Ruben Shakpoke played for Norwich's Under-18s in their pre-season clash with Colchester on 24th July 2019 and against Dereham on 9th October 2019. He was an Under-16 with Norwich at the time. He is a student at the Langley School and won the Under-15 Small Schools Cup Final in May 2019. Whilst playing for Norwich's Under-15s, he once scored eleven goals in one game against Watford.

In June 2018 he was called up to an England Under-15 training camp and he was selected for the Under-15s against Belgium in February 2019. He has also been linked with Nigeria as his father Jero Shakpoke was the Super Eagles first choice right-back leading up to the 1998 World Cup, but the defender missed out on the tournament in France after suffering a serious injury in a pre-World Cup friendly against the Netherlands.

On 2nd August 2020, it was reported that Shakpoke was in talks with Aston Villa after rejecting a shcolarship offer from Norwich. Dutch giants PSV are also said to be interested. He eventually signed for Villa on 1st October 2020 and made his debut for their Under-18s on 17th October 2020 in a 2-0 win over Spurs. Academy manager Mark Harrison said: “We’re delighted to announce Ruben’s signing and welcome him to the club. He has joined us after a lot of hard work was put in during our recruitment process and I thank everyone for their efforts. We’re looking forward to working with Ruben and developing his talents.”

Released by Villa in the summer of 2023, he signed for West Brom on 25th August 2023 following a trial. He hadn't progressed further than Villa's Under-21s.

Albion academy manager Richard Stevens said: "I believe this will be a great place for him to be. For whatever reason, it didn't work out there for Ruben. He's had some long-term injuries, which has been a challenge for him. This gives him the chance to make up on the time he missed through injury, and see if we can find those levels and be the player which the footballing world recognised a few years ago. He's a great boy. He is really humble."