Chris Maxwell

Christopher Ethan Maxwell (born 30 July 1990) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Huddersfield Town.

He is a former Wales under-23 international.

Maxwell began his career at Wrexham where he made his professional debut 18 years old in the 2008–09 season before moving to newly promoted League club Fleetwood Town in May 2012.

Born in St Asaph, Maxwell began his career coming through Wrexham's youth system, and signed a one-year professional contract in June 2008, which was extended under the management of Dean Saunders in January 2009, keeping him at the club until May 2010.

Maxwell spent a six-month loan spell at Welsh Premier League team Connah's Quay Nomads during the 2008–09 season, making 20 appearances in all competitions, before being called back by Wrexham in January 2009.

He went on to start the remaining 3 league games of the 2008–09 season, claiming his first senior clean sheet on the last day of the season against Weymouth.

In April 2009, Maxwell made his first team debut for Wrexham at the age of 18.

After playing all of their 2009–10 pre-season games, Maxwell was joined at Wrexham by the more experienced Sam Russell.

After only four games of the season, new signing Russell was sidelined with a dislocated elbow, allowing Maxwell the opportunity to start.

Maxwell went on to play 21 consecutive games and kept 10 clean sheets during Russell's absence.

His contribution was acknowledged when he agreed an extension to his contract keeping him at the club until the end of the 2010–11 season.

Maxwell regained the place ahead of Russell to play the last nine games of the season keeping a further five clean sheets.

A number of defensive club records were broken; clean sheets, goals conceded and the first season where no more than two goals were conceded in a single game.

Maxwell was recognised for his performances with a number of fans awards, including being named the Wrexham Football Association 'young player of the season'.

During the 2010–11 pre-season, Maxwell was joined at Wrexham by the more experienced Scott Shearer, and found himself once again fighting for the starting place.

Maxwell took over the position in the starting line up just 10 games into the new season and soon started to attract the attention of higher league clubs.

He cemented his claim to the number one position when Shearer left the club during the January transfer window.

Wrexham managed a play-off spot, but lost out to Luton Town in the semi-final play-off games.

Maxwell finished the season with a number of fans awards including the Wrexham Football Association 'young player of the season for the second year running.

Maxwell remained at Wrexham for the start of the 2011–12 season.

After a frustrating season under new player manager Andy Morrell and starting only 11 times after losing the number one position to Joslain Mayebi, having been absent from the squad after being called up to the Wales under-21 side.

He decided he wanted to leave the club and was subsequently released.

Maxwell was immediately signed by newly promoted Football League newcomers, Fleetwood Town on 23 May 2012.

He made his Fleetwood Town and simultaneously his League debut during the 2013–14 season after successful loan spells at Wrexham and Cambridge United.

On Transfer deadline day in January 2013 Maxwell signed for his former club Wrexham on loan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season after first team goalkeeper Joslain Mayebi was ruled out with an injury for the rest of the season.

Maxwell made his second Wrexham debut in a Conference Premier match away to Forest Green Rovers.

In March 2013 Maxwell picked up his first career honour winning the FA Trophy at Wembley with Wrexham.

Wrexham went on to play at Wembley a second time where they lost to Newport County in the Conference play-off final.

He was handed the number 1 shirt by manager Richard Money despite being on loan and made his team debut on the first day of the 2013–14 season with a win against FC Halifax Town.

The season started with a 16-game unbeaten run.

This was a club record and with 11 clean sheets, 6 of which were consecutive, another club league record was established.

Maxwell was awarded the Conference Premier player of the month for October after keeping 5 clean sheets and not conceding throughout the month, this involved saving a penalty as Cambridge beat Grimsby Town 1–0 at Blundell Park.

Maxwell signed for Cambridge United on loan until January 2014 and quickly established himself as part of the team.

His loan with Cambridge ended on 6 January 2014 and he returned to Fleetwood Town.

During his loan period, Maxwell kept a total of 18 clean sheets and conceded only 10 times during 24 league games.

After Cambridge failed to secure Maxwell's services for the remainder of the season Maxwell again returned to Highbury to battle both Scott Davies and David Lucas for the number one spot.

Maxwell finally made his club and simultaneously his Football League debut under new manager Graham Alexander away from home against Wycombe Wanderers in a 1–1 draw on 11 February 2014 Maxwell retained his place for the remainder of the season helping Fleetwood to a fourth-place finish and a place in the League Two play off finals.

Maxwell kept a total of 11 clean sheets in 22 games for Fleetwood bringing his season total to 29 in 50 games with 24 in 41 competitive league games.

Maxwell signed for Preston North End in May 2016, and has since played for Charlton Athletic and Hibernian on loan from Preston.

Maxwell has played internationally for Wales at under-21 level, and all other international age groups under-19, under-17 and under-16 schoolboys teams.