Jade Rose: 10 things you may not know | OneFootball

Canada international Jade Rose is a blue!

The exciting and versatile defender has become Manchester City’s first summer signing, penning a four-year deal which will keep her at the Joie Stadium until 2029.

Her journey to the Club is an interesting story of determination, family influence and a unique education in and out of the game.

Learn more about Rose below…

PLAYING OUT

Rose describes herself as a ‘versatile’ footballer who can operate at both centre-back and at full-back.

She said: “I’m a very attack-minded centre back, I love stepping into midfield, getting the attacks starting from the back.

“I think that’s something I bring to the game, that I’m not only focused on the defensive side, but I also love getting the attack going.”

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Among the many accomplishments of Rose’s fledgling career so far, perhaps one of the most prestigious to date was being named 2023 Canada Soccer’s Young Women’s Player of the Year.

Selected by the respective National Team programmes, she claimed the prize following her nine senior team appearances which helped her nation clinch a place at the 2024 Olympic Games before unfortunately missing out on the 2023 World Cup through injury.

What’s more, she also featured on the shortlist for 2023 Player of the Year, too.

BILINGUAL

Born in Markham, a city in the York Region of Ontario, Canada - Rose can speak both the English and French language.

And she’s not the only recognisable figure to hail from her hometown with seven-time Olympic medallist sprinter Andre De Grasse and actor Hayden Christensen – of Star Wars fame – also from Markham.

FAMILY INFLUENCE

It’s fair to say sports has always been the heart of Rose and her family’s life.  Her father Gifford played American Football and her mother Karen also played the sport as well as ringette – a game similar to ice hockey.

Speaking about the influence her family had on her, City’s No.4 said: “Both my parents grew up playing sports, my dad played American football and my mum played football herself.

“My sister also plays football, she’s currently in the collegiate system in SMU, she recently had her first cap with the women’s team.

“Growing up alongside her and going from playing in our local park to playing on the world stage with her was a dream come true. It’s always been at the centre of my family and my younger brother also plays football so it’s always on the TV on the weekends.

“It’s always a constant point of conversation. You could also say our family is one of the most competitive families I’ve ever met. That drive has helped me become the athlete I am today.”

TRACK AND FIELD

“Athletics was always in the picture for my family and I,” Rose also explained.

Throughout her childhood not only did she play football, but she was encouraged alongside her siblings to participate in various sports.

These included volleyball, basketball, cross-country running, track and field, badminton and swimming.

WATCH: Rose details key attributes after City arrival

FOOTBALL EDUCATION

Having been approached by Harvard Crimson women’s soccer team in 2018, Rose committed to attending Harvard University for the 2021/22 school year.

She played and started each of her 53 appearances across her four years in the collegiate soccer system, scoring four goals and registering 11 assists from the backline.

DEGREE

Alongside her collegiate soccer career at Harvard, Rose studied and obtained a degree of Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in economics.

INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Rose made her senior Canada debut at 18 in a February 2021 SheBelieves Cup clash with Argentina and has since totalled 28 caps for her nation.

While progressing through their youth team she also featured at the 2018 CONCACAF Under-15s, Under-17s and 2020 Under-20s Championships.

She also represented their Under-17s at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2018.

ACCOLADES

Across Rose’s collegiate career she accumulated a swathe of impressive accolades.

In her sophomore year she was named in the All-Ivy First Team and All-East Region First Team as well as being one of only three Ivy League players named in the United Soccer Coaches’ 2022 Women Players to Watch list and MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list.

Following her first year at Harvard she went on to be named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, as well as an Ivy League First Team All-Star.

On the international stage, she helped Canada U17s to a bronze medal at the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17s Championships after her nation beat Haiti 2-1 in the third-place play-off.

INFLUENCES

It is said that Canadian footballers Christine Sinclair and Kadeisha Buchanan, as well as Lionel Messi, are Rose’s biggest footballing influences.

Sinclair, a legendary forward, played over 330 games for Canada and was inducted into her nation’s Hall of Fame in 2025.

Meanwhile, Buchanan has played for Chelsea since 2022 and has earned over 150 caps for Canada.