Lewis Michael Bate (born 28 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captains EFL League One club Stockport County.
Early life
Born in London, Bate started his career with local Sidcup-based side Foots Cray Lions, before joining Chelsea at under-8 level.[4][5] He has listed Chelsea and Liverpool legends Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard as players he looked up to as a child.[4][6]
Club career
Chelsea
After playing a key role for Chelsea's under-18 and under-23 sides, Bate was included on the bench for the Chelsea first team three times.[7] However, he did not feature for the first team, and was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in 2021, having rejected a contract offer with The Blues.[8][9]
Leeds United
On 21 July 2021, Leeds United announced the signing of Bate on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be £1.5 million.[5][10][11] Since signing, Bate has been tipped to be fast-tracked into the first team squad after impressing at under-23 level.[12] He scored his first goal for Leeds under-23s on 4 November 2021 in a 5–3 EFL Trophy loss to Salford City.[13] Bate made his senior debut for Leeds United on 9 January 2022 in the starting line-up for the 2–0 FA Cup third round defeat to West Ham United.[14] He made his Premier League debut the following week, also at West Ham, when he came on as a first half replacement for Adam Forshaw, but was taken off midway through the second half, with Leeds 3–2 ahead, in a tactical substitution for Rodrigo.[15][16]
Bate was released by Leeds in June 2024 at the conclusion of his contract.[17]
Oxford United (loan)
On 4 August 2022, Bate joined Oxford United of League One on loan for the duration of the 2022–23 season.[18] He suffered a hand injury in a game against Derby County on 11 March 2023 and, apart from a brief substitute appearance in the following game,[19] was not expected to make further appearances.[20] Before his injury he had made 26 league appearances, scoring once.[21]
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
On 19 January 2024, Bate joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons until the end of the 2023–24 season.[22]
Stockport County
On 20 June 2024 it was announced that Lewis had signed a three-year contract with Stockport County.[23] He was handed the captain's armband ahead of the 2024–25 season.[24]
International career
Bate has represented England at under-17, under-18 and under-20 level.[2] He scored his first goal for the England under-20s in a 1–1 draw with Italy.[25]
Style of play
A strong passer and dribbler, while also being good in a tackle, Bate can play in numerous midfield roles.[26] He has been described as strong both defensively and going forward, and has been compared to former Netherlands international footballer Clarence Seedorf for his ability to control play.[6]
Career statistics
- As of 9 August 2023.[7]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Chelsea U21 | 2020–21 | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Leeds United U21 | 2021–22 | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| Leeds United | 2021–22 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Oxford United (loan) | 2022–23 | EFL League One | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 35 | 1 | |
| Career total | 30 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 6 | 1 | 43 | 2 | |||
- ^ a b c Appearances in the EFL Trophy
References
- ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists". premierleague.com. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Lewis Bate at WorldFootball.net
- ^ "Lewis Bate – the Sidcup Seedorf". The Chelsea Spot. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Teenage kicks: Lewis Bate". Chelsea F.C. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Leeds United Complete Lewis Bate Signing from Chelsea". Leeds United F.C. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ a b Gott, Tom (22 July 2021). "Lewis Bate: Things to know about Leeds United's new starlet". 90min.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ a b Lewis Bate at Soccerway
- ^ Kinsella, Nizaar (20 July 2021). "Chelsea wonderkid Bate close to joining Leeds after rejecting new Blues contract". goal.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ Macdonald, Paul (20 July 2021). "Who is Lewis Bate? The Chelsea starlet set for Leeds United switch". footballtransfers.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "Leeds seal deal for Chelsea teenager Bate". BBC Sport. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ Hay, Phil; Richman, Darren (22 July 2021). "Leeds complete transfer of Lewis Bate from Chelsea". theathletic.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ Brookes, Sam (26 October 2021). "Leeds latest news: Hugely promising teenager could have development "accelerated"". givemesport.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ Snelson, Flora (3 November 2021). "Lewis Bate opens Leeds United account with sensational solo goal as Salford City knock the Whites out of the EFL Trophy". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "Leeds United complete Leo Hjelde swoop". Leeds United F.C. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ Steinberg, Jacob (16 January 2022). "West Ham v Leeds: Premier League Live!". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Steinberg, Jacob (16 January 2022). "West Ham 2–3 Leeds United: Harrison hat-trick dents Hammers' top-four push". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ Leeds retained list
- ^ "Lewis Bate Joins Oxford United". Oxford United F.C. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Morecambe 1–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Bate Injury Blow". Oxford United F.C. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ Lewis Bate at Soccerbase
- ^ "MK Dons sign Villa's Marschall and Bate from Leeds". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Our latest Summer signing: Lewis Bate". Stockport County. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Richardson, Liam (10 August 2024). "Lewis Bate named as new County captain". Stockport County. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Match Report: England MU20 1–1 Italy". englandfootball.com. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ Snelson, Flora (8 October 2021). "Lewis Bate: the versatile former Chelsea midfielder who wants trophies with Leeds United". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 4 November 2021.