Joe Rafferty

Joseph Gerard Rafferty (born 6 October 1993) is an English-born Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back for English club Preston North End. Rafferty can operate as a full-back and as a midfielder.

He was born and raised in the city of Liverpool where he started his footballing career.

Rafferty has played internationally for the Republic of Ireland three times at under-18 and once at under-19 level.

Club Career

Liverpool

Rafferty spent his youth career with Liverpool, and in 2011 was made captain of the Under-18 side. Whilst at Liverpool he was capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under 18 level making his debut in 2010 in the Jerez tournament against Czech Republic in Prague. The following season Rafferty represented Republic of Ireland at Under 19 levels.

Rochdale

He joined Football League Two side Rochdale on 2 July 2012. On 4 September 2012 Rafferty made his first-team debut for Rochdale in the Football League Trophy against Fleetwood Town coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Brian Barry-Murphy. On 16 May 2013 Rafferty signed a new 1-year contract at Rochdale. on 8 October 2013 Rafferty scored his first professional goal with a header against Port Vale in the Football League Trophy. On 26 April 2014 Rafferty was part of the Rochdale team which won promotion to League One. On 1 July 2014, Rafferty agreed a new two-year contract extending his stay at Spotland until May 2016.

At the end of the 2016–17 season, Rochdale AFC confirmed Rafferty had signed a new two-year deal with the club. At the end of season awards Rafferty won both the Rochdale supporters player of the year and the SMAC Dale supporters club player of the year.

Preston North End

On 23 January 2019 Rafferty joined Preston North End on a three and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Rafferty scored his 1st goal for the club away at Swansea on 17th August 2019.