Nicholas Edward Powell (born 23 March 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or as a striker for EFL Championship club Stoke City. He began his career at Crewe Alexandra, initially as a forward, making his debut at the age of 16. After impressing for Crewe Alexandra during the 2011–12 season, including scoring in their 2–0 victory in the League Two play-off Final, he moved to Manchester United in July 2012. Unable to break into the Manchester United first team, however, he went on loan to Wigan Athletic, Leicester City and Hull City before being released in June 2016. He joined Wigan Athletic in July 2016. He spent three seasons at the DW Stadium before joining Stoke City in June 2019. He has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels. Club career Crewe Alexandra Born in Crewe, Cheshire, Powell attended Sandbach School and started his career at home-town club Crewe Alexandra, joining their youth system as a five-year-old. He made his debut for Crewe on 19 August 2010, in a League Two game against Cheltenham Town, which ended in a 3–2 defeat at Whaddon Road. At the age of 16 he came on as a second-half substitute for Clayton Donaldson, becoming the second youngest player ever to appear for Crewe. On 20 August 2011, after only being on the pitch for eight minutes, Powell was sent off for the first time in the 2–0 defeat to Shrewsbury Town, following a poor challenge on Terry Gornell. Powell scored his first senior goal in a 3–1 away win at AFC Wimbledon on 15 October 2011. In January 2012, Powell was awarded the Football League's Young Player of the Month Award for December. He scored his first brace against Gillingham in a 4–3 win on 10 March 2012. On 21 April 2012, he won every award at Crewe's end of season awards ceremony, becoming the first player to win all five, including Goal of the Season (for his 30-yard strike in the 4–3 win at Gillingham), Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year. On 27 May 2012, Powell scored the most important goal of his career so far, a volley from outside the box into the top corner in the 2–0 victory over Cheltenham Town in the 2012 League Two play-off Final at Wembley Stadium, to win promotion to League One. Manchester United