Luke Ayling
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Luke David Ayling | ||
| Date of birth | 25 August 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Lambeth, London, England | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defender / Defensive midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Leeds United | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2009 | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2010 | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| 2010 | → Yeovil Town (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2010–2014 | Yeovil Town | 162 | (2) |
| 2014–2016 | Bristol City | 80 | (4) |
| 2016– | Leeds United | 15 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:23, 17 November 2016 (UTC). | |||
Luke David Ayling (born 25 August 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for Leeds United as a defender. Although normally playing as a right back, he can also function as a centre back or as a defensive midfielder.
Ayling was born in Lambeth, London and began his career at Arsenal joining the club at the age of 10. He was part of Arsenal youth team's double-winning side of the 2008–09 season, before signing his first professional contract in July 2009. Ayling was loaned out to Yeovil Town in March 2010 and played four matches. At the end of the season he agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil and Ayling then signed for that of Bristol City F.C. four years later.
Career
Arsenal
Born in Lambeth, London, Ayling joined Arsenal at the age of 10, despite being a loyal Chelsea fan,[1] progressing through the Arsenal youth sides, playing alongside Jack Wilshere,[2] before signing scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2007.[3] Ayling featured in the Reserves whilst he was still a schoolboy, and was an integral part of Arsenal youth team's Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup double-winning side of the 2008–09 season forming a crucial defensive partnership with Kyle Bartley.[4] In June 2009, Ayling signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.[3][5]
Ayling's only call into the first team squad came during the 2009–10 season. Awarded the number 46 shirt, Ayling was an unused substitute for a dead rubber 1–0 UEFA Champions League group stage defeat to Greek side Olympiacos on 9 December 2009.[6] Ayling departed the club in June 2010 after his contract expired.[7]
Yeovil Town
In March 2010, Ayling joined Football League One side Yeovil Town on loan for an initial month,[8] and on 2 April 2010, made his professional debut as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw away at Southend United.[9] Ayling's loan was extended until the end of the season,[10] Ayling played four games in total including his first league start in the final game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, on 8 May 2010.[11]
On 20 May 2010, Ayling agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil.[7][12] He linked up with Yeovil Town for pre-season training on 1 July 2010, subject to a successful medical. Ayling made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Leyton Orient.[13] Ayling made forty appearances in his first full season with Yeovil but had discipline issues receiving thirteen yellow and two red cards.[14] Early in the 2012–13 season, Ayling reached a milestone 100 games for the club, having established himself as a consistent player and a fan favourite. On 19 May 2013, Ayling played in the 2013 League One play-off Final as Yeovil beat Brentford 2–1 to secure promotion to the Football League Championship.[15]
After relegation from The Championship during the 2013/14 season with Yeovil Town. His contract expired at the end of the season in June 2014 and after rejecting the offer of a new deal at Yeovil, he left Yeovil Town.
Bristol City
Following his departure from Yeovil Town, Ayling signed for fellow League One side Bristol City on 8 July 2014 for an undisclosed compensation fee, signing a three-year deal.[16] Ayling made his debut for Bristol City, on 9 August 2014, in their opening day victory over Sheffield United.[17]
During the 2014–15 season, Ayling won the Football League Trophy, with Bristol beating Walsall 2-0 at Wembley on 22 March 2015.[18] On 18 April 2015, Ayling impressed for Bristol City playing 58 games that season in all competitions as they were crowned League One champions following a 0-0 draw at home to Coventry and earned promotion to the Championship.[19] Playing 33 times either playing right back or centre back during the 2015/16 season in The Championship, Ayling's form at the back helped Bristol City retain their Championship status.
Leeds United
On 11 August 2016, Ayling joined fellow Championship side Leeds United for an undisclosed fee signing a three-year contract. He was given the number 2 shirt. [20] Ayling made his debut for Leeds in a 2-1 loss to Birmingham City on 13 August 2016.[21] With first choice right back Gaetano Berardi out injured, Ayling started the season as the clubs first choice right back, his impressive form also kept Berardi out the side despite Berardi's return from injury in October.[22]
On 7 November, Ayling was named in the EFL Team of the Week after his impressive performance in Leeds' 3-2 victory against Norwich City.[23][24]
Qualities
Former Guardian sports writer Steve Claridge lauded Ayling for his "reading of the game, communications skills, organisation skills, aerial prowess, two footedness and use of the ball" in his scouting reports column.[25]
Career statistics
- As of 17 November 2016.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Yeovil Town (loan) | 2009–10[26] | League One | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Yeovil Town | 2010–11[14] | League One | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| 2011–12[27] | League One | 44 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | |
| 2012–13[28] | League One | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 47 | 0 | |
| 2013–14[29] | Championship | 42 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 46 | 3 | ||
| Total | 166 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 185 | 3 | ||
| Bristol City | 2014–15[30] | League One | 46 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 58 | 4 |
| 2015–16[31] | Championship | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 36 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17[32] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 80 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 95 | 4 | ||
| Leeds United | 2016–17[32] | Championship | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | |
| Career total | 261 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 295 | 7 | ||
- 1 2 Appearances in Football League Trophy
- ↑ Three appearances in Football League Trophy, three in League One play-offs
Honours
- Arsenal
- Yeovil Town
- Bristol City
References
- ↑ "More on: Luke Ayling". Arsenal Youth Blog. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Jack Wilshere will be back terrorising opponents again soon – I can't wait". Metro. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- 1 2 "Four youngsters turn pro while nine depart". Arsenal F.C. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- 1 2 "Player Profiles- Arsenal's resilient defensive duo Luke Ayling and Kyle Bartley". Arsenal Youth Blog. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Ramsey agrees new deal at Arsenal". BBC Sport. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Olympiacos 1–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- 1 2 "Luke Ayling joins Yeovil Town". Arsenal F.C. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- ↑ "Yeovil Town sign Arsenal defender Luke Ayling". BBC Sport. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Southend 0–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Luke Ayling remains at Yeovil Town for rest of season". BBC Sport. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Brighton 1–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Yeovil Town to sign Arsenal teenager Luke Ayling". BBC Sport. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- ↑ "Yeovil 2–1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010.
- 1 2 "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ↑ "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ↑ "Luke Ayling: Bristol City sign Yeovil Town defender". BBC Sport. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- ↑ "Sheffield United 1–2 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- 1 2 "Bristol City 2-0 Walsall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ↑ "Bristol City 0-0 Coventry". BBC Sport. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- ↑ "Luke Ayling: Bristol City right-back signs for Leeds United". BBC Sport. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ↑ "Leeds 1-2 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ↑ "NORWICH CITY: PENALTIES SEE LEEDS EDGE CLASSIC". Leeds United. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
- ↑ "Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week". EFL. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ↑ "NORWICH CITY: SUPER VIEIRA STRIKE GIVES LEEDS WIN". Leeds United. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Claridge, Steve (28 April 2009). "Scouting report: Luke Ayling, Arsenal". Retrieved 2 September 2013.
- ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
- ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- 1 2 "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ↑ "Sky Bet League 1 round-up". www.football-league.co.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
External links
- Luke Ayling career statistics at Soccerbase
- Luke Ayling's profile at the Official Yeovil Town site