Jose Baxter is an English former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder during his athletic career. Born in Bootle in 1992, Baxter began his development with his hometown club, Everton. He achieved early prominence in 2008 when, at the age of 16 years and 191 days, he became the Premier League's youngest-ever starter, a notable record that stood for nearly two decades before being surpassed in 2026.
Despite his early breakthrough, Baxter spent much of his initial tenure on the fringes of Everton's first team, which included a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers. Seeking more consistent playing opportunities, he rejected a new contract offer from Everton in 2012. This decision led him to Oldham Athletic, where he established himself during a highly successful single season before being acquired by Sheffield United just under twelve months later.
His subsequent three-year period in Yorkshire with Sheffield United was marked by interruptions due to suspensions, ultimately resulting in his release. Following a period as a free agent, Everton signed Baxter once again in 2017, offering him an opportunity to rebuild his professional career within their reserve squad. He later secured a return to Oldham in the summer of 2018 and concluded his active career with a brief spell at Plymouth Argyle in late 2019. On the international stage, Baxter represented England at both the under-16 and under-17 levels.
