Josh Sims (footballer)

Club career

Josh Sims came through Southampton's youth system after joining their academy from the Elite Training Centre in 2011. His first senior appearance came on 27 November 2016, when he played against Everton in the Premier League. Within a minute of coming on, he set up Charlie Austin to score with a header, giving Southampton a 1-0 win.

By halftime, Sims had completed 95% of his passes, the best rate of anyone on the field. A few weeks later, on 8 December, he made his Europa League debut in a 1-1 draw with Hapoel Be'er Sheva. In January 2017, he delivered another crucial assist, this time for Shane Long in a 1-0 victory at Liverpool that sent Southampton to the EFL Cup final.

In August 2018, Sims went on a season-long loan to Reading. He made his first appearance for them two days later, coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers. Reading recalled him in January 2019.

The following August, he joined the New York Red Bulls on loan for the rest of the calendar year. On 20 October 2019, he scored his first professional goal, putting New York 1-0 up against Philadelphia Union in the MLS Cup Playoffs, though they eventually lost 4-3 in extra time. His loan was extended until June 2020, and he finished with one goal in nine matches.

Sims moved to League One side Doncaster Rovers on a three-month loan in October 2020. He scored his first goal in English football on 24 October, but Doncaster lost 2-1 to Crewe Alexandra. He rejoined Doncaster in January 2021 for the rest of the season. Southampton released him at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

In February 2022, he signed for Scottish Premiership club Ross County, staying until his contract ended in July 2024. He then joined National League side Yeovil Town in August 2024, but was let go after the 2025-26 season. On 1 July 2026, he signed for National League South club AFC Totton.

Personal life

Sims grew up in Gillingham, Dorset and attended Gillingham School. In early January 2022, he tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced fatigue while playing after returning from a hamstring injury. In late March 2021, he suffered a glute injury, recovered, but still felt fatigued, lost his appetite, and lost weight. In April 2021, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

In May 2021, he was hospitalised with myocarditis, staying three nights, but within three hours of returning home developed chest pain and was readmitted for a week with pericarditis. In late June 2021, swelling moved to his lungs, requiring another hospital stay. In early August 2021, he woke with a stabbing pain but has since recovered.