James Crole

James Crole
Personal information
Full name James Crole
Date of birth (2004-02-22) 22 February 2004
Place of birth Bridgend, Wales
Position Striker
Team information
Current team
Newport County
Number 16
Youth career
Newport County
Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2024 Cardiff City 0 (0)
2023Torquay United (loan) 2 (0)
2024Queen's Park (loan) 1 (0)
2024–2026 Penybont 48 (27)
2026– Newport County 13 (1)
International career
2022 Wales U18 2 (1)
2022 Wales U19 3 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:08, 21 March 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 19:04, 25 February 2024 (UTC)

James Crole (born 22nd Feb 2004) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two club Newport County. He is a Wales youth international.

Club career

Cardiff City

Crole joined the Cardiff City academy from the Newport County academy at under-14 level.[1] He signed his first professional contract with Cardiiff City for two years in June 2022.[2]

In January 2023 Crole joined National League club Torquay United on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.[3]

On 27 February 2023, Crole made his senior debut for Cardiff City in the EFL Cup third round 5–2 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.[4]

On 1 January 2024 Crole joined Scottish Championship club Queen's Park on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.[5] He made his debut for Queen's Park on 3 February 2024 in the 1-0 win against Inverness.[6]

Crole departed Cardiff upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2023–24 season.[7]

Penybont

In July 2024, Crole joined Cymru Premier club Penybont.[8]

Newport County

In January 2026, Crole joined EFL League Two club Newport County on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.[9][10] He made his debut for the side on 17 January 2026 in a 3-2 league defeat to Gillingham.[11] Crole scored his first Newport goal in the EFL League Two 2-1 win against Barnet on 14 March 2026.[12]

International

Crole was called up to the Wales under-19 squad in September 2022 for the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification matches against Hungary, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar.[13] He featured in all three matches, scoring one goal against Gibraltar.[14]

References

  1. ^ "U18 | Our new apprentices for 2020/21 | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
  2. ^ "Promising young players sign new contracts at CCS | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
  3. ^ Crole To Become A Gull, Torquay United F.C., 6 January 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Blackburn Rovers 5-2 Cardiff City: Andrew Moran stars as hosts reach Carabao Cup fourth round". BBC Sport. 27 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Loan | James Crole joins Queen's Park | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Inverness CT 0-1 Queen's Park: Dom Thomas winner earns visitors crucial win". BBC Sport. 3 February 2024.
  7. ^ Williams, Glen (7 June 2024). "Cardiff City confirm 12 players will leave as five offered new deals". Wales Online. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  8. ^ Drinkwater-James, Max (13 July 2024). "Cardiff City star lands at Penybont as Newport County snap up Haverfordwest talisman". Clwb Pel-Droed. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Newport County news: James Crole and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa join Exiles". BBC Sport. 14 January 2026.
  10. ^ "CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT: JAMES CROLE". www.newport-county.co.uk. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Gillingham 3-2 Newport County: Spirited County beaten by late goals". BBC Sport. 19 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Barnet 1-2 Newport County: Visitors climb out of relegation zone". BBC Sport. 14 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Young Bluebirds called up to represent Wales' U19 side! | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
  14. ^ Cairns, Ian (31 January 2024). "Cardiff City's James Crole on loan to Queen's Park".