Theo Walcott facts for kids
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Walcott playing for Arsenal in 2015
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Theo James Walcott | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 16 March 1989 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Stanmore, England | |||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.76 m) | |||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Forward | |||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Newbury | |||||||||||||||
| 2000 | Swindon Town | |||||||||||||||
| 2000–2005 | Southampton | |||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | Southampton | 21 | (4) | |||||||||||||
| 2006–2018 | Arsenal | 270 | (65) | |||||||||||||
| 2018–2021 | Everton | 77 | (10) | |||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | → Southampton (loan) | 21 | (3) | |||||||||||||
| 2021–2023 | Southampton | 29 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| Total | 418 | (84) | ||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | England U16 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | England U17 | 14 | (5) | |||||||||||||
| 2006 | England U19 | 1 | (1) | |||||||||||||
| 2006–2010 | England U21 | 21 | (6) | |||||||||||||
| 2006 | England B | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2006–2016 | England | 47 | (8) | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||
Theo James Walcott (born 16 March 1989) is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He was known for his incredible speed on the field. Theo played for big clubs like Southampton, Arsenal, and Everton.
He also played for the England national team, earning 47 appearances and scoring eight goals. Theo represented England in major tournaments like the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012. After retiring from playing in 2023, Walcott became a club ambassador for Arsenal and a football expert for Sky Sports.
Contents
Growing Up and Early Life
Theo Walcott was born in Stanmore, London, on March 16, 1989. He grew up in a place called Compton in Berkshire. Theo went to Compton Church of England Primary School and The Downs School.
He was a big fan of Liverpool because his dad supported them. When he was younger, he even got to be a ball boy for Chelsea in a match against Liverpool. This was exciting for him because he got to meet his football heroes like Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler.
Club Career Highlights
Theo Walcott started his football journey playing for his local village team. He then moved to Newbury, where he scored over 100 goals in just one season! After that, he briefly played for Swindon Town before joining Southampton.
Starting at Southampton
Theo joined the Southampton Academy and quickly showed his talent. In the 2004–05 season, he helped the Southampton youth team reach the final of the FA Youth Cup.
He also became the youngest player ever to play for Southampton's reserve team at just 15 years old. In the 2005–06 season, he made his first-team debut for Southampton, becoming the youngest player to do so at 16 years and 143 days. He scored his first senior goal against Leeds United and quickly became a rising star.
Time at Arsenal
Theo Walcott joined Arsenal in January 2006 when he was 16. It was a big move for him, costing Arsenal around £5 million, which could rise to £12 million. He signed a professional contract on his 17th birthday.
First Seasons at Arsenal (2006–2010)
Theo made his Premier League debut for Arsenal in August 2006. Just a few days later, he became the youngest Arsenal player to appear in a European competition, playing in the Champions League. He even got an assist in that game!
His first goal for Arsenal came in the 2007 League Cup Final against Chelsea. In the 2007–08 season, he scored his first two Premier League goals against Birmingham City. He also made a memorable run against Liverpool in the Champions League, setting up a goal.
For the 2008–09 season, Theo changed his shirt number to 14, the same number worn by his idol, Thierry Henry. He became a regular player, often playing on the wing. He scored important goals in the Premier League and Champions League. In 2009, he signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.
The 2009–10 season was tough for Theo due to injuries. However, he made a big impact coming off the bench in a Champions League match against Barcelona, scoring a goal and changing the game's flow.
Key Years and Goal Scoring (2010–2013)
The 2010–11 season started very well for Theo. He scored his first hat-trick for Arsenal in a 6–0 win against Blackpool. He also scored a crucial goal and assisted another in a 3–1 victory over Chelsea.
In 2011, he admitted to diving in a match against Leeds United, but then legitimately won a penalty shortly after. He finished that season with a career-high 9 goals in the Premier League.
In the 2011–12 season, Theo continued to score important goals, including one against Manchester United in a high-scoring game. He scored two goals in a thrilling 5–2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby.
The 2012–13 season was one of Theo's best. He scored twice in a League Cup match against Reading, helping Arsenal come back from 4–0 down to win 7–5 in extra time. He also scored his first Premier League hat-trick of the season in a huge 7–3 win over Newcastle United.
In January 2013, Theo signed a new contract with Arsenal. He finished the season as Arsenal's top scorer with 21 goals and 16 assists in all competitions.
Later Years at Arsenal (2013–2018)
Theo started the 2013–14 season well, providing assists and scoring in the Champions League. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in January 2014 during an FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur. This injury meant he missed the rest of the season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He returned to play in November 2014 after ten months out. In May 2015, he scored a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion. He also started as a forward in the 2015 FA Cup Final and scored the opening goal as Arsenal won 4–0 against Aston Villa.
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Theo signed a new contract with Arsenal before the 2015–16 season. He scored his first goal of the season against Stoke City and continued to score in the Premier League and Champions League.
In the 2016–17 season, Theo scored his 100th career goal for Arsenal against Hull City. He also scored a hat-trick against his former club Southampton in the FA Cup. He finished the season with 19 goals, his highest tally for Arsenal. He was an unused substitute when Arsenal won the 2017 FA Cup Final.
During the 2017–18 season, Theo played less for Arsenal, mainly appearing in the Europa League and League Cup. He scored four goals that season before moving to a new club.
Moving to Everton
On January 17, 2018, Theo Walcott signed a contract with Everton. He made his debut for the club three days later and provided an assist. In his next match, he scored two goals in a 2–1 win against Leicester.
Returning to Southampton
On October 5, 2020, Theo rejoined Southampton on a loan deal. He played for Southampton again for the first time since 2006 and provided an assist in a 3–3 draw against Chelsea. He scored his first goal back at Southampton against Wolves in November 2020.
In May 2021, Theo signed a permanent two-year contract with Southampton after his loan ended. He continued to play for the club, making appearances in the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. On March 18, 2023, he scored his first goal since his permanent return to Southampton in a 3–3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. He also scored against his former club Arsenal in April 2023.
On May 28, 2023, Theo confirmed he was leaving Southampton but hoped to continue playing football. However, on August 18, 2023, he announced his retirement from football, ending a career with 563 club appearances and 47 England caps.
Playing for England
World Cup and Youth Teams
Theo Walcott was a big surprise when he was named in England's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup at just 17 years old. He became England's youngest-ever senior player when he played in a friendly match against Hungary in May 2006. Even though he was in the squad, he did not play any games during the tournament.
He also played for the England under-21 team. In 2006, he became the youngest player to score for the England U21 team. He helped them qualify for the Under-21 European Championship and reached the final of the 2009 U21 Euros, where England finished as runners-up.
Senior Team Highlights
On September 10, 2008, Theo made history by scoring a hat-trick for England against Croatia in a World Cup qualifier. He became the youngest player ever to score three goals in a game for England.
He was surprisingly left out of England's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The manager at the time, Fabio Capello, later said he made a mistake by not picking Theo.
At UEFA Euro 2012, Theo came on as a substitute against Sweden and scored a goal to tie the game at 2–2. He then provided an assist for the winning goal, showing a huge impact on the match.
Theo was involved in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, but an injury prevented him from playing in the tournament itself. He was also not selected for the Euro 2016 squad. His last appearance for England was in November 2016.
How Theo Played
Theo Walcott was famous for his incredible speed. Opposing managers often found it very difficult to stop him because of how fast he was. His former Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, even compared him to the legendary striker Thierry Henry.
FIFA World Player of the Year winner Lionel Messi once said that Theo was "one of the most dangerous players I have ever played against." Besides his speed, Theo also had good balance, smart movement, and strong technique on the field.
Life Outside Football
Family and Personal Life
Theo Walcott's family had a small appearance in the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Theo himself was supposed to be in it, but his football commitments kept him from participating. His cousin, Jacob Walcott, also played football for England's under-17 team.
Theo married Melanie Slade in June 2013. They have two sons, Finley James Walcott, born in 2014, and Arlo, born in 2016.
Theo has also supported charities in the UK, like Build a School and Best Beginnings. In 2008, he was a torchbearer for the Olympic Flame when it was carried through London for the Beijing Olympics.
Sponsorships and Books
Theo signed a sponsorship deal with Nike when he was just 14 years old. He appeared in adverts for Nike alongside other famous footballers. Later, in 2015, he signed a new sponsorship deal with Adidas and appeared in their adverts too.
He is also featured in the EA Sports' FIFA video game series. One of his goal celebrations, a 'pat-a-cake' dance with Mesut Özil, even appeared in FIFA 14.
Theo has written several children's books in a series called "T.J. and the..." These books include "T.J. and the Hat-Trick" and "T.J. and the Penalty". He also published his autobiography, Theo: Growing Up Fast, in 2011.
Media Career
After retiring from playing, Theo Walcott joined the popular football show Match Of The Day as a studio expert in the summer of 2024.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Southampton | 2005–06 | Championship | 21 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 23 | 5 | ||
| Arsenal | 2005–06 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2006–07 | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 0 | — | 32 | 1 | ||
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 25 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 2 | — | 39 | 7 | ||
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 22 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | — | 35 | 6 | ||
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 30 | 4 | ||
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 28 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | 38 | 13 | ||
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 35 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | — | 46 | 11 | ||
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 32 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | 43 | 21 | ||
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 18 | 6 | ||
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 14 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 7 | |
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 28 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 9 | |
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 28 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | — | 37 | 19 | ||
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4 | |
| Total | 270 | 65 | 32 | 12 | 21 | 10 | 72 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 397 | 108 | ||
| Everton | 2017–18 | Premier League | 14 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 3 | ||||
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 37 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 40 | 6 | |||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 2 | |||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Total | 77 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 85 | 11 | ||||
| Southampton (loan) | 2020–21 | Premier League | 21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 23 | 3 | |||
| Southampton | 2021–22 | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 2 | |||
| Total | 50 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 59 | 5 | ||||
| Career total | 418 | 84 | 40 | 13 | 32 | 11 | 72 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 564 | 129 | ||
International Appearances
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 5 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 47 | 8 | |
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Walcott goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 September 2008 | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia | 4 |  Croatia |
1–0 | 4–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 2 | 2–0 | |||||||
| 3 | 4–1 | |||||||
| 4 | 15 June 2012 | Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, Kyiv, Ukraine | 26 |  Sweden |
2–2 | 3–2 | UEFA Euro 2012 | |
| 5 | 14 August 2013 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 34 |  Scotland |
1–1 | 3–2 | Friendly | |
| 6 | 5 September 2015 | San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino | 41 |  San Marino |
4–0 | 6–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification | |
| 7 | 6–0 | |||||||
| 8 | 9 October 2015 | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 42 |  Estonia |
1–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
Awards and Achievements
Southampton
- FA Youth Cup runner-up: 2004–05
Arsenal
- FA Cup: 2014–15, 2016–17
- FA Community Shield: 2015, 2017
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2006–07
England U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2009
Individual Awards
- BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year: 2006
- BBC London Young Footballer of the Year: 2008
See also
In Spanish: Theo Walcott para niños
