JOE RALLS

Full Name: Joseph William Ralls

Born: 12 October 1993

Came from: Unattached   Went to: Released

First game: 22 November 2025   Last game: 24 January 2026

Appearances: 11 (8/3)   Goals: 1

A central midfielder, born in Aldershot, Ralls began his career with local side Badshot Lea before being spotted by his hometown club, Aldershot Town. He made a first-team appearance in an Aldershot Senior Cup tie against Bagshot at the age of just 15, after a number of senior players were rested, before joining Farnborough's under-16 side.

Having agreed to play in a trial match for Premier League Fulham, the opportunity was cancelled after Cardiff City identified his potential and moved quickly to sign him, despite interest from Everton and Notts County.

Ralls made his senior debut for Cardiff at the age of 17 in a League Cup victory over Oxford United in August 2011. He signed his first professional contract the following month before making his Football League debut just 48 hours later. In February 2012, he won his only England under-19 cap, appearing against the Czech Republic.

Ralls went on to spend 14 seasons with the Bluebirds. After making 20 appearances and scoring once across his first two campaigns, he helped Cardiff win promotion to the Premier League for the 2013-14 season. He spent that campaign on loan with newly promoted Championship side Yeovil Town, making 38 appearances and scoring three goals.

On his return to Cardiff, Ralls was rewarded for his successful loan spell with a new three-year contract by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He was named the club's Young Player of the Year for 2014-15 and established himself as a Championship regular over the next four seasons. When Cardiff returned to the Premier League in 2018-19, there was no loan move away this time, and he made 29 appearances during the campaign.

Following Cardiff's relegation, Ralls remained a regular in the Championship for the next six seasons. His final campaign with the club came in 2024-25, when Cardiff were relegated to League One alongside Argyle. In June 2025, it was announced that he would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract.

In November 2025, Ralls joined Argyle as a free agent on a short-term contract until January 2026. At the time, Tom Cleverley's side were enduring a difficult campaign. Injuries, inconsistent form and the youthfulness of the squad had contributed to a shortage of experienced leaders on the pitch, with Argyle occupying the League One relegation places during the early part of the season.

Ralls made eight starts and three substitute appearances in all competitions, producing a series of impressive performances before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury during a 1-0 victory over Luton Town at Home Park in late January.

At the end of the season, he was one of three players offered a new contract by the Pilgrims. Club captain Joe Edwards signed a one-year extension, while goalkeeper Conor Hazard joined Wycombe Wanderers. Ralls' offer eventually expired without being accepted, leaving him a free agent as Argyle turned their attention to other targets, including the signing of Harvey White.