Matthew James Jacob (born 3 June 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL League Two club Newport County on loan from club Hull City.
Personal life Jacob is grandson of former Hull City defender Geoff Barker.
Career Jacob joined Hull City at Under-9s level. After progressing through the academy, he joined Pickering Town on loan in 2019, and was voted the club's Player of the Season. He then joined Gateshead on loan in August 2021.
In March 2023, he extended his contract with Hull, having first signed professionally in May 2019, and later captained the Hull U21 side on occasion. It was a new one-year deal, taking him until the end of the 2023–24 season. The contract also contained the option for a further year.
A left-back, He made his professional debut for Hull City on 1 January 2024, appearing as a second-half substitute for Liam Delap against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Championship. Shortly afterwards, on 6 January 2024, he made his first start for Hull City, and scored a late equalising goal against Birmingham City as they drew 1–1 in the FA Cup third round.
In February 2024, Jacob was named Hull City's Player of the Month for January. On 1 March 2024, Jacob signed a new three-year contract with Hull City.
On 24 January 2025, Jacob scored his first league goal, the second goal, in a 3–0 win at Sheffield United. On 4 July, Jacob joined EFL League One club Reading on a season-long loan move. On 2 January 2026, Reading confirmed that Jacob had returned to his parent club Hull City after his loan was ended early. On 1 September 2026 Jacob joined EFL League Two club Newport County on loan for the remainder of the 2026-27 season.Jacob Newport loan He made his Newport debut on 5 September 2026 in the 1-0 League Two defeat to Northampton Town.Jacob Newport debut
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHull City2021–22Championship000000—002022–23Championship000000—002023–24Championship1401100—1512024–25Championship810000—812025–26Championship501000—60Total271210000292Gateshead (loan)2021–22National League North31020—10340Reading (loan)2025–26League One140101000160Career total721511010792
References