# Ian Poveda
**Ian Carlo Poveda-Ocampo** (born 2000) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a winger, most recently for [Atlético Nacional](https://www.edgepedia.org/atletico-nacional) in the Colombian Primera A. Born in London to Colombian parents, he came through the academies of Barcelona and [Brentford](https://www.edgepedia.org/brentford) before joining Manchester City, and his senior career has taken in Leeds United, three English loan spells, [Sunderland](https://www.edgepedia.org/sunderland), and a return to Colombian football in 2026.[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) • [2](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2000, London, to Colombian parents[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) |
| Position and profile | Right winger (also left wing and attacking midfield), left-footed, 167 cm[3](https://www.transfermarkt.com/vergleich/spielervergleich/statistik/def/spieler/392763%26745452) • [1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) |
| Youth career | Puerto Malagueno, Barcelona's La Masia (two years), Brentford; joined Manchester City in summer 2016[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) • [4](https://www.mancity.com/news/academy/academy-news/2016/november/ian-carlo-poveda-city-v-middlesbrough-u18s-preview) |
| Senior clubs | Manchester City (2019 debut), Leeds United (2020–2024), Sunderland (2024–2026), Internacional de Bogotá, Atlético Nacional[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o) • [2](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464) |
| Loans | Blackburn Rovers (2021/22), Blackpool (2022/23), Sheffield Wednesday (2023/24)[2](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464) |
| International career | England Under-16 and Under-17; later a Colombia international[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) • [5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o) |
## Youth career
Poveda began in youth football with Puerto Malagueno before moving to Barcelona, where he spent two years in the club's [La Masia](https://www.edgepedia.org/la-masia) academy; family reasons brought him back to England.[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) • [4](https://www.mancity.com/news/academy/academy-news/2016/november/ian-carlo-poveda-city-v-middlesbrough-u18s-preview) He then starred for Brentford, working under [Lee Carsley](https://www.edgepedia.org/lee-carsley), before Manchester City signed him in the summer of 2016 at age 16.[4](https://www.mancity.com/news/academy/academy-news/2016/november/ian-carlo-poveda-city-v-middlesbrough-u18s-preview)
At City he made an immediate impression, scoring three goals in his first two appearances and becoming an integral part of the club's [UEFA Youth League](https://www.edgepedia.org/uefa-youth-league) and [FA Youth Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fa-youth-cup) sides as well as a regular for the Elite Development Squad in Premier League 2, with 23 EDS appearances and five goals in the 2017/18 season.[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) In April 2018 he faced his former club Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League semi-final, which City lost 4-5.[6](https://www.mancity.com/news/eds/eds-news/2018/april/ian-poveda-man-city-barcelona-uefa-youth-league-preview) • [7](https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/EuroExperience/uefaorg/Publications/02/56/20/09/2562009_DOWNLOAD.pdf)
## Manchester City
Poveda made his senior debut for Manchester City against Burton Albion in January 2019, coming on in a Carabao Cup tie, and described the debut as "a dream come true".[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) • [8](https://www.mancity.com/citytv/interviews/2019/january/burton-v-man-city-player-interview) That same season The Independent named him among the best prospects in the Premier League, although Colombia's under-20 side had earlier declined to select him.[9](https://www.deportesrcn.com/futbol/ian-carlo-poveda-entre-los-mejores-prospectos-de-la-premier-league-17663)
## Leeds United and the loan years
Leeds United signed Poveda on a permanent deal in January 2020, with the club having scouted him for around twelve months; he wore the number 7 shirt at [Elland Road](https://www.edgepedia.org/elland-road).[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o) • [10](https://focusonleedsweb.wordpress.com/2020/01/13/ian-poveda-the-lowdown-on-the-young-winger/) His four years at Leeds produced limited first-team minutes, and he spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers (August 2021 to May 2022, ten appearances and one goal), [Blackpool](https://www.edgepedia.org/blackpool) (from August 2022, a season-long loan), and Sheffield Wednesday (February to May 2024).[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o) • [11](https://www.fotmob.com/players/962075/ian-poveda) • [2](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464)
The Sheffield Wednesday loan was his most productive spell: ten appearances, 572 minutes, and one assist in the 2023/24 Championship season, and a hamstring injury ended his season early.[12](https://theanalyst.com/players/5164/ian-poveda/career) Leeds released him at the end of that season.[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o)
## Sunderland
Sunderland signed Poveda on a free transfer on 24 July 2024, on a three-year contract with the option of an additional year; he was the club's fifth signing of that summer.[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o) • [2](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464) His league contribution was modest: Opta records four appearances, 284 minutes, two goals, and two assists for Sunderland across 2024 to 2025/26, with most of his outings as a substitute.[12](https://theanalyst.com/players/5164/ian-poveda/career) He left the club in early 2026.[11](https://www.fotmob.com/players/962075/ian-poveda)
## Return to Colombia
In March 2026 Poveda returned to Colombian football, joining [Internacional de Bogotá](https://www.edgepedia.org/internacional-de-bogota) on a free transfer; the club described him as bringing speed, unpredictability in one-v-one situations, and international experience to its attack.[13](https://interbogota.com/noticias/ian-poveda-es-nuevo-jugador-de-internacional-de-bogota) After a spell there in the Primera A, he moved to Atlético Nacional on a free transfer on 8 August 2026, signing a contract running to 31 December 2027.[2](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464) His market value was listed at around €900,000 to €1.2 million in late 2025 and 2026.[3](https://www.transfermarkt.com/vergleich/spielervergleich/statistik/def/spieler/392763%26745452) • [2](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464)
## International career
As a youth international Poveda represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 level.[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) He later switched to Colombia, the country of his parents, and is a full Colombia international.[5](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o)
## Playing style
Poveda is predominantly a left-footed right winger who can also play on the left flank or through the middle, described at City as nimble and fleet-footed with an eye for a pass and creative dribbling.[1](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo) • [4](https://www.mancity.com/news/academy/academy-news/2016/november/ian-carlo-poveda-city-v-middlesbrough-u18s-preview) Data-based scouting profiles classify his main archetype as a last-pass creator, a wide player who creates goals through dribbling and crossing, with creation rated his strongest composite attribute and finishing his weakest.[14](https://thescouter.top/jogador/ian-poveda/atletico-nacional/primera-a-colombia/2026)
## References
1. [Who is Man City winger Ian Carlo Poveda? – Manchester City FC](https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2019/january/who-is-ian-poveda-ocampo)
2. [Ian Poveda stats and ratings – Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/ian-poveda/907464)
3. [Player comparison Ian Poveda / Devan Tanton – Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.com/vergleich/spielervergleich/statistik/def/spieler/392763%26745452)
4. [U18s star Poveda sets his sights high – Manchester City FC](https://www.mancity.com/news/academy/academy-news/2016/november/ian-carlo-poveda-city-v-middlesbrough-u18s-preview)
5. [Sunderland sign winger Ian Poveda from Leeds United – BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cl7ypzwev28o)
6. [Confident Poveda excited by former club challenge – Manchester City FC](https://www.mancity.com/news/eds/eds-news/2018/april/ian-poveda-man-city-barcelona-uefa-youth-league-preview)
7. [UEFA Youth League 2017/18 semi-final report – UEFA](https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/EuroExperience/uefaorg/Publications/02/56/20/09/2562009_DOWNLOAD.pdf)
8. [Poveda and Nmecha: Debut a dream come true! – Manchester City FC](https://www.mancity.com/citytv/interviews/2019/january/burton-v-man-city-player-interview)
9. [Ian Carlo Poveda, entre los mejores prospectos de la Premier League – Deportes RCN](https://www.deportesrcn.com/futbol/ian-carlo-poveda-entre-los-mejores-prospectos-de-la-premier-league-17663)
10. [Ian Poveda: The lowdown on the young winger! – FocusOnLeeds](https://focusonleedsweb.wordpress.com/2020/01/13/ian-poveda-the-lowdown-on-the-young-winger/)
11. [Ian Poveda – stats, career and market value – FotMob](https://www.fotmob.com/players/962075/ian-poveda)
12. [Ian Poveda Career History – Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/5164/ian-poveda/career)
13. [Ian Poveda es nuevo jugador de Internacional de Bogotá – Internacional de Bogotá](https://interbogota.com/noticias/ian-poveda-es-nuevo-jugador-de-internacional-de-bogota)
14. [Ian Poveda Pro Scout Report – TheScouter](https://thescouter.top/jogador/ian-poveda/atletico-nacional/primera-a-colombia/2026)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of the British Isles (modern era) › English footballers 2015–present › Wingers and attacking midfielders › English wingers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license