The English goalkeeper has become a crucial part of Everton and England since 2017
Jordan Pickford has become a crucial part of Everton’s first team in recent years. The goalkeeper signed for the blues in the summer of 2017 and has gone on to win the club’s player of the season on numerous occasions.
The 30 year-old also England’s number one choice in goal, representing his country at four major international tournaments including in the last European Championships. He will likely feature again in the staring line-up as the blues travel to Southampton this afternoon in the Premier League. However, it hasn’t always been straightforward for Jordan’s family, who are from Sunderland.
In 2018, shortly after his transfer to Everton, Jordan’s grandfather Barrie Pigford revealed his son, Lee, had changed his name by deed poll to Pickford. This was because his classmates cruelly gave him the nickname of ‘piggy’ at school. He kept this change when Jordan was born.
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Barrie expressed his pride at Jordan’s success as he revealed the nickname his grandson gave him from a young age. He told MailOnline: “It is the best thing he did leaving Sunderland – going to Everton was a good thing for him. He’s doing good, I’m pleased for him.
“He’s six foot four, so he’s a big lad, but he’s quiet. He doesn’t brag or nothing. He’s a quiet kid really. I think the world of him. He never says Granddad, he calls me knackers.
“When he was at Sunderland I walked past the Sunderland shop and he was in there with one of the other footballers. There was a queue outside to go and see him so I said to the man on the door ‘can I go in and see Jordan, I’m his granddad?’
“He said ‘go on, go on in’ so I just walked in and he said ‘hello knackers’. When he realised what he had said he put his hand over his mouth because of all the people around him. I don’t know why he calls me that. He’s always done it from being little. I just take no notice.”
Pickford grew up as a Sunderland fan, just like his builder dad, Lee, and his mum, Sue. He was a school student at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School when his parents enrolled him into Sunderland’s academy, aged eight.
During Jordan’s spell at Sunderland, he was sent out on loan six times but took the experiences in his stride. After being recalled to the club in January 2016, he became the club’s first choice in net the following season and was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2016/17. This caught the eye of Everton, who bought him that summer.
Jordan and his wife Megan have been together for 13 years. She is a graduate of the University of Sunderland and regularly shares updates to her 140,000 followers. The happy couple tied the knot in 2020.
However, their plans for a fairytale wedding were dashed by the pandemic so they had to delay the ceremony until restrictions were lifted. Their second wedding took place in the Maldives in 2022 and Megan wowed followers with incredible snaps from the day. She said: “Worth the wait for the most magical day with my soulmate. Introducing the Pickfords.”
Jordan and Megan are proud parents to son Arlo, four, who they welcomed in 2019. They first met each other as teenagers and turned their childhood sweethearts love story into a marriage. Their second child, Ostra Haze Pickford, was born in September 2023.
Announcing the news at the time, Megan said on Instagram: “Welcome to the world Ostara Haze Pickford. Our dinky dotty dream come true.” The family had a busy summer this year. Jordan played every game for England as they made their way to the final of the Euros in Germany, where the team was beaten 2-1 by Spain. Many of the players’ families were in Germany and Megan was no exception. She was spotted in the stands several times.
The happy family reside in a plush Cheshire mansion worth over £2m. Megan has shared snippets of the incredible home in updates on her Instagram account. The stunning kitchen is decked out in stylish black and white furniture, with a luxury marble centrepiece.
