Simms (far right) pictured during his time at Manchester City in 2016.
Simms was born in Oldham, Greater Manchester.[4] After playing for Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City as a youth, he signed for Everton at the age of 16.[5] In July 2017, Simms won the golden boot at the CEE Cup in Czech Republic with six goals in four games.[6] He turned professional in 2019.[5]
In January 2021, Simms moved on loan to Blackpool,[7] making his debut on 23 January 2021 in the FA Cup as a substitute against Brighton & Hove Albion in a 2–1 loss.[8] In his second appearance and his league debut the following week, again as a substitute, he scored his first professional goals when he scored twice in a 5–0 win over Wigan Athletic.[9]
On 26 January 2022, Simms joined Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[10][11] He made his league debut the same day in a 2–1 loss at home to Celtic, coming off the bench at half time to replace Josh Ginnelly.[12] He scored his first goal for Hearts three days later in a 2–0 home win against Motherwell.[13]
On 29 July 2022, Simms signed for EFL Championship club Sunderland on loan for the duration of the 2022–23 season.[14][15] He was recalled on 31 December 2022.[16] He scored his first goal for Everton on 18 March 2023, scoring a late equaliser in a 2–2 draw away at Chelsea.[17]
In June 2023, reports began to emerge that newly promoted EFL Championship club Ipswich Town were interested in signing Simms, with an initial bid of up to £4m believed to have been rejected by Everton.[18]
In July 2023 he was linked with a transfer to Coventry City,[19] and signed for the club later that month on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[20]
On 26 February 2024, Simms scored his first career hat trick in the first half of the fifth round of the 2023–24 FA Cup in a 5–0 rout of Maidstone United. After scoring his first goal, Simms held up his jersey to reveal a shirt bearing the name of his teammate, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who had been hospitalized due to an injury sustained during a game against Preston North End three days earlier.[21][22] On 16 March, Simms scored a brace, including an equalizing stoppage time goal, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, ending the game 3–2 in Coventry City's favour and helping the team progress beyond the quarter-finals for the first time since the 1986–87 FA Cup.[23]
International career
Simms is eligible to play internationally for England, Poland[24] and Jamaica.[25] On 6 November 2020, he was called up to the England U20 squad for a training camp.[26] The following week, he played for England U20s as a second-half substitute in an unofficial friendly match against Aston Villa.[27]
Career statistics
As of match played on 1 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
