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Zak Kennedy Jules (born 7 February 1997) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Rotherham United. He was born in Islington, England, but has represented Scotland at all levels from under-17 to under-21.

He began his career at Reading, from where he was loaned out to Hemel Hempstead Town, Braintree Town and Motherwell. He signed with Shrewsbury Town in June 2017 and spent the 2017–18 season on loan at Chesterfield and Port Vale. He joined Barnet on loan in September 2018 before joining Macclesfield Town after leaving Shrewsbury by mutual consent in January 2019. He signed with Walsall in July 2019, where he stayed for 18 months before being sold to Milton Keynes Dons. He spent the second half of the 2021–22 season on loan at Fleetwood Town and was sold to Exeter City in July 2023. He joined Rotherham United the following summer.

Club career

Reading

Jules came through the Academy at Reading, and on 31 October 2015 was sent on loan to National League South club Hemel Hempstead Town. He made his debut for the club on 31 October, in a 6–2 victory at Gosport Borough. He made a further seven appearances for Dean Brennan's "Tudors", before he returned to the Madejski Stadium on 4 January 2016. He later said that the loan spell "toughened me up a bit". He signed an extension to his professional contract at Reading at the end of the 2015–16 season.

On 2 December 2016, Jules joined Braintree Town on a month-long loan deal. He played in three National League matches during his time at Cressing Road, and also featured in two cup games. Back at Reading, he reported that he had been working closely with "Royals" head coach Jaap Stam, who told him to be more aggressive. On 27 January 2017, Jules joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season. He endured a difficult start to his time at Fir Park as he conceded a Penalty kick (association football) in the 2–0 defeat at Celtic and scored an own goal in the 5–1 home defeat by Dundee that preceded manager Mark McGhee's departure from the club. He did though score the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at Kilmarnock on 4 March, in what was new manager Stephen Robinson's first game in charge. However, on 6 May, an error by Jules gifted Ross County a 1–0 win at Fir Park that sent the "Steelmen" into the relegation play-off zone with three matches left to play.

Shrewsbury Town

On 25 June 2017, Jules signed a two-year contract with League One club Shrewsbury Town. He scored in a pre-season friendly with Aston Villa at the New Meadow, though "Shrews" manager Paul Hurst said that "he's a player that we feel needs a lot of work". On 31 August 2017, Jules joined Gary Caldwell's League Two side Chesterfield on loan until 14 January 2018. He made his debut two days later in a 0–0 draw with Coventry City at the Proact Stadium. However, he tore 90% of his hamstring during his sixth appearance for the "Spireites" on 26 September. He was forced to return to Shrewsbury for a lengthy rehabilitation period. However, he was unable to win a first-team place at Shrewsbury due to the team's good form and excellent defensive record. On 19 January 2018, he returned to League Two after joining Port Vale on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season. He began as the "Valiants" first-choice left-back but struggled for form and was substituted after 51 minutes of his second appearance at Vale Park by manager Neil Aspin.

On 21 September 2018, Jules returned to the National League on a three-month loan at Barnet after failing to figure in new Shrewsbury manager John Askey's first-team plans. Jules made five appearances for John Still's "Bees", the last of which came in a 4–2 FA Cup victory over Braintree Town on 20 October. Jules left Shrewsbury by mutual consent on 3 January 2019.

Macclesfield Town

On 28 January 2019, Jules signed a short-term deal with League Two relegation-threatened club Macclesfield Town. He went on to become an important part of the Macclesfield defence, featuring 14 times to help the "Silkmen" to avoid relegation at the end of the 2018–19 season. His stay at Moss Rose was extended by a further 12-months after manager Sol Campbell opted to take up an option on his contract.

Walsall

On 27 July 2019, Jules signed a contract of undisclosed length with newly relegated League Two side Walsall after being signed for an undisclosed fee. Manager Darrell Clarke described him as "a young player we want to develop". He began the 2019–20 season in the starting eleven and filled in for an injured Cameron Pring at left-back. However, he went almost three months from 19 October with only one league start and was then taken off at half-time in a 3–1 defeat at Cheltenham Town on 11 January. On 8 September 2020, Jules scored his first goal for the club during a 2–2 home EFL Trophy group stage tie with Bristol Rovers. He became a key player in the first half of the 2020–21 season, filling in at left-back as well as at centre-back. Some higher division clubs were reportedly tracking him.

Milton Keynes Dons

On 1 February 2021, the final day of the January transfer window, Jules joined League One club Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut at Stadium MK on 6 February in a 2–2 draw with Sunderland, and scored his first goal three days later in a 4–1 win away at Rochdale. He made his debut at wing-back, though manager Russell Martin said he intended to play Jules as part of a back three in the long-term. Jules was indeed moved to the left side of a back three and said he felt he was adapting well to MK Dons' unique style of play that demanded confidence on the ball from the backline. He ended the 2020–21 season with 15 starts and five substitute appearances as the Dons posted a 13th-place finish in League One.

On 15 January 2022, following limited first-team opportunities at MK Dons under new manager Liam Manning, Jules joined fellow League One club Fleetwood Town on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season. He was immediately handed a start by manager Stephen Crainey, and kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Rotherham United at Highbury Stadium. The Blackpool Gazette reported that he "quickly become a key player in the Fleetwood defence". Jules went on to make 20 appearances for Fleetwood, helping the club to finish outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Jules established himself back in the Dons first-team during the 2022–23 season, earning praise from captain Dean Lewington in October. On 4 March, he got involved in an off the ball incident during a 1–0 defeat at former club Port Vale and was later given a three-game suspension for violent conduct after admitting an FA charge. Manager Mark Jackson subsequently held a team meeting to lecture the squad on ill-discipline. Jules made 27 league starts and 41 appearances total as the Dons were relegated in 21st-place.

Exeter City

On 28 July 2023, Jules joined League One side Exeter City for an undisclosed fee; he signed a one-year deal with the option of a second. He had previously played under manager Gary Caldwell at Chesterfield. He entered talks over a new contract in April 2024 after impressing during the 2023–24 campaign.

Rotherham United

On 18 June 2024, Jules agreed to join League One side Rotherham United on a two-year deal following the expiration of his Exeter City contract.

International career

Jules was born in Islington, but became eligible to play for Scotland through his mother, who came from Glasgow. He represented the under-17 team and was selected by Scot Gemmill in the Scotland squad for the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Malta. The team were knocked out at the semi-final stage. He went on to win caps at under-18 and under-19 level, before going on to make his under-21 debut in a 2–0 defeat to Iceland on 5 October 2016. He was selected in the Scotland squad for the 2017 Toulon Tournament in France, and played in the group stage games against the Czech Republic and Indonesia. The team beat the Czech this time to secure the bronze medal. It was the nation's first ever medal at the competition.

Style of play

A 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) central-defender, Jules describes himself as "fast and good on the ball" and has said that "I am quite quick and quite powerful, I have a half-decent left foot and I like to play a bit as well". A left-footed player, he can also fill in at left-back.

Career statistics

As of match played 27 April 2024

1. ^ Includes appearance/s in the FA Trophy
2. Includes appearance/s in the Herts Senior Cup
3. ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy

References

1. "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
2. ^ Zak Jules at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
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6. "Gosport Borough 2 vs. 6 Hemel Hempstead Town - 31 October 2015 - 1st XI - Hemel Hempstead Town FC". www.hemelfc.com. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
7. "Zak Jules and Noor Husin have returned to their parent club Reading today". hemelfc.com. Hemel Hempstead Town. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
8. McGarry, Graeme (9 October 2016). "Young Scotland defender Zak Jules taking leaf from manager Jaap Stam's book as he cranks up the aggression". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
9. "Contract offers made to Academy talent". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
10. "15 youngsters sign new pro deals with Reading". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
11. "Jules Found at Braintree on Loan". footballconference.co.uk. Football Conference. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
12. Graeme, McGarry (9 October 2016). "Young Scotland defender Zak Jules taking leaf from manager Jaap Stam's book as he cranks up the aggression | Glasgow Times". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
13. "Jules heads to Motherwell for loan stint". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
14. McGarry, Graeme (5 March 2017). "Zak Jules hoping first impressions are forgotten at Motherwell after winner at Kilmarnock". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
15. Lamont, Alasdair (4 March 2017). "Kilmarnock 1-2 Motherwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
16. Mullen, Scott (7 May 2017). "Zak Jules won't be Motherwell blame boy, says Heneghan". Evening Times. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
17. "Jules and Stacey leave for pastures new". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
18. Cox, Lewis (19 July 2017). "Hard work ahead for Shrewsbury Town's Zak Jules". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
19. "Defender Joins Spireites". www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk. 31 August 2017.
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22. ^ Baggaley, Michael (22 January 2018). "Zak Jules can't wait to start after joining Port Vale on loan from Shrewsbury". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
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24. Baggaley, Michael (4 February 2018). "Comment as Hugill jackpot contrasts with Port Vale's bog-standard Morecambe draw". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
25. "Town defender Zak Jules joins Barnet on loan". Shropshire Star. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
26. "Report | Barnet FC 4-2 Braintree Town - Emirates FA Cup". www.barnetfc.com. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
27. "Zak Jules Moves On". www.shrewsburytown.com. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
28. "Zak Jules and Stelios Demetriou: Macclesfield Town sign defenders". BBC Sport. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
29. Baggaley, Michael (26 April 2019). "'The main thing is we want to win' - Port Vale's Macclesfield legend on big game". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
30. "Silkmen Announce Retained List". www.mtfc.co.uk. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
31. "Walsall: Zak Jules, Gary Liddle and Rory Holden all sign for League Two club". BBC Sport. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
32. Masi, Joseph (26 July 2019). "Walsall sign Zac Jules for undisclosed fee". Express and Star. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
33. Keen, Liam (10 January 2020). "Zak Jules is determined to stay with Walsall". Express and Star. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
34. Keen, Liam (16 January 2020). "Zak Jules giving his all for Walsall opportunity". Express and Star. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
35. "EFL Trophy Match Report: Bristol Rovers 2-2 Walsall FC". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
36. Keen, Liam (1 February 2021). "Walsall agree deal to sell Zak Jules to MK Dons". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
37. McDougall, John (27 January 2021). "Zak Jules profiled as Blackburn Rovers links to Walsall starlet emerge". LancsLive. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
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40. "Rochdale 1-4 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
41. Lock, Toby (6 February 2021). "Positive signs after Jules' Dons debut". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
42. "Jules growing with every game". www.mkdons.com. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
43. "Zak Jules: Fleetwood sign MK Dons defender on loan for rest of season". BBC. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
44. "Fleetwood 1-0 Rotherham: Anthony Pilkington last-gasp winner knocks Rotherham off top spot". Sky Sports. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
45. Sandells, Tom (8 February 2022). "No need for Fleetwood to fear MK Dons says Zak Jules". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
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49. "Ill-discipline and suspensions have cost MK Dons dearly - Jackson". Milton Keynes Citizen. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
50. ^ "Games played by Zak Jules in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
51. "Exeter City sign MK Dons defender Jules". BBC Sport. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
52. "💬 Zak Jules on signing for City". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
53. James, Stuart (12 April 2024). "Exeter City in talks with Zak Jules over new long-term deal". Devon Live. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
54. "Jules Joins As Eighth Summer Signing". Rotherham United F.C. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
55. Mullen, Scott (1 February 2017). "'Jules Holland' - Zak out to impress Dutch mentor Jaap Stam during loan spell at Motherwell from Reading". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
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58. Stewart, Craig P. (19 May 2014). "Netherlands 5–0 Scotland: Positives for U-17s". The Scotsman. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
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60. "Zak Jules U21". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
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64. "Scotland finish third at Toulon Tournament with 3-0 win". Scottish FA. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
65. "JULES AND HOLSGROVE TAKE BRONZE WITH SCOTLAND IN TOULON". Reading FC. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
66. "Jules: "I want to continue to develop."". chesterfield-fc.co.uk. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
67. "Games played by Zak Jules in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
68. ^ "Games played by Zak Jules in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
69. "Zak Jules Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
70. ^ "Games played by Zak Jules in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
71. ^ "Games played by Zak Jules in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
72. "Games played by Zak Jules in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
73. ^ "Games played by Zak Jules in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
74. ^ "Games played by Zak Jules in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2023.

External links

• Zak Jules at Soccerway
• Zak Jules at the Scottish Football Association

• 1997 births
• Living people
• Footballers from the London Borough of Islington
• People from Islington (district)
• Scottish men's footballers
• Scotland men's youth international footballers
• Scotland men's under-21 international footballers
• English men's footballers
• English people of Scottish descent
• Black British sportsmen
• Men's association football defenders
• Reading F.C. players
• Hemel Hempstead Town F.C. players
• Braintree Town F.C. players
• Motherwell F.C. players
• Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
• Chesterfield F.C. players
• Port Vale F.C. players
• Barnet F.C. players
• Macclesfield Town F.C. players
• Walsall F.C. players
• Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players
• Fleetwood Town F.C. players
• Exeter City F.C. players
• Rotherham United F.C. players
• English Football League players
• National League (English football) players
• Scottish Professional Football League players
• 21st-century English sportsmen
• 21st-century Scottish sportsmen