DJ Buffonge explained

DJ Buffonge
Fullname:Darren Raekwon McIntosh-Buffonge[1]
Birth Date:7 November 1998
Birth Place:London, England
Height:1.78 m
Position:Central midfielder
Youthclubs1:Arsenal
Youthyears2:2010–2015
Youthclubs2:Fulham
Youthyears3:2015–2019
Youthclubs3:Manchester United
Years1:2019–2020
Clubs1:Spezia
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2020
Clubs2:Pergolettese (loan)
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2020–2022
Clubs3:NAC Breda
Caps3:17
Goals3:1
Years4:2023
Clubs4:Telstar
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:2024
Clubs5:Emmen
Caps5:1
Goals5:0
Club-Update:10 May 2024

Darren Raekwon McIntosh-Buffonge (born 7 November 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder.

Club career

Manchester United

Buffonge started in the youth system of Arsenal, prior to making the move across his hometown to Fulham in 2010.[1] [2] [3] After five years with Fulham, Buffonge was signed by Manchester United's academy on trial ahead of the 2015–16 campaign.[4] After impressing the likes of Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Mcguinnes, the central midfielder penned his scholarship and professional terms on 13 November 2015; despite missing several months with a groin injury.[4] He left United on 30 June 2019 having not featured at first-team level, though did train with the senior squad on many occasions under Louis Van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and briefly Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .[2] [5] [6] In the months leading up to his departure, Buffonge had trials with EFL Championship duo Derby County and Bolton Wanderers.[7] [8]

Spezia

On 9 August 2019, Buffonge moved abroad to join Italian Serie B side Spezia; penning a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.[9] He made his professional debut on 18 August in the Coppa Italia, replacing Delano Burgzorg after sixty-two minutes of a defeat to Sassuolo of Serie A.[10] His first Serie B appearance arrived a week later against Cittadella.

Loan to Pergolettese

On 31 January 2020, he was loaned to Serie C club Pergolettese.[11] He made one league appearance, against Lecco on 9 February, before COVID-19 pandemic stopped that loan spell prematurely.

NAC Breda

On 14 August 2020, Buffonge joined Dutch Eerste Divisie side NAC Breda.[12] His debut arrived on 29 August against Jong AZ, having replaced Moreno Rutten after eighty-five minutes of a 6–1 victory. He scored his first senior goal whilst with the club, netting in a 4–1 win away to MVV Maastricht on 6 November.

His contract was not extended after the 2021–22 season, making him a free agent.[13] [14]

Telstar

In January 2023, Buffonge joined Eerste Divisie side Telstar.[15]

Emmen

On 25 January 2024, Buffonge joined Emmen on an amateur basis.[16]

International career

Buffonge is eligible for England, Antigua & Barbuda, and Trinidad & Tobago. In February 2017, Buffonge was selected by Antigua and Barbuda for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Costa Rica.[17] [18] However, Buffonge didn't appear at the tournament after being replaced by Ajani Thomas.[19]

Personal life

Buffonge's brother, Dajour, is also a footballer who played internationally for Montserrat.[20]

Career statistics

.

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Spezia2019–20Serie B30100040
Pergolettese (loan)2019–20Serie C10000010
NAC Breda2020–21Eerste Divisie1011000111
Career total1412000161

Notes and References

  1. News: DJ Buffonge – Man Utd Reserves Player Profile – U23. 11 August 2019. Manchester United.
  2. News: Who is DJ Buffonge? Manchester United youngster profiled ahead of Bournemouth fixture. 11 August 2019. Manchester Evening News. 28 December 2018.
  3. News: DJ Buffonge: The Manchester United Prospect with More Than a Name to Remember. 11 August 2019. Bleacher Report. 23 November 2016.
  4. News: Who is DJ Buffonge? We profile Man Utd's latest signing. 11 August 2019. Sky Sports. 19 November 2015.
  5. News: Where did it go wrong for DJ Buffonge?. 11 August 2019. The Republik of Mancunia. 9 June 2019.
  6. News: 2018/19 Premier League clubs publish released lists. 11 August 2019. Premier League. 10 June 2019.
  7. News: Man Utd pair DJ Buffonge and Tyler Warren trialling with Bolton. 11 August 2019. Tribal Football. 26 February 2019.
  8. News: Manchester United midfielder who had Derby County trial links up with fellow Championship club. 11 August 2019. Derby Telegraph. 26 February 2019.
  9. News: Mercato: Darren Raekwon Buffonge firma per le Aquile. 11 August 2019. Spezia. 7 August 2019.
  10. News: 17' Min. 18 August 2019. Spezia. 18 August 2019.
  11. Pergolettese. IN ARRIVO LUCA MOSTI E DARREN BUFFONGE. 31 January 2020. Italian.
  12. NAC Breda. DJ BUFFONGE TEKENT CONTRACT VOOR TWEE JAAR BIJ NAC. 14 August 2020. Dutch.
  13. News: Blanco . Yadran . Adiléhou en Bilate krijgen geen nieuw contract van NAC . 2 July 2022 . De Stem . 30 May 2022 . nl.
  14. News: Bilate hoort via krant dat contract niet wordt verlengd . 2 July 2022 . ESPN . 30 May 2022 . nl.
  15. Web site: TELSTAR VERSTERKT SELECTIE MET TWEETAL. SC Telstar. 30 January 2023. 30 January 2023. Dutch.
  16. Web site: Emmen. DARREN BUFFONGE OP AMATEURBASIS BIJ SELECTIE. DARREN BUFFONGE ON AN AMATEUR BASIS DURING SELECTION. 25 January 2024. 25 January 2024. nl.
  17. News: ABFA Announces Squad for CONCACAF U20 Championships. 11 August 2019. ABFA. 6 February 2017.
  18. News: Under-20 footballers depart for historic CONCACAF finals. 11 August 2019. Antigua Observer. 7 February 2019.
  19. News: Antigua and Barbuda Men's U20 Football Team in Final Preparation Mode for CONCACAF Opener. 11 August 2019. ABFA. 16 February 2017.
  20. News: DJ Buffonge – Spezia. 24 August 2019. Football Database.