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Callum Elder
Callum Elder
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Callum Roddie Elder (born 27 January 1995) is an Australian professional football player who plays as a left back for EFL Championship club Derby County and the Australia national team.

Key Information

Elder started his professional career at Leicester City, but failed the make a first team appearance, he would have loan spells at Mansfield Town, Peterborough United, Brentford, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and Ipswich Town. In August 2019, Elder would join Hull City, where he would spend four years, before signing with Derby County in June 2023.

Early and personal life

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Elder was born to an Irish mother and Scottish father. His maternal grandfather is former Republic of Ireland international footballer Paddy Turner.[3]

Club career

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Leicester City

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A left back, Elder was born in Sydney, Australia and began his youth career with Manly United, before moving to England at the age of 16 to begin a scholarship in the academy at Leicester City.[4] After completing his scholarship at the end of the 2012–13 season, he was awarded his first professional contract.[5] Graduating to the Foxes' U21 team, he progressed to sign a new two-year deal at the end of the 2014–15 season and a further extension a year later,[6] which kept him at the King Power Stadium until June 2019.[7]

Mansfield Town (loan)

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On 8 January 2015, Elder was loaned out to League Two club Mansfield Town for one month.[8] He made his professional debut two days later, starting in a 2–1 away loss against Burton Albion.[9] He became a regular starter, which saw his loan extended to the end of the 2014–15 season.[10][11] Elder made 21 appearances for the Stags and returned to Leicester at the end of the season.[12]

Peterborough United (loan)

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On 29 August 2015, Elder joined League One side Peterborough United on a one-month loan,[13] which was later extended until January 2016.[14] He made 21 appearances and scored the first senior goal of his career, which came in a 4–0 thrashing of Doncaster Rovers on 24 October 2015.[15] A foot injury suffered in a match versus Blackpool on 19 December led to the early termination of Elder's loan.[16]

Brentford (loan)

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On 30 July 2016, Elder joined Championship side Brentford on loan for the duration of the 2016–17 season.[17] He was an ever-present in league matches during the opening month of the season,[18] before suffering a knee injury during a 2–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on 10 September 2016.[19] Elder's recovery was delayed by a thigh injury and he returned to the King Power Stadium for treatment in mid-December 2016.[20][21] He returned to training with Brentford on 16 January 2017,[22] but failed to make an appearance before being recalled by Leicester City two weeks later.[23]

Barnsley (loan)

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On 31 January 2017, Elder joined Championship club Barnsley on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[24]

Wigan Athletic (loan)

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On 31 July 2017, Elder joined Wigan Athletic on a season long loan.[25] He made his debut on 5 August at Milton Keynes Dons but was sent off in the 44th minute. Wigan won the match 1–0.[26] He scored his first goal for Wigan on 17 January 2018 as they defeated Premier League side Bournemouth in the FA Cup.[27]

Ipswich Town (loan)

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On 2 January 2019, Elder joined Ipswich Town on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 Championship season.[28]

Hull City

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On 8 August 2019, Elder joined Championship side Hull City for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract. The move reunited him with Grant McCann, his manager at Peterborough United.[29] Elder made his debut on 14 September 2019, in a 2–2 draw at home to Wigan Athletic.[30] He scored his first goal for Hull on 5 April 2021 in a 3–0 win against Northampton Town.[31] On 18 May 2022, Hull City exercised an option for an additional year on his contract.[32] On 6 May 2023, it was announced that Elder would leave Hull at the end of his contract that summer,[33] it was later announced he would join League One Derby County.

Derby County

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On 21 June 2023, free agent Elder signed for Derby County on a three-year deal, becoming manager Paul Warne's 3rd summer signing.[34] The first half of his first season at Derby was frustrating for Elder he was affected by injuries and when fit was mainly restricted to being a substitute as Craig Forsyth was the main starting left-back.[35] Elder would make 26 appearances in this injury hit season, as Derby secured promotion to the Championship as league runners-up.[36]

After impressing in pre-season ahead of the 2024–25 season, Elder started in Derby's first six Championship fixtures at left-back before he sustained a groin injury at Sheffield United on 21 September 2024, with Derby head coach Paul Warne saying that injury was a "blow" as Elder had been in great form.[37] Elder returned to action in October and under new head coach John Eustace who took over in February 2025, Elder was utilised in left-wing back role. A knee injury in April 2025 ended his season a month early, with Elder playing 30 times for Derby during the season.[38]

Elder scored his first goal for Derby during the 2025–26 season, a direct free kick in Derby's 3–5 loss to Coventry City on 16 August 2025.[39]

International career

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Elder was eligible to play for Australia, Scotland, Ireland and England at international level.[4] In October 2013, Elder was called up by Australia U20 for the 2014 AFC U19 Championship qualifying matches and made a single appearance in a 3–0 win over Chinese Taipei on 5 October.[40][41] He was not named in the squad for the tournament finals.[42]

In August 2021, Elder was called up to the Australia squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against China and Vietnam.[43] He made his debut on 2 September 2021 in a game against China, a 3–0 home victory. He substituted Aziz Behich in the 79th minute.[44]

Style of play

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Elder describes himself as "an athletic full back. I like getting up and down the left-hand-side of the pitch".[45]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 8 November 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mansfield Town (loan) 2014–15[12] League Two 21 0 21 0
Peterborough United (loan) 2015–16[15] League One 18 1 2 0 1[a] 0 21 1
Brentford (loan) 2016–17[18] Championship 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Barnsley (loan) 2016–17[18] Championship 5 0 5 0
Wigan Athletic (loan) 2017–18[46] League One 27 0 5 1 1 0 0 0 33 1
Ipswich Town (loan) 2018–19[47] Championship 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Hull City 2019–20[48] Championship 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0
2020–21[49] League One 44 1 1 0 1 0 2[a] 0 48 1
2021–22[50] Championship 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 0
2022–23[51] Championship 29 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 31 0
Total 131 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 137 1
Derby County 2023–24[52] League One 22 0 0 0 1 0 3[a] 0 26 0
2024–25[53] Championship 29 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 30 0
2025–26[54] Championship 10 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 12 1
Total 61 1 1 0 3 0 3 0 68 1
Career total 271 3 11 1 5 0 6 0 295 4
  1. ^ a b c Appearance in Football League Trophy

International

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As of match played 2 September 2021
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Australia 2021 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

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Wigan Athletic

Hull City

Derby County

Individual

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Callum Elder is an Australian footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL Championship club Derby County. Born Callum Roddie Elder on 27 January 1995 in , , he stands at 1.80 metres tall and primarily operates on the left flank, known for his defensive solidity and occasional contributions in attack. With over 280 appearances across various English leagues, Elder has built a career marked by multiple loans, permanent transfers, and a recent return to international duty after a four-year absence. Elder began his football journey in his hometown with Manly United, a local club, where his performances as a youth player drew attention from overseas scouts. At age 16, he relocated to and joined Leicester City's academy as a scholar in 2011, signing his first professional contract in 2013. He made his senior debut for Leicester in a match against Shrewsbury Town in August 2014, becoming the club's youngest-ever debutant at 19 years and six months. Following limited first-team opportunities at , Elder gained experience through loans, starting with Mansfield Town in League Two during the 2014–15 season, where he played 21 matches. He then moved to in League One for the 2015–16 campaign, featuring in 21 games and scoring once. In 2016, Elder signed permanently with in the , but his time there was brief, leading to further loans: to Wigan Athletic in League One (2017–18, 37 appearances) and Town in the same division (January to June 2019, 5 appearances). These spells helped establish him as a reliable defender in the lower tiers of English football. In August 2019, Elder joined Hull City on a permanent three-year deal, where he became a regular starter in the Championship, amassing 137 appearances and one goal over four seasons. His contract expired in June 2023, after which he signed a three-year agreement with Derby County. At Derby, Elder has been a key player in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, contributing to their promotion from League One in 2023–24, with 68 appearances, one goal, and one assist as of the 2025–26 campaign. On the international stage, Elder holds dual citizenship with but has represented , earning two senior caps: as a substitute in a qualifier against China on 2 September 2021, and another substitute appearance in a friendly against on 14 November 2025. After a four-year hiatus, he received a call-up to the Socceroos squad in November 2025 for friendlies in the United States, marking his return to national team contention at age 30.

Early and personal life

Early life

Callum Elder was born on 27 January 1995 in , , . Growing up in the city's vibrant northern beaches suburb of Mosman, he developed an early passion for football amid Australia's growing soccer culture, which was boosted by the launch of the A-League in 2005 and local community clubs. His interest was further nurtured through family ties, including his maternal grandfather, former international Paddy Turner, whose career at Celtic inspired Elder's own ambitions in the sport. Elder began his youth football journey at Mosman Football Club before joining Manly United at the age of six, where he quickly progressed through the ranks. At Manly United, he demonstrated notable talent and leadership, captaining the under-16 team under coach Louis Dimitropoulos and earning a reputation for his discipline and work ethic during intense training sessions at Park. His development in the Australian youth system highlighted his potential as a versatile defender, initially playing as a central midfielder before transitioning to left-back. In 2011, at the age of 16, Elder made the significant move to to join City's academy as a , leaving behind his family and familiar surroundings in . The transition presented immediate challenges, including adapting to a new country, culture, and the rigors of professional youth training far from home, which required substantial personal sacrifice and resilience. Despite these hurdles, Elder focused on honing his skills within Leicester's competitive environment, marking the start of his professional pathway.

Family and personal background

Elder was born to an Irish mother from and a father from , which provided him with eligibility to represent , , or at the international level. Despite this dual European heritage, he grew up in , , where his parents introduced him to football. He is the maternal grandson of Paddy Turner, a international footballer who had a 16-year professional career spanning clubs such as Morton in , Glentoran in , Dundalk in , and Celtic in . At Celtic from 1963, Turner was a teammate of notable players including and , and he earned 2 caps for between 1964 and 1967 before retiring in . Elder has credited his grandfather's legacy with fostering a family connection to the , stating, "My mum’s dad, Paddy Turner, was a professional, he played for Celtic and for . You could say it grows in the family." Elder has resided in since relocating there at age 16 for a youth opportunity with Leicester City. His family has provided consistent support during career transitions, including his decision to represent internationally, with relatives across , , and keeping track of his matches.

Club career

Leicester City

Elder joined the Leicester City academy in 2011 at the age of 16, having previously played youth football in Australia. He quickly progressed through the club's youth system, featuring regularly for the under-18s and under-21s teams, and earned his first professional contract in July 2013, signing a two-year deal with an option for an additional year. Despite his development in the academy, where he contributed to several youth successes including the 2013 FA Youth Cup run, Elder never made a first-team appearance for Leicester City's senior squad during his eight-year association with the club. To gain senior experience, Elder was loaned out multiple times starting in 2014. His debut loan came to League Two side Mansfield Town in January 2015 on an initial one-month deal, which was extended until the end of the season; he made 21 appearances in all competitions without scoring. The following season, in August 2015, he joined League One club Peterborough United on a season-long loan, where he featured 21 times across all competitions and scored once, helping the team to a mid-table finish. In July 2016, Elder moved to outfit on a season-long loan, but limited opportunities saw him make only 7 appearances before being recalled in January 2017. He was immediately loaned to another side, , for the remainder of the 2016–17 campaign, where he made 5 appearances without scoring. The 2017–18 season brought his most extensive loan spell to League One's Athletic, lasting the full year; Elder appeared 33 times without scoring but was instrumental in their title-winning promotion to the , often starting at left-back. Elder returned to Leicester briefly in the summer of 2018 before securing a loan to Championship club Ipswich Town in January 2019 for the second half of the 2018–19 season. He made 4 appearances without scoring during Ipswich's ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation. Unable to break into Leicester's first team amid increased competition following the club's consolidation, Elder was released in the summer of 2019 at the end of his contract, concluding an eight-year spell focused on youth development and loan maturation.

Hull City

Elder signed for Hull City on 8 August 2019, joining from Leicester City on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. In his debut season, Elder made 30 appearances as he adapted to the left-back role, contributing defensively during a challenging campaign that ended in relegation to after a 3–0 defeat to Cardiff City confirmed the Tigers' drop. The following 2020–21 season in marked Elder's breakthrough, with 46 appearances (44 in the league) and 1 goal—a left-footed effort against Northampton Town—as he helped Hull City secure the title and automatic promotion back to the with 89 points. Returning to the in 2021–22, Elder featured in 28 league appearances, providing consistent defensive support on the left flank amid a survival battle that saw Hull finish 19th with 51 points. In his final 2022–23 season, he recorded 31 total appearances (29 in the league), bolstering the backline as the team achieved mid-table stability with a 15th-place finish and 58 points. Over four seasons, Elder amassed 137 appearances and 1 goal for Hull City before his release in June 2023 upon the expiry of his contract. His prior loan experiences had honed his versatility, enabling a successful transition to left-back where he excelled in defensive duties, including tackles and interceptions, while offering occasional forward surges.

Derby County

Elder signed with Derby County on 21 June 2023, joining as a from Hull City on a three-year contract until the summer of 2026. In the 2023–24 season, Elder made 26 appearances across all competitions, providing one assist despite injury interruptions, and played a key role in Derby's automatic promotion to the as League One runners-up. During the 2024–25 campaign, he featured in 29 appearances but was hampered by multiple injuries, including issues and a injury in April that sidelined him for 59 days and ended his season early. Under manager , Elder adapted to a left wing-back role within a 3-4-3 system, contributing to the team's defensive setup despite the physical toll. As of November 2025 in the 2025–26 season, Elder has made early contributions, including scoring his first goal for —a curling free kick—on 16 August in a 3–5 home loss to Coventry City, helping to level the score temporarily. He has since integrated reliably into the as a defensive option at left wing-back, drawing on prior promotion experience from Hull City to aid 's efforts. Across his Derby tenure, Elder has recorded 61 appearances and 1 goal, with his contract set to expire in June 2026 amid discussions of future prospects influenced by ongoing injury concerns and squad competition.

International career

Youth international career

Born in , , with Irish and Scottish heritage, Callum Elder was eligible to represent (birthplace), the , , or (residency). In October 2013, Elder received his first call-up to the Under-20 squad, known as the Young Socceroos, for the AFC U-19 Championship qualifying tournament held in . He made his sole appearance for the team during the group stage, starting in a 3-0 victory over on 4 October 2013, where he played the full 90 minutes as a left-back. finished second in Group F behind , failing to advance to the finals, but Elder's performance contributed to the team's early successes in the competition. This brief youth international exposure aligned with Elder's ongoing development at Leicester City, where he was on the cusp of professional loans, providing valuable high-level experience at age 18. Despite the single cap, the opportunity highlighted his potential and helped pave the way for his later progression to senior international consideration, underscoring the role of representative football in his career trajectory. No further appearances followed for the U20 side as Elder focused on club commitments in .

Senior international career

Elder received his first call-up to the senior national team in August 2021 for qualifying matches against and , under head coach . His impressive form as a left-back for Hull City in the during the 2020–21 season contributed to his selection. Elder made his senior international debut on 2 September 2021 in the World Cup qualifier against in , , entering as a substitute in the 78th minute for during 's 3–0 victory. This appearance marked him as Socceroo number 614. He was recalled to the national squad on 7 November 2025 by head coach for friendlies against and on 15 and 19 November, respectively, amid injuries to other left-back options. Elder earned his second cap on 15 November 2025, substituting at half-time in a 1–0 friendly loss to in , . He remains in contention for a third appearance against on 19 November 2025. As of 16 November 2025, Elder has earned two senior caps for , with no goals scored. Discussions around his future involvement highlight his experience as a reliable defensive option, though injuries have limited opportunities since his debut. His earlier youth international appearances with had laid the groundwork for this senior breakthrough.

Professional profile

Playing style

Callum Elder primarily operates as a left-back, with versatility allowing him to deploy as a left wing-back or left midfielder in various tactical setups. His athletic profile emphasizes endurance and mobility, enabling effective overlapping runs and defensive recoveries along the flank. Elder has described himself as "an athletic full-back" who thrives on "getting up and down the left-hand-side," highlighting his capacity for sustained involvement in both attacking transitions and retreating to support the backline. This stamina, rated highly in performance metrics, underpins his ability to cover the pitch repeatedly during matches. Elder's strengths lie in his attacking contributions from the left, particularly his strong crossing ability and delivery from set pieces, as demonstrated by his direct free-kick goal for Derby County against Coventry City in August 2025. He excels in key passes and whipping in crosses to create chances, often positioning himself for overlaps that stretch opposing defenses. Defensively, he shows tenacity in the , making reliable interventions against threats. However, weaknesses include occasional struggles with ball retention under pressure and less precise passing, which can limit his involvement in build-up play. Additionally, Elder has been prone to injuries, including knee issues and recent knocks, which have occasionally disrupted his consistency. Over his career, Elder has evolved from a loan player in lower leagues to a dependable defender, establishing himself as a regular at Derby County since 2023. His development reflects adaptation to higher demands, transitioning from sporadic appearances to consistent starts in competitive environments. Managers have noted his work rate positively; for instance, Derby's has highlighted the squad's collective effort, with Elder contributing through resilience despite injury challenges. This progression aligns with traits of modern full-backs who balance defensive solidity with forward surges, though Elder prioritizes reliability over flair.

Club career statistics

Callum Elder has made a total of 290 senior appearances and scored 4 goals across various English leagues and cups as of November 10, 2025. His club career includes loan spells from Leicester City to several teams, followed by permanent moves to Hull City and Derby County.
ClubYearsLeague AppearancesLeague GoalsCup AppearancesCup GoalsTotal AppearancesTotal Goals
Mansfield Town (loan)2014–201521000210
Peterborough United (loan)2015–201618120201
Barnsley (loan)2016–2017500050
Brentford (loan)2016–2017600060
Ipswich Town (loan)2018–2019400040
Wigan Athletic (loan)2017–201827061331
Hull City2019–20231311401351
Derby County2023–present62140661
Total27431612904
Notes: League appearances include EFL Championship, League One, and League Two matches. Cup appearances cover EFL Cup and FA Cup. All loan spells were from Leicester City, where Elder did not make senior appearances but featured in 10 youth league games (1 goal). Data excludes youth and reserve matches beyond the noted Leicester U21 stint.

International career statistics

Elder has earned 2 caps for the senior national team, with 0 goals, debuting in a 2021 World Cup qualifier against and earning his second cap on November 15, 2025, in a friendly match during his return to the Socceroos squad after a four-year absence. At youth level, he made 1 appearance for the U20 team in 2013.
LevelCapsGoals
Senior ()20
Youth ( U20)10
Total30
As of November 16, 2025.

Honours and achievements

Club honours

Elder contributed to Wigan Athletic's title victory during his 2017–18 loan spell from Leicester City, where the team amassed 98 points to secure promotion to the ; he made 27 league appearances, including 24 starts, as a regular in the left-back position. At Hull City, Elder played a key role in their 2020–21 championship win, finishing with 89 points for automatic promotion; he featured in all 44 league matches, scoring once and providing defensive stability on the left flank. Joining Derby County in the summer of 2023, Elder helped secure runners-up promotion from in the 2023–24 season, with the team earning 92 points; despite injury interruptions, he recorded 26 league appearances, contributing to the side's return to the .

International honours

Elder has earned two senior caps for the national team, making substitute appearances in a 3–0 victory over in a qualifier on 2 September 2021, and in a 0–1 defeat to in an international friendly on 14 November 2025, but has not featured in any major tournaments or secured international honours as of November 2025. His limited opportunities at the senior level, including a call-up to the Socceroos squad for the November 2025 friendlies in the United States against and (with the Colombia match pending as of 16 November 2025), have prevented participation in competitive fixtures or award-winning campaigns. Despite eligibility through birth for and through his Irish mother for and Scottish father for , Elder committed to representing the Socceroos, though this has yet to yield any accolades. At youth level, Elder made one appearance for the U20 team (Young Socceroos) during the qualifiers in October 2013, contributing to a 3–0 win over but without advancing to or earning any titles. 's qualification campaign ended without success, resulting in no further youth international honours for Elder.

References

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