*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:59, 28 June 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:59, 16 January 2018 (UTC)
Jesse Aaron Starkey (born 1 September 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Worthing.
Club career
After a spell with Portsmouth, Starkey joined Chelsea in 2006 and began his scholarship in 2012.[1] Although Starkey was a regular for the under-18 side, Chelsea decided against offering the player a professional contract as Jesse Starkey opted not to remain at the club on 13 June.[1] A couple of months later, Starkey joined his hometown club Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion, on a two-year deal.[2]
After a four-year spell at Brighton, Starkey joined League One side Swindon Town on a one-and-a-half-year deal.[3] On the final day of the 2016–17 campaign, Starkey made his Swindon debut in their 3–0 away defeat against Charlton Athletic.[4] He was taken off after 69 minutes having been booked just after half-time. On 5 September 2017, it was announced that Starkey had left Swindon, following the termination of his contract.[5]
He returned to League One in joining Gillingham on 15 September 2017.[6] Just over a week later, he made his debut during Gillingham's 0–0 draw with Scunthorpe United, replacing Sean Clare at half-time.[7] In November 2017, Starkey moved on loan to Worthing, of the Isthmian League Premier Division.[8] He went onto feature eight times before returning to Gillingham in January 2018. Following his return, it was announced that Starkey would leave Gillingham following the expiration of his short-term contract.[9]
On 27 January 2018, following his release from Gillingham, Starkey returned to Worthing.[10]