Poveda started his career in the academy at Chelsea, where he was part of the same age group as Rhian Brewster and Reece James Before joining Arsenal and Barcelona. Poveda was reported to have had a brief stint with Malaga-based side Puerto Malagueno but Poveda never played for or even officially registered with them, before joining Arsenal and Barcelona.
Brentford
Poveda joined the academy at Brentford during the 2014 off-season. He was a member of the U15 squad which finished as runners-up in the Junior Vase at the 2015 Milk Cup and progressed to make 15 appearances and score three goals for the youth team during the 2015–16 season, which also included three appearances for the Development Squad. Poveda departed Brentford in July 2016, due to the closure of the club's academy.
Manchester City
On 18 July 2016, Poveda joined the academy at Premier League club Manchester City for an undisclosed fee and commenced a two-year scholarship. He was a member of the U18 team which finished as runners-up to Chelsea in the 2016–17 FA Youth Cup. Poveda took part in Manchester City's First Team's pre-season tour of the United States in the summer of 2018. After five EFL Trophy appearances and two goals for the U21 team during the first half of the 2018–19 season, Poveda made his senior debut for the club with a start in a 1–0 EFL Cup semi-final second leg win over Burton Albion on 23 January 2019. Poveda was named on the bench for Manchester City in their 3–1 EFL Cup victory over Southampton in October 2019, with Pep Guardiola personally apologising for not bringing Poveda on after the game, with the midfielder set to come on before a goal from Southampton changed his in-game substitution. In November 2019, Poveda was called up to the Manchester City squad for their Champions League fixture against Atalanta. In January 2020, Poveda held talks with Serie A club Torino and Championship side Leeds United, with contact also from Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim ahead of a possible move in the January window.
Leeds United
On 24 January 2020, Poveda signed for Leeds United on a four-and-a-half year contract until the end of the 2023–24 season for an undisclosed fee and was assigned the number 7 shirt, with Poveda revealing he was very excited to work under his new manager Marcelo Bielsa. He made his Leeds debut on 21 June 2020 as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 Championship defeat at Cardiff City.
International career
Poveda is eligible to play for England and Colombia at international level. He won his maiden call into the England U16 squad in August 2015, while still 15 years old. He was a member of the 2015 Nike International Tournament-winning squad. He was a member of the U17 squad which won the 2016 Croatia Cup. In March 2018, Poveda received his first international call-up for 18 months, for U18 friendlies versus Qatar, Belarus and a mixed-age Argentina team. He appeared in each match and scored three goals. He also graduated to the U19 team in 2018. On 4 October 2019, Poveda was included in the England U20 squad for the first time and made his debut as a 72nd-minute substitute during a 2–2 draw away to Italy.
Personal life
Poveda was born in London, England, to Colombian parents. During his youth years, Poveda also played youth tournaments for Southwark schoolboys alongside Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson who also became professional footballers.
Style of play
Poveda plays predominantly as a winger or a forward, Poveda is capable of playing on both flanks or through the middle as an attacking midfielder or as a false 9. With Manchester City website describing his style as 'Nimble and fleet-footed', with the Manchester Evening Post describing him have 'trickery and an eye for goal'. Poveda describes himself as 'an attacking player, I can play right wing, left wing or in attacking midfield, I like to dribble with the ball, link up the play, score goals, create chances, assist and I work hard for the team'. In December 2019, Poveda revealed that Raheem Sterling was a big brother figure to him at Manchester City helping him with positioning and advice in training.
