Jack James Walton (born 23 April 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Dundee United.
Club career Walton started his youth career with Bolton Wanderers' Academy before switching to Barnsley in 2013, where he was named Academy Player of the year for 2014–15. In August 2015, he signed his first professional contract with the club, of three years.
On 25 January 2016, Walton was loaned out to Conference North club Stalybridge Celtic on a 28-day youth loan. He made his debut the same day in a goalless draw with Curzon Ashton.
Walton returned to Stalybridge Celtic on 22 September 2017 for one month, during which he played eight times and kept three clean sheets. Upon returning to his parent club, he said "I really enjoyed my time with Stalybridge and I can't thank them enough for taking the chance on me to play for them". In January 2018, he was reloaned to Stalybridge Celtic for the remainder of the season, but was recalled in March and was named on the bench for a Championship match at home to Millwall. He made a brief return to Stalybridge before, on 24 April 2018, making his debut for Barnsley in a 3–0 league defeat against Nottingham Forest. He went on to play twice more during the season, and kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Brentford.
On 2 July 2018, Walton signed a two-year contract extension with Barnsley. On 13 August 2020, Walton signed a new three-year contract extension with Barnsley.
On 30 January 2023, after making just one league appearance all season, Walton moved up a division by signing for Luton Town for an undisclosed fee. Luton goalkeeper Harry Isted moved in the opposite direction on loan for the rest of the season on the same day. Luton's season culminated in promotion to the Premier League, but Walton failed to make an appearance. He left on loan prior to the season starting.
On 10 July 2023, it was announced that Walton had signed for Scottish Championship side Dundee United on loan until the end of the season. On 26 June 2024, having enjoyed a successful spell, which saw United promoted to the Scottish Premiership, Walton returned to Tannadice on another season-long loan deal.
On 22 July 2025, Walton joined Championship club Preston North End on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. On 15 April 2026, he joined Cambridge United on a seven-day emergency loan.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBarnsley2015–16League One00000000002016–17Championship000000—002017–18Championship300000—302018–19League One30001020602019–20Championship900000—902020–21Championship2400010—2502021–22Championship702010—1002022–23League One1030203090Total470505050620Stalybridge Celtic (loan)2015–16National League North10———102017–18Northern Premier League180——10190Total190——10200Luton Town2023–24Premier League000000—002024–25Championship000000—00Total0000000000Dundee United (loan)2023–24Scottish Championship3601040304402024–25Scottish Premiership3601040—410Total720208030850Preston North End2025–26Championship300020—50Cambridge United (loan)2025–26League Two10———10Career total142060110901730
Style of play Former Barnsley manager Lee Johnson described Walton as a player who is technically good and has good character.
References