Jack Cork

Chelsea

Cork joined the Chelsea youth set up age of nine, and captained both the club's youth and reserve teams.

Bournemouth (loan)

During the 2006–07 season, Cork twice went on loan to Bournemouth. Cork was selected to go on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States in summer 2007. He made his first appearance for the first-team against Club América on 14 July. He played out-of-position at left-back for most of the tour.

Scunthorpe United (loan)

Cork spent the 2007–08 season on loan at Scunthorpe United. After 35 appearances, despite Scunthorpe's ultimate relegation from the Football League Championship, he was voted the club's Player of the Year. His first league goals came for Scunthorpe, both against Coventry City; in a 1–1 away draw on 27 November 2007 and in a 2–1 home victory on 1 March 2008.

Southampton (loan)

In August 2008, Cork joined Southampton on loan until 1 January 2009, after the Saints beat off reportedly stiff competition from both Sheffield Wednesday and Aberdeen.

Watford (loan)

In January 2009, Cork joined Watford on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. On 24 January 2009, Cork scored his first goal for Watford in a 4–3 victory over Crystal Palace in the 4th round of the FA Cup.

Coventry City (loan)

On 21 August 2009, Cork signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea and immediately signed for Coventry City on loan until the end of December 2009.

Burnley (loan)

On 1 February 2010, Cork signed on loan to Burnley until the end of the season. He made his first appearance for Burnley in a 3–0 defeat at Craven Cottage on his Premier League debut. He then played in a 5–2 defeat against Aston Villa on 21 February 2010 and got an assist for Burnley's second goal.

Cork got his first goal for Burnley on 9 May 2010, in their 4–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, he buried a diving header in emphatic style to score Burnley's second to turn over a two-goal lead. His father revealed the day before in a local newspaper, The Lancashire Telegraph, that Jack is looking to leave Chelsea in the summer and doesn't mind dropping down into the Football League Championship in order to do so.

On 8 August 2010 Chelsea said that they would allow Cork to leave the club and were looking for offers of around £2 million; however on 12 August Cork re-joined Burnley on a season long loan to the delight of manager Brian Laws. On 27 November, Cork scored a last minute winner against Derby at Turf Moor taking Burnley into the play-off positions.

Southampton

On 7 July 2011, Cork signed for Southampton, after they agreed an undisclosed fee with Chelsea. He scored for Saints in a pre-season draw with West Bromwich Albion. Cork ended a solid 2011–12 season as the only Saints player who appeared in every league match, as the club finished as runners-up in the Football League Championship.

Cork missed Southampton's opening fixtures of the 2012–13 Premier League season, due to an ankle injury, sustained against Bristol City in a friendly. On 26 October 2013, Cork came on for the final minute of Southampton's 2–0 win over Fulham, making his 100th league appearance for Southampton. On 26 August he scored his first competitive goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Millwall in the Second Round of the League Cup.

He scored his first league goal for the club in a 4–0 win over Newcastle United on 13 September 2014. His second league goal came in an 8–0 win over Sunderland on 18 October.

Swansea City

On 30 January 2015, Cork joined Swansea City on a three-and-a-half year deal, for a fee "believed to be in the region of £3 million".

On 25 April 2015, he scored his first goal for Swansea in a 3–2 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Over a year after his first goal for the club, on 1 May 2016, he scored his second, a 20-yard curling effort in a 3–1 victory over Liverpool at The Liberty Stadium. This victory helped secure Swansea's Premier League status for the 2016–17 season.

Burnley

On 11 July 2017, Cork returned to his former club Burnley on a four year deal for fee reported to be in the region of £8 million rising to £10 million with add ons. He scored his first goal for Burnley in an EFL Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers on 23 August 2017.

International career

Cork has represented England at many youth levels, making his Under 19 debut against the Czech Republic Under-19s in May 2007. He captained the England U19 squad to make the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, and was part of the Under 21 squad at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Great Britain Olympic football team

On 2 July 2012, Cork was named in Stuart Pearce's 18-man squad for the 2012 London Olympics. He made his debut for Great Britain in a 2–0 loss to Brazil on 20 July, coming on at half time to replace Daniel Sturridge.

Career statistics

Honours

Southampton