Luke Shaw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Luke Shaw

Shaw playing for Manchester United in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Luke Paul Hoare Shaw
Date of birth	(1995-07-12) 12 July 1995 (age 30)
Place of birth	Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Manchester United
Number	23
Youth career
2002–2011	Southampton
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2014	Southampton	60	(0)
2014–	Manchester United	198	(3)
International career‡
2011	England U16	6	(1)
2011–2012	England U17	8	(1)
2013–2014	England U21	5	(0)
2014–	England	34	(3)
Medal record Men's football Representing  England UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2020 Team Runner-up 2024 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:45, 16 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01:35, 15 July 2024 (UTC)

Luke Paul Hoare Shaw (born 12 July 1995) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a left-back for Manchester United. He also plays for the England national team.

Luke started his career in the youth system at Southampton. He made his first team debut in January 2012. He quickly became a regular player for Southampton. In June 2014, Manchester United signed Shaw for about £30 million. This was a very high transfer fee for a young player at that time.

Shaw played his first senior international match for England in March 2014. This was a friendly game against Denmark. Later that year, he was chosen for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He scored his first goal for England in the UEFA Euro 2020 final. This was also the fastest goal ever scored in a UEFA European Championship final.

About Luke Shaw

Luke Paul Hoare Shaw was born on 12 July 1995. He grew up in Molesey, Surrey, England. As a child, he was a big fan of Chelsea. He looked up to the famous left-back Ashley Cole. Luke even played at Chelsea's youth development center. However, he was not offered a spot in their main academy.

Club Career

Starting at Southampton

Early Years and First Team

Luke Shaw joined the Southampton Academy when he was just seven years old in 2002. By the age of 15, he was a regular player for the under-18 team. In September 2011, he was a substitute for the first team in a League Cup match.

In January 2012, some big clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City were interested in signing him. But Southampton's manager, Nigel Adkins, said Luke was a big part of their future. He made it clear they would not let him leave.

Shaw made his first team debut for Southampton on 28 January 2012. He played in an FA Cup match against Millwall. After Southampton was promoted to the Premier League in May 2012, Luke was offered a professional contract.

Becoming a Regular Player (2012–2014)

Shaw playing for Southampton in 2013

Luke Shaw made his first start for Southampton in August 2012. He played the whole game in a 4–1 win in the League Cup. On 10 November 2012, he became the youngest Southampton player to start a Premier League match. He played as a left-back against Swansea City. He played regularly throughout that season. He finished his first professional season with 28 appearances for Southampton.

On his 18th birthday, 12 July 2013, Shaw signed a new five-year contract with Southampton. In the first game of the 2013–14 season, he helped Southampton win against West Bromwich Albion. He was fouled in the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick that won the game.

In April 2014, Luke Shaw was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. This award goes to the best young player in English football. He was also chosen as the left-back in the 2013–14 PFA Team of the Year. This means other players thought he was one of the best in his position.

Joining Manchester United

First Seasons (2014–2016)

Shaw playing for Manchester United in 2015

On 27 June 2014, Luke Shaw joined Manchester United. He signed a four-year contract. The transfer fee was around £30 million, making him the most expensive teenager in football at the time. Before the season started, he got a hamstring injury.

Shaw made his first game for United on 27 September 2014. It was a 2–1 home win against West Ham United. In October 2014, he was on the list for the 2014 Golden Boy award. This award is for the best young player in Europe under 21.

In September 2015, during a Champions League match, Shaw suffered a serious injury. He broke his leg in two places. This meant he was out of action for six months. He worked hard to recover and returned to training in April 2016.

Return and Success (2016–2020)

On 7 August 2016, Shaw played his first competitive game since his injury. Manchester United won the 2016 FA Community Shield against Leicester City. On 10 August 2018, he scored his first goal for Manchester United in a league game against Leicester City. He won the club's Player of the Month award in August and September that season.

On 18 October 2018, he signed a new five-year contract with United. At the end of the 2018–19 season, Shaw was voted Manchester United Players' Player of the Year. He also won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, which is voted by the fans.

Recent Years (2021–Present)

On 2 February 2021, Shaw made two assists in Manchester United's huge 9–0 win against Southampton. On 7 March, he scored his first league goal since 2018 in the Manchester derby against Manchester City.

In January 2023, Shaw played as a centre-back, which is not his usual position. He played very well and helped Manchester United win the 2023 EFL Cup final against Newcastle United. On 4 April 2023, he signed another new contract with the club until June 2027.

Luke has faced some injury problems in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. He made his first start in over a year on 27 April 2025, playing the whole match in a 1–1 draw.

International Career

Youth Teams

Luke Shaw first played for England's youth teams in 2011. He made six appearances for the England under-16 team. He scored his first international goal against Uruguay in a tournament. He then played for the under-17 team.

In 2013, he was called up to the England under-21 team. However, he had to pull out of several matches due to injuries. He finally made his under-21 debut on 5 September 2013 against Moldova.

Senior England Team

Shaw with England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

On 27 February 2014, Shaw was called up to the England senior team for the first time. He made his debut in a friendly match against Denmark. England won 1–0. In May 2014, he was chosen for England's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was the youngest player to appear in that tournament.

Shaw missed UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup due to injuries. He returned to the team in 2018. He was included in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2020. On 11 July 2021, he scored the fastest goal ever in a European Championship final. This was against Italy. However, England lost the final after a penalty shoot-out.

Shaw was part of the 26-man England squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He played in all five of England's matches. He also assisted a goal in a 6–2 win against Iran.

On 6 June 2024, Shaw was named in England's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. The manager, Gareth Southgate, said it was a risk because Luke had been injured. Shaw made his first appearance in the tournament in the quarter-final against Switzerland.

How Luke Shaw Plays

Before his injuries, many people thought Luke Shaw was one of the best left-backs in the world. He is known for his strong defending and understanding of the game. He is also good at attacking from the left side. People have compared him to famous players like Gareth Bale because of his speed and decision-making. Former England player Trevor Brooking has said Shaw is "technically very gifted." He has also received praise from legendary Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos.

Career Statistics

Club

International

England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Shaw goal

List of international goals scored by Luke Shaw

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Ref.
1	11 July 2021	Wembley Stadium, London, England	16	Italy	1–0	1–1 (a.e.t.) (2–3 p)	UEFA Euro 2020
2	26 March 2022	Wembley Stadium, London, England	20	Switzerland	1–1	2–1	Friendly
3	26 September 2022	Wembley Stadium, London, England	23	Germany	1–2	3–3	2022–23 UEFA Nations League A

Honours and Awards

Luke Shaw has won several awards and trophies with his clubs and country:

Manchester United

• EFL Cup: 2022–23 (They won this cup!)
• FA Community Shield: 2016 (Another trophy win!)
• UEFA Europa League: 2016–17 (They won this European competition!); runner-up: 2020–21, 2024–25 (They reached the final but didn't win)
• FA Cup runner-up: 2022–23 (They reached the final but didn't win)

England

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2020, 2024 (England reached the final but didn't win)

Individual Awards

• PFA Team of the Year: 2013–14 Premier League, 2020–21 Premier League (Chosen as one of the best players in his position by other professional players)
• Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 2018–19 (Voted as the best player by Manchester United fans)
• Manchester United Players' Player of the Year: 2018–19, 2020–21 (Voted as the best player by his teammates at Manchester United)

See also

In Spanish: Luke Shaw para niños