Why Bobby De Cordova-Reid added his mother's name to his professional football identity
In short: Born in Bristol and raised in the Easton neighbourhood, Bobby De Cordova-Reid has carved a distinguished path through the English football leagues. Beyond his professional achievements, his name change in 2018 serves as a deliberate tribute to his mother, honouring the significant sacrifices she made throughout his upbringing.
Born on 2 February 1993, Bobby De Cordova-Reid began his professional journey with Bristol City, where he debuted in 2011. His early career involved several loan spells at clubs including Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic, and Plymouth Argyle. He eventually established himself as a key figure at Bristol City, notably helping the team reach the 2017–18 EFL Cup semi-finals. During that standout season, he scored 19 goals, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.
In 2018, he transferred to Cardiff City for a reported £10 million fee, marking his entry into the Premier League. Following a stint at Fulham, where he contributed to their 2021–22 Championship title win, he joined Leicester City in 2024. His professional life is deeply rooted in family; he is the cousin of footballer Anthony McNamee and the brother of Labour Member of Parliament Marsha de Cordova. In October 2018, he formally adopted his mother’s surname, De Cordova, to publicly recognise her hard work.
Internationally, De Cordova-Reid represents Jamaica, having made his debut in 2019. His contributions to the national team include participating in three CONCACAF Gold Cups, with a semi-final appearance in 2023, and the 2024 Copa América. His impact on the international stage was highlighted in 2021 when his volley against Suriname in the CONCACAF Gold Cup was awarded Goal of the Tournament. Today, he continues his career at Leicester City, balancing his club commitments with his international duties for Jamaica.
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