Yates signed professionally for Rotherham United in 2014. He scored his first senior goal while on loan at Harrogate Railway Athletic in February 2015.[3] He made his debut in the Football League on 3 April 2015, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Richard Smallwood in a 2–1 defeat to Birmingham City at St Andrew's.[4] He had a loan spell with Harrogate Town cut short during the 2015–16 season as the Millers needed cover due to injuries.[5] During Yates's loan spell at Harrogate Town, he totalled eight appearances and scored four goals. He scored his first professional goals for Rotherham when he scored twice in a 5–4 EFL Cup loss against Morecambe on 9 August 2016.[6] On 14 January 2017 he scored the opening goal against Norwich City on his full league debut. Rotherham United went on to win the game 2–1.[7]
Yates would make 20 appearances throughout the 2017–18 season, helping Rotherham achieve promotion via the EFL League One play-offs.
Carlisle United (loan)
On 20 July 2018, Yates headed out on loan to League Two side Carlisle United until January for the 2018–19 season. He scored his first goal for Carlisle in a 3–2 EFL Trophy win over Morecambe on 4 September 2018.[8] Yates scored an 88th-minute winner in a 2–1 win at home to Macclesfield Town in Carlisle's last match of 2018. It was his sixth goal in as many games.[9] Yates was recalled by Rotherham on 1 January to provide cover for injuries.[10]
Swindon Town (loan)
On 20 June 2019, Yates joined League Two team Swindon Town on a season-long loan.[11] He scored his first goal for Swindon in a 2–0 win away to Scunthorpe on the opening weekend of the EFL League Two season. He scored his second goal in a 3–2 win at home to his old club, Carlisle on 10 August 2019. After scoring twelve goals in the first half of the season, he was recalled early from his loan spell on 21 January 2020. On 29 January 2020 Yates rejoined Swindon Town on loan until the end season.[12]
Blackpool
Yates joined Blackpool for an undisclosed fee on 21 July 2020, signing a three-year contract, with the club having the option to extend it for a further year.[13] He scored his first goals for the club when he netted twice in a 2–1 win over Burton Albion on 31 October 2020.[14]
Yates ended the 2020–21 season as Blackpool's top scorer, with 23 goals. 20 of those came in the League, which is the joint-highest total scored by a Blackpool player since Andy Watson in 1993–94.[15]
Yates was voted the PFA Fans' Player of the Year for the 2020–21 League One campaign.[16] He signed a new three-year contract with the club on 23 July 2021. It included an option for a further twelve months.[17]
In July 2023, Yates joined Championship club Swansea City on a three-year deal following Blackpool's relegation to League One.[19] Yates played 46 times in his first season for Swansea, scoring 9 goals.
Derby County (loan)
On 2 July 2024, Yates joined fellow Championship club Derby County on loan for the 2024–25 season.[20] After missing Derby's first three matches of the season due to a red-card suspension from the previous season, Yates made his Derby County debut in a 2–1 defeat to Watford on 24 August 2024.[21] He scored his first Derby goal in a 1–1 draw at Millwall on 19 October 2024.[22]
Career statistics
As of match played 29 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
^ abGrayson, James (8 February 2015). "Railway held at Padiham". Non League Yorkshire. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.