Joe Mattock

Joseph William Mattock (born 15 May 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Rotherham United. Mattock is a graduate of the Leicester City youth academy and has also represented England youth teams at nearly every level.

Club Career

Leicester City

Mattock was a regular for the Leicester under-18 side (playing alongside the likes of Ashley Chambers, Max Gradel, Andy King and Eric Odhiambo) as well as England U17s. He was part of the U18 squad that won the FA Premier Academy League by beating Sunderland U18s 4–3 on penalties in the 2006–07 season, and was voted Leicester's academy player of the season.

He made his senior debut for Leicester in a 2–1 home defeat to Norwich City on 14 April 2007, replacing Gareth McAuley in the 78th minute at left back. He was given the number 30 shirt worn the year before by another promising youngster, James Wesolowski. Mattock went on to start three games against Birmingham City, Preston North End and Barnsley during the close of the 2006–07 season.

On 9 November 2007, during the 2007–08 season, Mattock signed a new three-year contract with Leicester. The club rejected a bid from an unnamed Premier League club for Mattock on 14 January 2008 (later revealed to be West Ham United). Following Leicester's relegation in the 2007–08 season, Aston Villa became interested in Mattock and then-teammate Richard Stearman. While Stearman left for Wolves in the July transfer window, Mattock remained at the club for another year. He did, however, hand in a transfer request during pre-season, but was unable to secure a deal with any club.

Mattock suffered ligament damage to his left ankle in a 1–0 League Cup win over Stockport County on 12 August 2008. Fortunately, there was no fracture, meaning he would be out for several weeks instead of months. On 28 August, three days before the close of the transfer window, Leicester rejected seven-figure offers from two unnamed clubs for Mattock. H