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FROM DULWICH COLLEGE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE: THE RISE OF REUBEN GOKAH (16-25)
What is a ‘normal’ day like for you as a professional footballer? Is it very different from your old school daily routine ? I normally report to the training ground for 8:45am. As a squad we usually have breakfast together before training. Typically, the morning sessions are tactically focused on our next match. Our coaches study the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and the training sessions focus on how we can adapt our game to hopefully beat them! After the morning training we often have a recovery yoga session before lunch at 12:45pm. The afternoon session is typically gym based, involving a series of strength and conditioning circuits led by our head of physical development. These vary throughout the week, and while some aim to target the building of upper body strength others may focus on the development of muscular power output. Once training is over for the day, I shift my focus to my A Level studies; Latin and English Literature. These start around 3:30pm and finish in the late afternoon. There is a big difference between this and my routine at Dulwich and I find it requires a lot of time management and discipline in order to balance both football and studying. How big a part does food and nutrition play in the life of a professional sportsman, like yourself ? Nutrition plays a significant part in the life of all players at the Club. We receive a considerable amount of guidance and information about the right sorts of food to eat and how best to fuel our bodies to allow us to perform to the highest standard. What is life like as a young professional footballer? The demands of playing at a high level require strict dedication to your craft and considerable discipline. However, I thoroughly enjoy the challenges and benefits of playing football in such a professional and supportive environment. Being around the coaches and the players every day is also a great experience. As is being able to play against and train with some of the best players in the country. What has been the biggest learning experience for you so far in moving from club football to representing your country at international level? Moving from playing club to international football has brought new pressures and challenges, particularly the expectation to perform consistently at the highest level. However, playing for England has significantly improved me as a player and I already find I can much better handle the added pressure that comes with the national shirt. As you look ahead and continue to grow both as a player and a person, what are you most excited about developing over the next few years? Looking forward, I am excited to continue developing as a player whilst also maturing as a person in what is still a relatively new environment. While I appreciate that the demands and challenges of being a young professional will continue, I have no doubt that such experiences will also benefit me greatly and help to develop my character and resilience. I am definitely excited for what is yet to come as a professional.
Club Progression and England Recognition
Beyond the College gates, Reuben’s talent did not go unnoticed for long. He progressed through Charlton Athletic’s academy ranks and earned caps for England at U15 and U16 level. His performances were marked by a maturity beyond his age, strong in the tackle, intelligent in his positioning, and calm under pressure. In the summer of 2025, Reuben signed for Everton as a first-year scholar, shortly after helping them to win the prestigious U17 Geneva Cup. Days later, he was called up to represent England U17s, further acknowledgement of his rapid development and growing reputation. milestone in his career. Joining a Premier League academy is an achievement in itself, but Reuben quickly made an impression on Merseyside. His performances for Everton’s U18s highlighted the same composure and authority that had defined his time at Dulwich. In February 2026, shortly after turning 17, Reuben signed his first professional contract with Everton, The Move to Everton: A New Chapter Reuben’s move to Everton in August 2025 marked a major “It’s an exciting moment for me and a big achievement for both me and my family,” he told evertonfc.com . “I’ve worked very hard. I’m really happy to be given this opportunity… I’m really looking forward to what the future has for both me and this club.” His contract, which runs until June 2028, cements him as one of the brightest young defensive talents in the country. Having settled at Everton, Reuben was pleased to answer some of our questions, giving us an insight into the life of a young professional footballer.
How a calm young centre-back grew from school football standout to professional Everton player
When Reuben Gokah first joined DUCKS, few could have predicted that the quiet, composed young man would one day sign a professional contract with a Premier League club. Yet over the course of nearly a decade at the College, Reuben established himself not only as an exceptional footballer but also as a model student; dedicated, disciplined and relentlessly committed to improvement both on and off the pitch.
Early Promise: A Leader in the Making
Reuben’s footballing journey at Dulwich was characterised by consistency, leadership and moments of brilliance. His talent was recognized early on and his commanding figure as a defender became a talking point both within his year group and beyond. He was instrumental in the success of the U13A team’s National Cup semi-final victory in February 2022, helping the team to the IFSA National Final for the first time in the College’s history. National cup success became a familiar theme for him and Reuben would go on to lift the ISFA Cup twice, at both U13 and U15 level, while also representing the College 1st XI in his later years.
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