Ben Nelson (footballer, born 2004) explained

Ben Nelson
Birth Name:Benjamin Harvey Nelson[1]
Birth Date:18 March 2004
Birth Place:Northampton, England
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Leicester City
Clubnumber:26
Years1:2021–
Clubs1:Leicester City
Caps1:5
Goals1:1
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Rochdale (loan)
Caps2:10
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Doncaster Rovers (loan)
Caps3:15
Goals3:0
Nationalyears1:2020
Nationalteam1:Scotland U16
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2021–2022
Nationalteam2:England U18
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2022–2023
Nationalteam3:England U19
Nationalcaps3:5
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2024–
Nationalteam4:England U20
Nationalcaps4:4
Nationalgoals4:1
Club-Update:12:51, 3 March 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:08:30, 14 June 2024 (UTC)

Benjamin Harvey Nelson (born 18 March 2004)[2] is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Leicester City.[2]

Club career

In the 2020–21 season, Nelson featured in a first-team squad during Leicester City's UEFA Europa League campaign.[3] He was named Academy Player of the Season at the end of the season.[2]

On 28 July 2022, Nelson joined EFL League Two side Rochdale on a season-long loan.[4] [5] He was recalled from his loan on 6 January 2023.[6] Later that month he joined Doncaster Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season.[7]

In 2023–24 season, Nelson was promoted to the first team.[8] On 29 August 2023, he made his senior debut for Leicester as an 82nd-minute substitute for James Justin in a 2–0 away win over Tranmere Rovers in the Second Round of EFL Cup. On 8 December 2023, he signed a new contract until 2027.[9] On 9 December 2023, he made his league debut in EFL Championship for Leicester as an 81st-minute substitute for Jannik Vestergaard in a 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle.[10] On 2 March 2024, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 league defeat against Queens Park Rangers.[11]

International career

Nelson is eligible to play for either England or Scotland. After making one appearance for Scotland's under-16 team,[12] he made his England U18 debut starting in a 3–2 defeat against the Netherlands on 11 November 2021.[13]

On 21 September 2022, Nelson made his England U19 debut during a 2–0 2023 U19 EURO qualifying win over Montenegro.[14]

On 22 March 2024, Nelson made a goalscoring debut for the England Elite League squad during a 5-1 win over Poland at the Bialystok City Stadium.[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leicester City2023–24Championship51201081
Leicester City U212020–212020
2021–221010
Total000000003030
Rochdale (loan)2022–23League Two100001010120
Doncaster Rovers (loan)2022–23League Two150000000120
Career total30120200040351

Honours

Leicester City

2023–24[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021/22 Premier League squads confirmed . . 10 September 2021 . 30 July 2022.
  2. Web site: Ben Nelson . 7 June 2022 . Leicester City F.C..
  3. News: Zorya Luhansk 1-0 Leicester City. Saj. Chowdhury. BBC Sport. 3 December 2020. 18 March 2023.
  4. News: Young Defender Ben Nelson Joins Rochdale On Loan . 28 July 2022 . Leicester City FC . 28 July 2022.
  5. News: Ben Nelson: Rochdale sign teenage Leicester City defender on loan. BBC Sport. 28 July 2022. 18 March 2023.
  6. News: Nelson & Tulloch Return To Parent Clubs . 6 January 2023 . Rochdale AFC . 6 January 2023.
  7. News: Doncaster sign Leicester's Ben Nelson and Blackburn's James Brown on loan. BBC Sport. 17 January 2023. 18 March 2023.
  8. News: Leicester City squad numbers revealed as Stephy Mavididi gets 10 amid two gaps for new signings. Leicester Mercury. 3 August 2023. 10 December 2023.
  9. News: Young Defender Ben Nelson Joins Rochdale On Loan . Leicester City FC . 8 December 2023.
  10. News: Leicester City 4-0 Plymouth Argyle - Patson Daka scored on return to Foxes side. BBC Sport. 9 December 2023.
  11. News: Leicester City 1-2 Queens Park Rangers . 3 March 2024 . BBC Sport . 2 March 2024.
  12. Web site: Ben Nelson. Scottish FA. 30 July 2022.
  13. News: England MU18s 2-3 Netherlands. Frank. Smith. England Football. 11 November 2021. 18 March 2023.
  14. News: Report: England MU19s 2-0 Montenegro. Frank. Smith. England Football. 21 September 2022. 21 September 2022.
  15. Web site: Report: Poland 1-5 England Elite League Squad. England Football . 25 March 2024.
  16. Web site: Championship: 2023/24: Current table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 5 May 2024.
    Web site: Leicester: Squad details: 2023/24 . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 5 May 2024.