Whiteman came through the youth ranks at Manchester United before being released without being offered a scholarship until he was sixteen. He joined Sheffield United and was assigned to the U18s side and then the U21s side. At the end of the 2013–14 season, Whiteman signed his first professional contract with the club. Whiteman was called up to the first team on 18 November 2014 by Nigel Clough against Crewe in the FA Cup, coming on as an 88th-minute substitute for Stefan Scougall in a 2–0 win. However, this turned out to be his only first team appearance, with the player returning to the Under-21's. At the end of the season, the opted to take up their option of a contract extension that would ensure Whiteman remained under contract for the 2015–16 season. After impressing again in the development squad and with Nigel Adkins' pledge to play more youth players in the starting XI, Whiteman was called up to the first team on 1 March 2016 in the Blades' home league game against Burton Albion and was named on the bench, however he couldn't prevent his team losing 1–0, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Paul Coutts wearing the number 36 jersey. Whiteman kept his spot in the matchday squad but was an unused substitute in a 2–2 draw away against Fleetwood, he started for the first team, where he set up the first two goals in a 3–0 victory against Oldham on 12 March 2016. After being included in a number of first team matches towards the end of the season, Whiteman signed a contract extension with the club. At the end of the 2015–16 season, he went on to make 6 appearances. In the 2016–17 season, Whiteman was determined to make a first team breakthrough under Manager Chris Wilder. He was eventually promoted to the first team ahead of the new season. However, Whiteman struggled in the first team and spent the first half of the season on the substitute bench.
On 1 January 2017, Whiteman was loaned out to Mansfield Town for the rest of the season. Whiteman made his Mansfield Town debut, where he started the whole game, in a 1–0 win over Blackpool on 2 January 2017. In a follow up match, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–0 win over Crewe Alexandra. Whiteman then scored four more goals, including a brace against Hartlepool United on 11 February 2017. As a result, he was named January's Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month, but lost out to Ollie Watkins. Despite this, Whiteman remained in the first team for the rest of the season. He then went on to score two more goals later in the season. At the end of the 2016–17 season, having made 23 appearances and scoring 7 times for the side, he left the club on a high note, winning the club's awards, including Meden Event Security's Manager's Player of the Season.
Doncaster Rovers
Whiteman joined Doncaster Rovers on loan in June 2017. Upon joining the club, he was given a 12 shirt ahead of the new season. Whiteman made his Doncaster Rovers debut in the opening game of the season against Gillingham, where he started the whole game, in a 0–0 draw. He scored his first goal for Doncaster in a 3–2 EFL Cup win at Bradford City on 8 August 2017. Since making his debut for the club, he quickly became a first team regular for the side. On 7 October 2017, Whiteman, whilst playing for Doncaster Rovers against Southend, scored his first ever senior hat-trick, with all three goals coming within 10 second-half minutes. Whiteman's goal against Southend United earned him the Goal of The Season by attendees at the club's end of season awards ceremony. He later scored three more goals. The Sportsman named Whiteman in League One's Team Of The Half-Season. He was recalled by Sheffield United in January 2018. Soon after he was signed permanently by Doncaster Rovers for an undisclosed fee, on a three-and-a-half-year deal. For the rest of the season, Whiteman continued to regain his first team place, as he went on to make 47 appearances and scoring 7 times in all competitions at Doncaster Rovers. Shortly after he was named as team captain for the season, Doncaster Rovers reportedly turned down a substantial offer from Championship side Hull City just before the transfer window deadline on 8 August 2019. The tabled bid was believed to be worth at least £1,000,000. He signed a new contact with Doncaster in November 2019, until 2023.
Career statistics
Personal life
Whiteman grew up supporting Manchester United, whom he played for the side at the Academy.
