Joel Colwill joined Exeter City on loan from Cardiff City in January 2025 having previously been on loan at Cheltenham Town.

Signing for Cardiff City as a scholar/trainee in 2021, Joel had already played for Wales at under-16 level before progressing over the next four seasons to be capped at various levels through to under-21. Becoming a full professional in 2022, he made his Cardiff City first-team debut in the EFL Cup against Colchester United in August 2023 and added another four appearances in all competitions during the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

Younger brother of Cardiif City and Wales midfielder Rubin Colwill, Joel was loaned to Cheltenham Town in August 2024 and over the following five months turned out 28 times for the Gloucestershire club including twenty league starts. Scoring nine times for Cheltenham - and then aged twenty - Joel was recalled by Cardiff in January 2025 and immediately lent to Exeter City so that he could gain experience at a higher level.  

On arrival at St James' Park, Joel made his debut at the earliest opportunity when he came on as a substitute at Birmingham City on 18 January 2025 with his first start following against Peterborough three days later. He subsequently added to his tally of Welsh under-21 caps whilst at St James' Park and featured in squads alongside Grecian defender Ed James.