Josh Vela
Personal information
Full name Joshua James Vela[1]
Date of birth (1993-12-14) 14 December 1993[2]
Place of birth Salford, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.81 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder / Defender
Team information
Current team
 Fleetwood Town
Number 8
Youth career
2002–2011 Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2019 Bolton Wanderers 160 (12)
2014 → Notts County (loan) 7 (0)
2019–2020 Hibernian 9 (0)
2020–2022 Shrewsbury Town 84 (5)
2022– Fleetwood Town 57 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:56, 29 October 2023 (UTC)

Joshua James Vela (born 14 December 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or a midfielder for EFL League One club Fleetwood Town.

Vela started his career with Bolton Wanderers, and made 182 total appearances for the club, during which time he also played on loan for Notts County. He then spent the first half of the 2019–20 season at Hibernian, before signing for Shrewsbury Town.

Early life

Vela was born in Salford, Greater Manchester[4] and attended Hope High School.[5]

Career

Bolton Wanderers

A product of the Bolton Wanderers Academy since joining the academy at nine,[5] Vela signed a professional contract with the club in March 2011.[6] At age seventeen, he was linked to Liverpool and Bolton rejected £1 million offer from Liverpool.[7]

Throughout the 2011–12 season, Vela was a mainstay of the reserve team, although he spent three months on the sidelines after fracturing his foot in a reserve match with Blackburn Rovers in November 2011.[8] After returning to fitness, he was rewarded with a new three-and-a-half-year contract in February 2012.[9] Vela was then given number twenty-five shirt at the club.[10]

He made his debut for the club in the 1–1 home draw against Swansea City on 21 April 2012, coming on for Mark Davies in the 90th minute.[11] His first start for Bolton came on 28 August in the League Cup second round against Crawley Town but this full debut didn't last long, as he was taken off after seven minutes and replaced by Darren Pratley because of an injury caused by a foul from Nicky Adams. This injury would sideline Vela for four months.[12] On his return, Vela started in Bolton's 2–0 victory at Sunderland in an FA Cup third round replay on 15 January 2013,[13] and he made his first league start for the club at Watford on 2 February.[14] After those matches, Vela expressed his delight on returning to action from injury.[15]

On 21 March 2014, Vela joined League One club Notts County on an initial 28-day loan.[16][17] He made his Notts County debut the next day, starting in central midfield, in a 4–1 win over Carlisle United.[18] After making five appearances for Notts County, Vela extended his loan spell with the club until the end of the season.[19] While at Notts County, Vela stated that time at the club could give him a chance of having first team football at Bolton.[20]

Making two further appearances, Vela's loan spell with Notts County came to an end and he returned to his parent club. Upon leaving, manager Shaun Derry paid tribute to him, saying that he had "been at the centre of all our good results and he's done very well."[21]

In the 2014–15 season, Vela was initially to be sent out on loan by Dougie Freedman, but this didn't happen, as Freedman was sacked by the club.[22] Under new manager Neil Lennon, Vela was playing at right back ahead of the more experienced Kevin McNaughton and fellow youth graduate Oscar Threlkeld.[23][24] For his good displays, Vela was among the players to be offered new contracts by Lennon, as his contract was due to expire at the end of the 2014–15 season.[25] He made twenty-nine appearances for the club this season, but impressive displays at right-back and in his return to a midfield position, led The Bolton News to call for Vela to be voted the club's player of the year,[26] while Lennon said he should be proud of his displays during the season.[27] At the award ceremony, Vela finished second with 19 per cent for Bolton Wanderers' Player of the Season, just behind Tim Ream.[28]

Vela scored his first goal for Bolton in a 2–2 draw with Charlton Athletic on 15 December 2015.[29]

At the end of the 2018–19 season, Vela confirmed that he would be leaving the club after seventeen years.[30] He left because his relationship with manager Phil Parkinson became irreparable as Vela refused to be on the bench and was annoyed that loan players were playing instead of him.[31]

Hibernian

Vela signed a three-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian in July 2019.[32] He played 14 total games for the Edinburgh club, scoring once on 17 August in the second round of the Scottish League Cup in a 5–3 home win over Greenock Morton.[33]

Shrewsbury Town

On 20 January 2020, Vela came back to England, signing for League One side Shrewsbury Town on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[34] He was assigned the number 20 shirt.[35] He won both the fan's and player's Player of the Year awards for the 2020–21 season.[36] Vela agreed to a new contract of undisclosed length with the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.[37] It was later revealed however that despite having agreed terms with the club, Vela would indeed be departing the club upon the expiration of his contract.[38]

Fleetwood Town

On 8 June 2022, Vela was announced to be joining fellow League One club Fleetwood Town on a three-year contract upon the expiration of his Shrewsbury Town contract.[39] Shortly after signing, he became Fleetwood captain.[40][41]

Career statistics

As of match played 2 December 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bolton Wanderers 2010–11[42] Premier League 000000—00
2011–12[43] Premier League 300000—30
2012–13[44] Championship 402010—70
2013–14[45] Championship 001010—20
2014–15[46] Championship 2903000—320
2015–16[47] Championship 3123010—352
2016–17[48] League One 46931103[lower-alpha 3]05310
2017–18[49] Championship 3011000—311
2018–19[50] Championship 1701010—190
Total 16012141503018213
Notts County (loan) 2013–14[45] League One 7000000070
Hibernian 2019–20[51] Scottish Premiership 900051—141
Shrewsbury Town 2019–20[51] League One 4000——40
2020–21[52] League One 44320003[lower-alpha 3]0493
2021–22[53] League One 36220201[lower-alpha 3]0412
Total 845402040945
Fleetwood Town 2022–23[54] League One 20120202[lower-alpha 3]0261
Career total 280182011419032320

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Josh Vela Bolton Wanderers Profile". Bolton Wanderers F.C. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Josh Vela". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Josh Vela". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Red-hot Josh tipped to fire". The Bolton News. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  6. ↑ "Quartet Agree Professional Deals". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 14 March 2011. Archived from the original on 17 March 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Coyle Reveals Liverpool Vela Bid". Burnden Aces. 22 June 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "Coyle laments "worst ever" injury list". The Bolton News. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "Vela signs new long-term contract". The Bolton News. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Squad Numbers Announced". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 5 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ↑ "Bolton 1–1 Swansea". BBC Sport. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Vela Sidelined For Four Months". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ↑ "Sunderland 0 – 2 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  14. ↑ "Watford 2 – 1Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "Vela Surprised To Start". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 16 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ↑ "Vela Joins Notts on Loan From Bolton". Notts County F.C. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 22 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ↑ "Transfer News: Bolton midfielder Josh Vela may be sent out on loan". Sky Sports. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  18. ↑ "Notts County 4 – 1 Carlisle United". BBC Sport. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "Vela Extends Notts County Stay". Notts County F.C. 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. ↑ "Transfer news: Josh Vela tipped to shine when heading back to Bolton". Sky Sports. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "Shaun Derry Pays Tribute To Notts County's Departing Loan Stars". Notts County F.C. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ↑ "Bolton Wanderers midfielder Josh Vela could go out on loan for more game time". The Bolton News. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  23. ↑ "Maturing Josh Vela is still my main man, says Bolton Wanderers boss Neil Lennon". The Bolton News. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "Vela experiment not the last, hints Wanderers boss Lennon". The Bolton News. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "Neil Lennon plotting contract talks with top Bolton Wanderers stars". The Bolton News. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  26. ↑ "SEASON REVIEW: Josh Vela gets The Bolton News vote for player of the year at Bolton Wanderers". The Bolton News. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  27. ↑ "Neil Lennon: Josh Vela should be proud of his season". The Bolton News. 27 April 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  28. ↑ "Tim Ream crowned 2014/15 Player of the Season". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 1 May 2015. Archived from the original on 2 May 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  29. ↑ "Charlton 2–2 Bolton". BBC Sport. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  30. ↑ "Bolton Wanderers' Josh Vela confirms he is quitting club". The Bolton News. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  31. ↑ "Josh Vela explains reasons behind Bolton Wanderers exit last summer".
  32. ↑ "Josh Vela: Midfielder joins Hibernian after Bolton exit". BBC Sport. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  33. ↑ "Hibs 5 Morton 3 as Florian Kamberi inspires Easter Road men to extra time win". Daily Record. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  34. ↑ "Josh Vela: Shrewsbury Town sign midfielder after Hibernian exit". BBC Sport. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  35. ↑ "First Team". Shrewsbury Town FC official site. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  36. 1 2 Shropshire Star: "Josh Vela tipped to win top Shrewsbury award"
  37. ↑ "Retained list 2022". www.shrewsburytown.com. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "Elliott Bennett signs new deal!". www.shrewsburytown.com. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  39. ↑ "Josh Vela becomes Town's second signing of the summer". www.fleetwoodtownfc.com. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  40. ↑ Match-winner Josh Vela draws praise as Fleetwood edge out Peterborough
  41. ↑ Vela: We could have a really good push next season
  42. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  45. 1 2 "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  48. 1 2 "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  51. 1 2 "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  54. ↑ "Games played by Joshua Vela in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  55. ↑ "League One: 2016/17: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
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