Patrick Roberts
A winger of dazzling technical flair whose career became a journey through the tiers of English football.
Born 1997 (age 29)·English footballer·Birthday: February 5·Generation Z
Biography
Patrick Roberts emerged from the Fulham academy as one of England's most exciting prospects, a diminutive winger with a low center of gravity and a bag of tricks. His big move to Manchester City in 2015 promised stardom, but his path took a different route, defined by a series of loan spells. The most significant was at Celtic, where he became a fan favorite, weaving through Scottish Premiership defenses and collecting multiple trophies. His career later navigated the Championship with Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Birmingham City, showcasing a player whose pure talent was always evident, even as he sought a permanent home to fully unleash it.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Patrick was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Patrick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
Patrick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup during a loan spell with Celtic.
- Scored a memorable solo goal for Celtic in an Old Firm derby against Rangers.
- Was part of the England squad that won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2014.
- Played a key role in Sunderland's 2022 League One playoff final victory at Wembley.
Did You Know?
He played for England at various youth levels but is also eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland.
Roberts famously nutmegged Barcelona's Neymar during a UEFA Youth League match.
He joined Manchester City from Fulham for a reported fee of up to £12 million as an 18-year-old.
“I just want to play football, wherever that takes me.”
