital.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bristol CityEdit
In July 2012, Heaton held talks with Watford over a potential move; however, Watford's new owners decided to pull out of the move.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later that month, Heaton went on trial with Bristol City during their pre-season training camp in Spain and they opened contract talks soon after.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 27 July, Heaton signed a one-year deal with the club, with the option for a further 12 months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut on 18 August 2012, in a 1–0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A disappointing season in Bristol led to the club owning the worst defensive record in the league with 84 goals allowed, and they were relegated at the end of the season.Template:Citation needed Heaton started 43 of Bristol City's 46 matches in the Championship that season, and was viewed as one of the club's best players that season.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
BurnleyEdit
Heaton signed with Burnley in May 2013,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> joining them in July, after turning down a further one-year deal at Bristol City.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> He decided to stay in the Championship, and Burnley offered Heaton a two-year contract attaching him to the club until June 2015, with an option of a third year.<ref name=":1" /> A target of manager Sean Dyche while at Watford, Dyche's first Burnley signing was described as a "good technician" with a "great pedigree".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Heaton immediately became the first-choice goalkeeper for Burnley following the departures of Lee Grant and Brian Jensen.Template:Citation needed He made his Burnley debut against Bolton Wanderers on 3 August 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 24 August, he was the recipient of a rare technical caution (his second of the match) for handling the ball after releasing it whilst playing against Brighton, a match they lost 2–0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heaton was a part of Burnley's defence that allowed only 37 goals, the fewest in the league, as Burnley returned to the Premier League for the first time since 2009–10.Template:Citation needed Heaton also picked up 19 clean sheets, the most by any keeper in the regular season.Template:Citation needed
Heaton made his Premier League debut on 18 August against Chelsea in a 3–1 loss.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heaton played in every minute of Burnley's Premier League campaign,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the only goalkeeper in the league to do so,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but his efforts would not be enough, as Burnley and their league-worst offence were relegated at the end of the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After the season, Heaton was voted by his teammates as Burnley's Players' Player of the Year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
.jpg){kind=link}
On 30 June 2015, Heaton signed a new three-year deal at the club through to the summer of 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Taking over for Jason Shackell, Heaton was named as captain for the 2015–16 season, captaining the team for the first time on 8 August 2015, on the opening day of the 2015–16 Championship season against Leeds United in a 1–1 draw.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heaton kept 20 clean sheets during the season, second only to Dimitrios Konstantopoulos of Middlesbrough,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as Burnley did not lose in the second half of the Championship season on their way to becoming champions and earning promotion back to the Premier League at their first attempt.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Towards the end of the season, Heaton was named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 20 July 2016, Heaton signed another new contract, this time a four-year deal running until the summer of 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 29 October, Heaton made numerous saves during the match against former club Manchester United, the highlight being a mid-air, fully extended save of Zlatan Ibrahimović that Heaton claimed "nearly broke [his] arm".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Afterwards, Heaton required medical attention but remained in the match to lead Burnley to a 0–0 draw, being named Man of the Match in the process.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the same season on 22 January 2017, Heaton made his 150th league appearance for the club as he was beaten by a 97th-minute penalty from Alexis Sánchez that saw Arsenal win 2–1.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Aston VillaEdit
Heaton signed for newly promoted Premier League club Aston Villa on 1 August 2019 for an undisclosed fee,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> believed to be £8 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 1 January 2020, Heaton suffered a season-ending knee injury during a 2–1 win against his former team Burnley, a game which also saw his teammate Wesley suffer a similarly serious knee injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2020, with Heaton still injured, Villa signed Emiliano Martínez from Arsenal as their new first choice goalkeeper.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 10 November 2020, after over ten months out, Heaton made his return to football for Aston Villa U23s – in a 2–2 draw away at Burnley U23s in the Premier League 2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 26 December 2020, Heaton returned to the first team squad for the first time since his injury, featuring as an unused substitute in a 3–0 home win over Crystal Palace.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On 28 May 2021, it was announced that Heaton would leave Aston Villa at the end of his contract.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Return to Manchester UnitedEdit
Following his release by Aston Villa, Heaton agreed to return to Manchester United on 2 July 2021,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 11 years after first leaving them.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He signed a two-year contract with the option of an extra year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 8 December 2021, Heaton made his first-team debut, replacing Dean Henderson in the 68th minute of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League match against Young Boys.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 10 January 2023, Heaton started his first match for United in the EFL Cup game against Charlton Athletic, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory to help United qualify for the semi-finals.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 1 February 2023, he started in the second leg of the semi-final against Nottingham Forest, keeping another clean sheet as his team won 2–0 on the night (5–0 on aggregate) to reach the final.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 2 July 2024, he signed a one-year contract extension with the club.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
International careerEdit
Having played for England at various youth levels, Heaton was handed his England under-21 debut in March 2008 by manager Stuart Pearce when he replaced Joe Hart as a substitute during a match against Poland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, he did not make the final squad for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.Template:Citation needed
On 21 May 2015, Heaton was called up to the England senior team for the first time ahead of a friendly against the Republic of Ireland and a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Slovenia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heaton continued to be included in Roy Hodgson's squads before finally making his debut as an 87th-minute substitute in place of Fraser Forster in England's Euro 2016 warm-up match against Australia, played at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was named in the squad for the UEFA Euro 2016 and wore the number 23.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On 16 May 2018, he was one of five players named on standby for the 23-man England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Heaton was also part of the squad which finished third at the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals in Portugal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 10 June 2024, Heaton was called up by England to work as a training goalkeeper for UEFA Euro 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Career statisticsEdit
ClubEdit
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Manchester United | 2005–06<ref name=sb0506>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006–07<ref name=sb0607>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08<ref name=sb0708>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09<ref name=sb0809/> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2009–10<ref name=sb0910>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Swindon Town (loan) | 2005–06<ref name=sb0506/> | League One | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| Royal Antwerp (loan) | 2005–06<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
Belgian Second Division | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Cardiff City (loan) | 2008–09<ref name=sb0809>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| Queens Park Rangers (loan) | 2009–10<ref name=sb0910/> | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Rochdale (loan) | 2009–10<ref name=sb0910/> | League Two | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| Wycombe Wanderers (loan) | 2009–10<ref name=sb0910/> | League One | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | 16 | 0 | ||||
| Cardiff City | 2010–11<ref name=sb1011>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| 2011–12<ref name=sb1112>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| Total | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |||
| Bristol City | 2012–13<ref name=sb1213>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 43 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 44 | 0 | ||
| Burnley | 2013–14<ref name=sb1314>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 50 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15<ref name=sb1415>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 40 | 0 | |||
| 2015–16<ref name=sb1516>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 48 | 0 | |||
| 2016–17<ref name=sb1617>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 36 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18<ref name=sb1718>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19<ref name=sb1819>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 22 | 0 | ||
| Total | 188 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 200 | 0 | |||
| Aston Villa | 2019–20<ref name=sb1920>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21<ref name=sb2021>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 20 | 0 | ||||
| Manchester United | 2021–22<ref name="SB2022">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2022–23<ref name="SB2023">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24<ref name="SB2024">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25<ref name="SB2025">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 343 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 380 | 0 | |||
InternationalEdit
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 0 | |
HonoursEdit
Cardiff City
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2011–12<ref name="leaguecup2012">Template:Cite news</ref>
Burnley
Manchester United
- EFL Cup: 2022–23<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- FA Cup runner-up: 2022–23<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
England
- UEFA Nations League third place: 2018–19<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Individual
- PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 Championship<ref name="pfateam1516">Template:Cite news</ref>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Profile at the Manchester United website
- Template:UEFA player
- Template:Soccerbase
Template:Manchester United F.C. squad Template:England squad UEFA Euro 2016 Template:Navboxes