Ajani Burchall Explained

Ajani Burchall
Fullname:Ajani Alexander Edward Burchall[1]
Birth Date:5 November 2004[2]
Birth Place:Hamilton, Bermuda
Currentclub:Aston Villa
Position:Winger
Youthyears1:2012–2016
Youthclubs1:North Village Rams
Youthyears2:2016–2020
Youthclubs2:AFC Bournemouth
Years1:2020–2021
Clubs1:AFC Bournemouth
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–
Clubs2:Aston Villa
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Nationalyears1:2018–2019
Nationalteam1:Bermuda U15
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:23:06, 9 July 2021 (UTC)

Ajani Alexander Edward Burchall (born 5 November 2004) is Bermudian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League team Aston Villa. He is a product of the North Village Rams youth team in Hamilton, Bermuda, and was signed by AFC Bournemouth at the age of eleven. He became Bournemouth's third youngest player of all time when he appeared for their senior side as a late substitute in December 2020, he transferred to Aston Villa six months later, joining their academy. He has played internationally at under-15 level for the Bermuda.

Club career

AFC Bournemouth

Burchall was born in Bermuda and joined AFC Bournemouth in 2016 from the youth side of North Village Rams, based near Hamilton, Bermuda.[3] In March 2019, at the age of 14, he signed a pre-scholarship agreement with the club.[4] On 12 December 2020, he made his professional debut in the Championship, coming on as a late substitute in a 5–0 win over Huddersfield Town.[5] The appearance made him Bournemouth's third youngest player of all time.[6]

Aston Villa

On 9 July 2021, Burchall joined Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed transfer fee.[7] In October 2021, after a positive start for Villa in the U18 Premier League in which he scored three goals, and provided three assists in his first four games, Burchall was named by The Guardian as one of the top young prospects in English football.[8] On 10 November 2021, Burchall was given his first full professional contract by Aston Villa.[9]

In August 2022, Burchall suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a training session - which was expected to rule him out for the whole season.[10]

Burchall made his return to football on 15 December 2023, after more than a year sidelined, in a 1–1 draw against Fulham U21 in the Premier League 2.[11] On 3 July 2024, Burchall signed a new contract with Aston Villa.[12]

International career

Burchall has represented Bermuda at under-15 level, playing for them in the 2019 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship.[13]

Personal life

Burchall grew up in the Paget Parish of Bermuda.[14] He attended Bournemouth Collegiate School.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed . Premier League . 10 September 2021 . 12 September 2021.
  2. Web site: AJANI BURCHALL. AFC Bournemouth. 14 December 2020.
  3. Web site: Cook only met teenager Burchall a few hours before his debut. Bournemouth Daily Echo. 13 December 2020. 14 December 2020.
  4. Web site: Teen pair on pathway to turn professional. royalgazette.com. 26 March 2019. 14 December 2020.
  5. Web site: AFC Bournemouth 5-0 Huddersfield Town. BBC. 12 December 2020. 14 December 2020.
  6. Web site: Tindall: Burchall debut is a 'reward for the academy'. Bournemouth Daily Echo. 12 December 2020. 14 December 2020.
  7. Web site: Burchall moves to Aston Villa. 2021-07-09. AFCB.
  8. News: Doyle. Paul. 6 October 2021. Next Generation 2021: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs. The Guardian. 8 October 2021.
  9. Web site: 10 November 2021. Ajani Burchall signs professional contract. live. 2021-11-10. Aston Villa Football Club. https://web.archive.org/web/20211110152731/https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/november/10/burchall-signs-professional-contract/ . 10 November 2021 .
  10. Web site: Thompson . Colin . 2022-08-25 . Ajani Burchall ruled out for the season through injury . 2022-09-29 . The Royal Gazette . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2023-12-15 . U21s: Aston Villa 1-1 Fulham . 2023-12-18 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  12. Web site: 2024-07-03 . Academy quartet sign pro contracts . 2024-07-03 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  13. Web site: Under-15 squad selected for Concacaf. royalgazette.com. 30 July 2020. 14 December 2020.
  14. Web site: Island's talented youth celebrated at awards. royalgazette.com. 20 July 2015. 14 December 2020.