Player Profile

Signed on loan from Rotherham for the 2019/20 season, Yates became a key part of Richie Wellens’ League Two championship winning side, despite playing second fiddle to the prolific Eoin Doyle. Yates also became a firm fan favourite, dubbed the "Yorkshire Pelé" to Doyle’s ginger version of the Brazil legend.

Despite often being pushed out into a wide forward role to accommodate Doyle rather than playing centrally, Yates managed 13 goals over the truncated season including a brace at Grimsby in December. Many of his best performances came in games where Doyle was absent or Town were playing with two central strikers, notably scoring from the spot against Bradford when Doyle was unable to play under the terms of his loan deal and then scoring again a week later in a 3-1 win at Crewe after Doyle had been recalled.

Yates himself was recalled by Rotherham towards the end of January, causing a great deal of consternation amongst the Town faithful. Eight days later, Yates was back, having played one game for his parent club in the meantime, and scored once more - again against Grimsby - before the season ended prematurely.

Ahead of the 2020-21 season, Rotherham made it clear that they were willing to part with Yates and Town made several bids, but the player ended up joining Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.

Playing Record

Senior

Career details

Club	Details
Rotherham United Rotherham United	(youth) July 2014 (signed professional contract); transferred out (July 21st, 2020)
Harrogate Railway Athletic Harrogate Railway Athletic	rptd February 6th, 2015 (loan)
Harrogate Town Harrogate Town	rptd October 27th, 2015 (loan); recalled from loan (rptd November 27th, 2015)
Harrogate Town Harrogate Town	rptd December 18th, 2015 (loan); recalled from loan (rptd January 19th, 2016)
Carlisle United Carlisle United	rptd July 20th, 2018 (loan); recalled from loan (rptd January 1st, 2019)
Swindon Town Swindon	June 20th, 2019 (loan); recalled from loan (rptd January 21st, 2020)
Swindon Town Swindon	January 29th, 2020 (loan); expired (rptd June 23rd, 2020)
Blackpool Blackpool	July 21st, 2020 (transferred in, undisclosed fee reported to be around £200,000 with add-ons); transferred out (July 12th, 2024)
Swansea City Swansea City	July 12th, 2024 (transferred in, undisclosed fee believed to be around £2.5m)
Derby County Derby County	July 2nd, 2024 (loan)