Tom Pearce Bio
Tom Mark Pearce (born 12 April 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back or left wing-back. He is best known for rising through the Leeds United academy, where he signed his first professional contract, and for representing England at both U20 and U21 level, including winning the 2018 Toulon Tournament. After spending the bulk of his early senior career with Wigan Athletic, Pearce moved abroad to join Major League Soccer side CF Montréal in 2024, before returning to English football with Chesterfield in January 2026. Standing at 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in), he is valued for his attacking instincts from the left flank and his ability to contribute goals from defensive positions.
Across his career, Pearce has played in the English Championship, League One, League Two, and Major League Soccer, building a reputation as a dependable, attack-minded full-back.
Early Life and Background
Tom Mark Pearce was born on 12 April 1998 in Ormskirk, England. Growing up in the north-west of England, he developed an early passion for football and joined local development programs as a child. His physical attributes and technical ability were quickly recognized, and he was invited into the Everton youth academy at the age of five in 2003, where he spent the formative years of his football education.
At Everton, Pearce learned the basics of positional defending, attacking overlap play, and tactical discipline that would shape his future game. However, in 2014, at the age of 16, he made the decision to leave Merseyside and join the Leeds United academy, attracted by the club’s strong track record of developing young English talent. He quickly settled into life in Yorkshire and began climbing the ranks at Leeds’ famed Thorp Arch training complex.
Path to Professional Football
Pearce’s development at Leeds United was steady and impressive. During the 2015–16 season, he played for the Leeds Under-18s and scored eight goals from left-back in 26 appearances, showcasing the attacking instincts that have since become a trademark of his game. His performances earned him a first professional contract, which he signed on 9 June 2016, and he was promoted into the club’s Under-23 setup for the following campaign.
By early 2018, Pearce had broken into Leeds United’s first-team picture under head coach Thomas Christiansen. He was named on the senior bench for the first time on 7 January 2018 in an FA Cup third-round tie against Newport County, and was given squad number 46. His first league squad appearance followed on 31 January, and he made his full first-team start on 17 March 2018 in a Championship fixture against Sheffield Wednesday under Paul Heckingbottom.
Tom Pearce Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Pearce’s breakthrough season at Leeds United came in 2017–18. He scored his first senior goal on 21 March 2018 in a 2–1 Championship win over Barnsley, finishing with a long-range strike and earning the man-of-the-match award in the process. He was nominated for Leeds United’s Young Player of The Year award in April 2018, and in May he attracted interest from Premier League clubs including his former side Everton and AFC Bournemouth.
On 7 June 2018, Pearce signed a new four-year contract at Leeds United and was handed the number 20 shirt for the 2018–19 season. After falling behind new signing Barry Douglas in the pecking order under new head coach Marcelo Bielsa, his first-team opportunities were limited, and a foot injury ruled him out for ten games. On 31 January 2019, he joined EFL League One side Scunthorpe United on a six-month loan, where he made nine appearances and scored once in a 4–1 win over Southend United.
Leeds United Academy Breakthrough (2014–2019)
Pearce spent the bulk of his formative development years at Leeds United after joining from Everton in 2014. He featured prominently for the Under-18s and Under-23s, becoming one of the more highly regarded young left-backs in the academy system. His elevation to the senior squad in 2018 marked the high point of his time at Elland Road.
Although he never fully established himself as a first-team regular, his time at Leeds gave him a strong platform and valuable Championship-level experience. The combination of his attacking output at youth level and his exposure to the senior environment under multiple managers helped prepare him for a regular role in senior football.
Wigan Athletic Era (2019–2024)
On deadline day in summer 2019, Pearce signed a three-year contract with Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee, ending speculation over a potential loan move to Greek side Aris Thessaloniki. He became a fixture at left-back for the club, making well over 100 appearances across all competitions and establishing himself as a reliable performer in the EFL Championship and League One.
Pearce scored his first Wigan goal in an EFL Trophy tie against Port Vale on 6 October 2020, and in January 2022 he extended his contract with the club until summer 2024. On 10 May 2024, Wigan announced that Pearce would be released at the end of his deal, bringing a five-year spell at the DW Stadium to a close.
CF Montréal Era (2024–2025)
On 12 July 2024, Pearce embarked on a new chapter in his career by signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with Major League Soccer side CF Montréal. The move took him abroad for the first time and gave him the opportunity to test himself in a new league and country. He featured regularly for Montréal during the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, providing experience and attacking thrust from the left flank.
Following the conclusion of Montréal’s 2025 season, the club and Pearce agreed to terminate his contract, opening the door for a return to English football.
Chesterfield Era (2026–Present)
On 9 January 2026, Pearce returned to English football by joining EFL League Two club Chesterfield on an eighteen-month contract. The move reunited him with the English game after a year and a half in North America, and he was assigned squad number 46. He is expected to add experience and attacking quality to Chesterfield’s defensive unit as the club pushes for promotion.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pearce is recognized as an attack-minded left-back who combines defensive solidity with a willingness to burst forward and contribute goals and assists. His long-range shooting, demonstrated by early strikes for Leeds, Scunthorpe, and Wigan, is one of his standout traits. He is comfortable operating as a traditional left-back or pushing higher up the pitch as a left wing-back, and he has shown tactical versatility across multiple formations during his time at Wigan, CF Montréal, and Chesterfield.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Pearce’s early career came in May 2018, when he won the 2018 Toulon Tournament with England U21s, beating Mexico 2–1 in the final. His first senior goal for Leeds, a long-range effort against Barnsley in March 2018, remains a signature moment, as does his debut EFL Trophy goal for Wigan against Port Vale in October 2020. His move to CF Montréal in July 2024 marked his first step into Major League Soccer, and his return to English football with Chesterfield in January 2026 completed a full-circle journey from academy prospect to experienced professional.
Tom Pearce International Career
Pearce has represented England at multiple youth levels, beginning with the U20s and U21s between 2018 and 2019. His most notable international achievement came in May 2018, when he was called up to the England U21 squad for the Toulon Tournament by manager Adrian Boothroyd. He made his U21 debut on 26 May 2018 in a 2–1 victory over China, and went on to be part of the squad that won the tournament with a 2–1 final win over Mexico on 9 June 2018.
In September 2018, Pearce received his first call-up to the England U20 squad, making his debut on 10 September 2018 against the Netherlands. He was later included in the England U20 squad for the 2019 Toulon Tournament, further cementing his status as one of the more reliable young English full-backs of his generation.
Tom Pearce Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Publicly available information about Tom Mark Pearce’s family background is limited. He was born and raised in Ormskirk, England, and his early football journey, starting at the Everton academy at the age of five, suggests strong family support for his sporting development. Details about his parents and any siblings have not been publicly disclosed.
Pearce keeps his personal life largely private, and there is no verified public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. He is known to be active on social media, where he engages with supporters.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season saw Tom Mark Pearce complete his first full campaign with Major League Soccer side CF Montréal. Operating primarily at left-back and left wing-back, he provided defensive stability and attacking width for the Canadian club across league and cup competitions. Although specific seasonal statistics are not detailed in available sources, his consistent selection indicated his importance to the squad throughout the year.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season, CF Montréal and Pearce mutually agreed to terminate his contract, ending his time in North America after a year and a half. The decision paved the way for his return to English football and his move to EFL League Two side Chesterfield in January 2026. Looking ahead, Pearce is expected to play a key role at Chesterfield as the club competes in the second half of the 2025–26 League Two season, bringing top-flight academy pedigree, EFL experience, and overseas professionalism to the Spireites’ back line.