Ajay Matthews

Ajay Matthews
Personal information
Full name Ajay Matthews[1]
Date of birth (2006-06-11) 11 June 2006 (age 18)[2]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Middlesbrough
Number 53
Youth career
2014– Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Middlesbrough 1 (0)
International career‡
2022 England U17 3 (0)
2024- England U18 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:39, 24 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:06, 28 May 2024 (UTC)

Ajay Matthews (born 11 June 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Middlesbrough.

Early life

Ajay is of Indian descent through his mother.[3]

Career

Matthews joined the academy on hometown club Middlesbrough at under-9s level having been spotted playing for local side Marton Juniors.[4] Having progressed through the academy system, he signed a first professional two-year contract in June 2023 following an impressive first season as a scholar.[5]

Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Matthews featured for the first-team in pre-season friendlies, notably scoring against Hartlepool United.[6] On 22 April 2024, Matthews made his first-team senior debut for the club, coming on as a substitute in a 4–3 home defeat to Leeds United.[7] The debut came amidst rumours linking him to a number of top European clubs for the upcoming summer transfer window.[8]

International career

Matthews represented the England U17 team at the 2022 Nordic Cup.[9]

In May 2024, Matthews was called up for the England U18s and made his debut which he had scored the final goal during a 4-2 win over Northern Ireland and at St. George's Park.[10]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Middlesbrough 2023–24[11] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
Career total 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

References

  1. ^ "SQUAD LIST 2023/24 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS" (PDF). English Football League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  2. ^ Ajay Matthews at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Ajay Matthews". Instagram.com. iffu._official. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  4. ^ Shaw, Dominic (28 June 2023). "Middlesbrough striker Ajay Matthews signs first pro contract". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Ajay Matthews Signs First Pro Contract". www.mfc.co.uk. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  6. ^ Johns, Craig (19 July 2023). "Michael Carrick makes Middlesbrough academy pledge as youngsters look to impress in pre-season". Teesside Live. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Middlesbrough 3–4 Leeds: Whites go second in Championship". BBC Sport. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  8. ^ Johns, Craig (19 April 2024). "Eleven Middlesbrough youngsters who could be given Championship chance in the final three games". Teesside Gazette. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Boro Youngsters Feature For England U17s". www.mfc.co.uk. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Report: England MU18s 4-2 Northern Ireland". EnglandFootball.com. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Games played by Ajay Matthews in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 April 2024.