Crystal Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth initially joined Exeter City on a season-long loan in advance of the 2024/25 campaign. Then aged twenty, he had represented England at age-group level as well as playing twice in the Premier League. Increasingly confident as the season progressed, he followed in a recent line of loan goalkeepers who won players of the season awards whilst at St James' Park. After a period of speculation he returned to the club in July 2025 on a similar basis. 

Born on the outskirts of South London, Joe was on the books of AFC Wimbledon whilst at primary school before switching to Crystal Palace for whom he became a scholar/trainee in 2020 after representing England at both under-15 and under-16 level. Subsequently gaining further international honours for England under-18s, he became a full-time professional for the Selhurst Park club and made his league debut against Brighton & Hove Albion on 15 March 2023. In becoming the club's youngest-ever Premier League 'keeper Joe also featured against Arsenal four days later as well as featuring on a number of occasions for Palace under-21s in the EFL Trophy prior his arrival at St James' Park on a season-long loan in July 2024.

Starting the new season in the team, he was one of six players making a first league start for City in the 1-0 win over Rotherham United on 10 August 2024 and quickly needed to win over City's supporters having followed in the footsteps of previous highly-regarded 'loan goalkeepers' Cameron Dawson and Viljami Sinisalo.

Gradually growing into the task, Joe showed increasing consistency as he featured in all of the Grecians' league, FA Cup and League Cup games during the 2024/25 campaign - keeping sixteen clean sheets along the way - and duly followed in the footsteps of Dawson and Sinisalo by winning the supporters' player of the year award (in addition being named 'away player of the season').

With City yet a sign a 'keeper for the new season, and having released Harry Lee and Shaun McDonald, Joe rejoined the club on another long-loan in July 2025. Immediately re-establishing himself as first-choice, he had conceded just 23 goals in 24 league games - and two in three cup ties - before featuring in the team that lost 10-1 to Manchester City in the FA Cup in January 2026.