“He’s six foot four, so he’s a big boy, but he’s quiet. He doesn’t brag or anything. He’s really a quiet kid. I think of him. He never says grandpa, he calls me a knacker.

“When he was at Sunderland, I walked past the Sunderland store and he was there with one of the other footballers. There was a queue outside to go see him, so I said to the man on the door: “Can I come in and see Jordan, I’m his grandfather?”

“He said to me ‘come on, come in’, so I came in and he said ‘hello knackers’. When he realized what he had said, he put his hand over his mouth because of all the people around him. I don’t know why he calls me that. He’s always done it since he was little. I just don’t pay attention to it.

Pickford grew up a Sunderland fan, as did his builder father, Lee, and mother, Sue. He was a pupil at St Robert’s Catholic School in Newminster when his parents enrolled him at the Sunderland academy at the age of eight.

During Jordan’s time at Sunderland, he was loaned out six times, but took the experience in stride. After being recalled to the club in January 2016, he became the club’s first choice in goal the following season and was shortlisted for the 2016/17 PFA Young Player of the Year award. This attracted the attention of Everton, who bought him that summer.

Jordan and his wife Megan have been together for 13 years. She graduated from the University of Sunderland and regularly shares updates with her 140,000 followers. The happy couple got married in 2020.

However, their fairytale wedding plans were dashed by the pandemic and they had to delay the ceremony until restrictions were lifted. Their second wedding took place in the Maldives in 2022 and Megan wowed her followers with incredible snaps from the day. She said: “It’s worth the wait for the most magical day with my soulmate. Introducing the Pickfords.”

Jordan and Megan are proud parents to their son Arlo, four, who they welcomed in 2019. They first met as teenagers and transformed their childhood sweetheart’s romance in marriage. Their second child, Ostra Haze Pickford, was born in September 2023.

Announcing the news at the time, Megan said on Instagram: “Welcome to the world of Ostara Haze Pickford. Our little dream come true.” The family has had a busy summer this year. Jordan played all of England’s matches as they headed to the Euro final in Germany, where the team were beaten 2-1 by Spain. Many of the players’ families were in Germany and Megan was no exception. She was spotted several times in the stands.

THE happy family resides in lavish Cheshire mansion worth over £2 million. Megan has been sharing snippets of the incredible home in updates on her Instagram account. The stunning kitchen is adorned with sleek black and white furniture, with a luxury marble centerpiece.