Josh Knight

Joshua Michael Knight (born 7 September 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or a midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96.

Josh Knight

Personal information
Full name	Joshua Michael Knight[1]
Date of birth	(1997-09-07) 7 September 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth	Fleckney, England[2]
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Position(s)	Defender, midfielder
Team information
Current team	Hannover 96
Number	2
Youth career
2014–2016	Leicester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2021	Leicester City	1	(0)
2019	→ Peterborough United (loan)	8	(0)
2019–2020	→ Peterborough United (loan)	24	(3)
2020–2021	→ Wycombe Wanderers (loan)	37	(1)
2021–2024	Peterborough United	109	(6)
2024–	Hannover 96	23	(3)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 May 2025

Early life

Knight was born to Sue and Mick and attended Robert Smyth Academy in Market Harborough.^[4] He and his family are lifelong Leicester City fans.^[5]

Career

Leicester City

Knight began his football at Fleckney Athletic and joined the Leicester City Academy at the age of eight. Knight received his scholarship at the age of sixteen, making numerous appearances for the U18s and signed his first professional contract with the club as he turned 18.^[6]

Knight made his debut for Leicester City on 22 August 2017 in a victory in the Football League Cup away at Sheffield United.^[7] On 11 January 2019, Knight was awarded Premier League 2 player of the month for December.^[8]

Peterborough United (loan)

On 31 January 2019, Knight signed a new contract with Leicester and joined Peterborough United on loan for the rest of the season.^[9] He made his debut for the club against Oxford United on 16 February 2019, but came off injured in the 22nd minute.^[10]

On 2 August 2019, Knight re-signed for Peterborough on loan for the 2019–20 season.^[11]

Knight scored his first senior goal in a 3–0 victory over Sunderland on 31 August 2019.^[12]

Wycombe Wanderers (loan)

Knight signed a short-term loan with Championship club Wycombe Wanderers on 5 October 2020.^[13] On 7 January 2021, this loan spell was extended until the end of the 2020–21 season.^[14] He scored his first goal for Wycombe in an FA Cup tie against Preston North End on 9 January 2021.^[15]

Knight won both the Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year awards at the end of the season.^[16]

Peterborough United

On 2 July 2021, Knight signed for Peterborough on a permanent deal following two previous loan spells at the club.^[17]

On 7 April 2024, Knight was a part of the Peterborough United squad that defeated Wycombe Wanderers in the 2024 EFL Trophy final.^[18]

Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, he was offered a new contract by Peterborough.^[19] In May 2024, it was reported that Knight had been offered lucrative terms by an overseas club, initially suggested to be Werder Bremen.^[20]

Hannover 96

On 11 June 2024, Knight agreed to join 2. Bundesliga club Hannover 96 on a two-year contract with the option for a further twelve months.^[21]

Career statistics

As of end of 2023–24 season

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Leicester City U21	2016–17[22]	—			—		—		1[a]	0	1	0
	2017–18[23]	—			—		—		5[a]	2	5	2
	2018–19[24]	—			—		—		3[a]	0	3	0
	Total		—		—		—		9	2	9	2
Leicester City	2017–18[23]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	—		1	0
	2018–19[24]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2019–20[25]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2020–21[26]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Peterborough United (loan)	2018–19[24]	League One	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
	2019–20[25]	League One	24	3	0	0	1	0	1[a]	0	26	3
	Total		32	3	0	0	1	0	1	0	34	3
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)	2020–21[26]	Championship	37	1	2	1	0	0	—		39	2
Peterborough United	2021–22[27]	Championship	36	0	2	0	1	0	—		39	0
	2022–23[28]	League One	30	1	3	0	2	0	4[b]	1	39	2
	2023–24[29]	League One	43	5	4	0	3	0	7[c]	1	57	6
	Total		109	6	9	0	6	0	11	2	135	8
Hannover 96	2024–25[30]	2. Bundesliga	0	0	0	0	—		—		0	0
Career total			178	10	11	1	8	0	21	4	218	15

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. Three appearances one goal in EFL Trophy, one appearance in League One play-offs
3. Five appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances and one goal in League One play-offs

Honours

Peterborough United

• EFL Trophy: 2023–24^[18]

Individual

• Wycombe Wanderers Player of the Season: 2020–21^[16]