Anthony Gordon Biography: From Everton’s Academy to Barcelona‘s Wing
Anthony Gordon biography begins in Liverpool, where he grew up supporting Everton. He joined the club’s academy at 11. He was released at 16. He fought his way back. And in 2026, he became Barcelona’s statement signing, a £69m transfer from Newcastle and a key part of England’s World Cup campaign.
Gordon was born on February 24, 2001, in Liverpool, England. He grew up in the city, and his talent was spotted early. He joined Everton’s academy and climbed through the ranks.
But at 16, he was released. It was a moment that could have broken him. Instead, it pushed him. He went back to Everton’s Under-18s, worked his way into the Under-23s, and eventually into the first team.
The Everton Years: The Academy Graduate
Gordon made his Everton debut in 2019. He became a regular in the 2021/22 season, playing 35 Premier League matches and scoring four goals. His performances attracted attention. Newcastle came calling in January 2023.
The fee was up to £45m, with Everton inserting a 15% sell-on clause. It was a significant sum for a player who had been released by the same club as a teenager.
Newcastle: The Making of a Star
At Newcastle, Gordon developed into one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League. His pace, his directness, and his ability to score and assist made him a key player under Eddie Howe.
His 2025/26 season was his best. He scored 16 goals in all competitions, including 10 in the Champions League . He was the club’s top scorer. And he was named in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
But Newcastle’s season ended in disappointment. They finished 12th in the Premier League. And Gordon was left on the bench for the final four games, with Howe “having an eye on the future.”
The writing was on the wall.
Barcelona: The £69m Move
In May 2026, Barcelona agreed a deal worth more than £69m (€80m) with Newcastle for Gordon. Bayern Munich also held formal discussions, but Barcelona made the acceptable bid.
Gordon signed a five-year contract until June 2031. He was 25 years old. And he was joining the club of Lamine Yamal, his future teammate and Ballon d’Or contender.
His start at Barcelona was impressive. By November 2026, he had made 8 La Liga appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists . He had also played in the Champions League, contributing to Barcelona’s strong start to the season.
England: The World Cup Star
Gordon made his England debut on March 23, 2024, against Brazil at Wembley. He was 23 years old.
At the 2026 World Cup, he became a key player. He played six matches, starting five, and scored one goal with three assists. His goal came in the semi-final against Argentina, where he opened the scoring in the 55th minute. England lost 1-2, with Argentina scoring twice in the final five minutes .
England then won the third-place match against France 6-4, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick. It was England’s best World Cup finish since 1966 .
Gordon now has 28 caps and seven goals for England . He is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The Person: Humble and Hard-Working
Gordon does not act like a superstar. Rafa Benítez, who coached him at Everton, praised his mentality.
“Lo más importante en el fútbol es la mentalidad. He tenido a Gordon y era un jugador que quería mejorar y ha mejorado” (The most important thing in football is mentality. I had Gordon and he was a player who wanted to improve, and he has improved).
He is a family man. He grew up in Liverpool, and his roots matter to him. He has spoken about the importance of his parents and his upbringing. He is not flashy. He is not loud. He just works.
My Take: The Release Was the Beginning
Everyone will talk about the £69m fee. The Barcelona move. The World Cup. The assists. The partnership with Yamal.
But the real story of this Anthony Gordon biography is the release.
He was 16. Everton let him go. His boyhood club told him he was not good enough. Most children in that position do not recover. They fade into non-league football or leave the game entirely.
Gordon did not. He went back. He worked. He waited. He became an academy graduate, then a first-team player, then a £45m transfer to Newcastle. He became the club’s top scorer. He became an England international. He became a Barcelona player.
And he did it all with the same quiet determination that Rafa Benítez saw at Everton. The mentality. The desire to improve. The refusal to accept the limitations that others placed on him.
He is 25 now. He is a Barcelona winger. He is an England star. He is playing alongside Lamine Yamal. And he is still the same boy from Liverpool who was told he was not good enough.
The release was not the end. It was the beginning.
FAQs
Where was Anthony Gordon born?
Liverpool, England, on February 24, 2001.
Which club does Gordon play for now?
Barcelona. He joined from Newcastle in May 2026 for a fee worth more than £69m (€80m).
Why did Everton release Gordon?
He was released at 16. He fought his way back into the academy and eventually the first team.
How many goals did Gordon score for Newcastle in 2025/26?
16 goals in all competitions, including 10 in the Champions League .
How many caps does Gordon have for England?
28 caps and seven goals .
Did Gordon play at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. He played six matches, scoring one goal against Argentina in the semi-final. England lost 1-2, then beat France 6-4 in the third-place match .
Data from:
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BBC Sport. (2026, May 26). Barca agree £69m-plus deal with Newcastle for Gordon.
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FIFA. (2026, July 14). Argentina vira sobre Inglaterra e vai à final.
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TNT Sports. (2026, July 18). Saka: England must use ‘noise’ as ‘fuel’ for future success.
