Ajay Matthews
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ajay Matthews[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 June 2006[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) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:39, 24 April 2024 (UTC) | |||
Ajay Matthews (born 11 June 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Middlesbrough.
Career[edit]
Matthews joined the academy on hometown club Middlesbrough at under-9s level having been spotted playing for local side Marton Juniors.[3] 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.[4]
Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Matthews featured for the first-team in pre-season friendlies, notably scoring against Hartlepool United.[5] 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.[6] The debut came amidst rumours linking him to a number of top European clubs for the upcoming summer transfer window.[7]
International career[edit]
Matthews represented the England U17 team at the 2022 Nordic Cup.[8]
Career statistics[edit]
- As of match played 22 April 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Middlesbrough | 2023–24[9] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
References[edit]
- ^ "SQUAD LIST 2023/24 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS" (PDF). English Football League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Ajay Matthews at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Shaw, Dominic (28 June 2023). "Middlesbrough striker Ajay Matthews signs first pro contract". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Ajay Matthews Signs First Pro Contract". www.mfc.co.uk. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Middlesbrough 3–4 Leeds: Whites go second in Championship". BBC Sport. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Boro Youngsters Feature For England U17s". www.mfc.co.uk. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Ajay Matthews in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 April 2024.