Clayton Lewis (footballer) explained

Clayton Lewis
Fullname:Clayton Rhys Lewis[1]
Height:1.69 m
Position:Attacking midfielder
Birth Date:12 February 1997
Birth Place:Wellington, New Zealand
Currentclub:Macarthur FC
Clubnumber:23
Youthyears1:
Youthclubs1:Wellington Olympic
Years1:2013–2014
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Clubs1:Team Wellington
Years2:2014–2015
Caps2:11
Goals2:2
Clubs2:Wanderers SC
Years3:2015–2017
Caps3:29
Goals3:9
Clubs3:Auckland City
Years4:2016
Caps4:8
Goals4:2
Clubs4:Onehunga Sports
Years5:2017–2019
Caps5:19
Goals5:0
Clubs5:Scunthorpe United
Years6:2019–2020
Caps6:13
Goals6:2
Clubs6:Auckland City
Years7:2020–2023
Caps7:63
Goals7:3
Clubs7:Wellington Phoenix
Years8:2023–
Caps8:26
Goals8:0
Clubs8:Macarthur FC
Nationalyears1:2014–2017
Nationalcaps1:12
Nationalgoals1:4
Nationalteam1:New Zealand U20
Nationalyears2:2015–
Nationalcaps2:10
Nationalgoals2:4
Nationalteam2:New Zealand U23
Nationalyears3:2015–
Nationalcaps3:22
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalteam3:New Zealand
Club-Update:9 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:19 March 2022 (UTC)

Clayton Rhys Lewis (born 12 February 1997 in Wellington) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Macarthur FC in the A-League.

Club career

Junior and Semi-Professional Career

Lewis attended St Patrick's College, Wellington from 2010 until 2014. He began his career with Wellington Olympic where he played alongside his father Barry. Lewis came into prominence in the 2013 winter season where he was a key member of the Wellington Olympic team which finished second in the Central Premier League and reached the semifinals of the Chatham Cup. This exposure led his to being signed by Team Wellington for the 2013–14 ASB Premiership season.[2] However, he did not make an appearance for Team Wellington.

On 1 July 2014 he was signed on a free transfer by Wanderers SC. Lewis made his debut on 22 November 2014 on the fifth match of the season away at WaiBOP United in a 3–0 win in which he scored. He would go on to make 11 appearances, score 3 goals and assist another 3 for the Wanderers that season before joining reigning champions Auckland City.

On 28 September 2017, Lewis signed a contract with League One club Scunthorpe United.[3] Following minimal playing time over the three seasons he spent at Scunthorpe, Lewis' contract was terminated by mutual consent and he returned to Auckland City on 4 November 2019.[4]

Wellington Phoenix

Lewis signed a one-year deal with A-League club Wellington Phoenix in October 2020.[5] On 18 May 2021, his contract was extended for an additional two years.[6] In March 2022, Lewis was ruled out for 12 weeks with an ankle injury obtained during a match against Perth Glory.[7]

In March 2023, ahead of Wellington's round 19 fixture, it was announced that Lewis would depart Wellington at the end of the 2022-23 A-League season.[8] Lewis went on to make 69 appearances across all competitions for Wellington, in his three seasons at the club.

Macarthur FC

3 days after Wellington Phoenix's season ended in an elimination final defeat to Adelaide United, Macarthur FC announced the signing of Lewis on a two-year contract.[9]

Betting Scandal & Arrest

On 17 May 2024, Lewis along with two Macarthur FC teammates were arrested by New South Wales Police Force over an alleged betting scandal.[10] [11]

International career

Lewis made his international debut for New Zealand on 31 March 2015 against South Korea, playing 54 minutes in a 1–0 defeat.

He has also made several appearances for the New Zealand under-20 team starting in April 2015. He is part of the under-20 side for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. He scored his first FIFA U-20 World Cup goal against Myanmar in a 5–1 group stage win at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

In the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, Lewis assisted Chris Wood's goal against Mexico to put New Zealand up 1–0 in Sochi; this was New Zealand's only goal in the competition.

During New Zealand's 4–0 victory against Fiji at the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Lewis converted a penalty kick to score his first international goal.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 List of Players . 14 . . 30 May 2015 . 4 June 2015.
  2. Web site: 18 year-old Lewis makes steep rise into All Whites . . 30 March 2015 . 4 June 2015.
  3. News: All White Clayton Lewis signs with Scunthorpe United . Michael . Burgess . . 28 September 2017 . 29 September 2017.
  4. Web site: Clayton Lewis returns to Auckland City FC. Auckland City FC.
  5. . Clayton Lewis signs with Wellington Phoenix . Wellington Phoenix FC . 27 October 2020 . 30 March 2022.
  6. . Wellington Phoenix re-signs Clayton Lewis for two years . Wellington Phoenix FC . 18 May 2021 . 30 March 2022.
  7. News: Football: Wellington Phoenix lose midfielder Clayton Lewis for rest of season, ruled out for 12 weeks with torn ankle ligaments . Alex . Powell . . 30 March 2022 . 30 March 2022.
  8. Web site: Wellington Phoenix exodus: Oli Sail, Clayton Lewis and Steven Ugarkovic to leave next season. Stuff.co.nz. 3 March 2023 .
  9. Web site: 'Quality': Bulls sign NZ international until 2025. Macarthur FC. 8 May 2023 .
  10. Web site: NSW Police arrest three A-League players including Sydney's Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila over betting scandal. abc.net.au. 17 May 2024.
  11. Web site: All White Clayton Lewis reportedly among players arrested over betting. RNZ.
  12. News: Chris Wood becomes All Whites' all-time leading scorer with brace against Fiji . Phillip . Rollo . . 22 March 2022 . 30 March 2022.