Glen Rea Explained

Glen Rea
Fullname:Glen Charles Rea[1]
Birth Date:3 September 1994[2]
Birth Place:Brighton, England
Height:1.84m (06.04feet)
Position:Defensive midfielder, centre-back[3]
Currentclub:Worthing
Clubnumber:31
Youthyears1:–2013
Youthclubs1:Brighton & Hove Albion
Years1:2013–2016
Clubs1:Brighton & Hove Albion
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2015–2016
Clubs2:Southend United (loan)
Caps2:14
Goals2:0
Years3:2016
Clubs3:Luton Town (loan)
Caps3:10
Goals3:0
Years4:2016–2023
Clubs4:Luton Town
Caps4:174
Goals4:7
Years5:2019
Clubs5:Woking (loan)
Caps5:7
Goals5:0
Years6:2022
Clubs6:Wigan Athletic (loan)
Caps6:3
Goals6:0
Years7:2023
Clubs7:Cheltenham Town (loan)
Caps7:14
Goals7:0
Nationalyears1:2014–2016
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland U21
Nationalcaps1:10
Nationalgoals1:1
Club-Update:13:48, 24 October 2023 (UTC)
Years8:2023–
Clubs8:Worthing
Caps8:5
Goals8:0

Glen Charles Rea (born 3 September 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for club Worthing. Born in England, he played for the Republic of Ireland U21 national team.

Club career

Brighton & Hove Albion

Born in Brighton, East Sussex,[2] Rea began his career with the youth system at Brighton & Hove Albion, before earning a professional contract after completing his two-year scholarship.[4] On 6 February 2015, Rea signed a contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2016.[5]

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, Rea was given squad number 26,[6] before making his professional debut for Brighton one week later in a 1–0 win away to Southend United in the League Cup first round, with Rea playing for the full 90 minutes.[7] [8] Following the expiration of his loan spells at Southend United and Luton Town, Brighton activated the option of a one-year extension on Rea's contract, but were willing to let him leave on a permanent transfer.[9] Southend and Luton both expressed an interest in signing him on a permanent basis.[10] [11]

Southend United (loan)

On 27 August 2015, two weeks after the League Cup fixture, Southend manager Phil Brown expressed an interest in signing Rea on loan,[12] claiming later that day the club were close to signing him.[13] Brighton confirmed Rea had joined Southend on loan until 2 January 2016 a day later.[14] He made his debut in a 2–2 draw away to Coventry City on 31 August.[15] Rea made his final appearance for Southend in a 3–0 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers on 2 January 2016, finishing his loan spell with 16 appearances.[16]

Luton Town

On 17 March 2016, Rea signed for League Two club Luton Town on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season, linking back up with Luton manager Nathan Jones who had previously been his first-team coach at Brighton.[17] He made his Luton debut in a 1–0 win away to Plymouth Argyle two days later.[18] Rea finished his loan spell with 10 appearances and started every match.

Rea joined Luton permanently on 27 June 2016 on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[19] His first appearance after signing permanently came in a 3–0 win away to Plymouth Argyle on 6 August. Rea scored his first professional goal in a 2–1 defeat at home to Grimsby Town on 10 September.[20]

He signed a new two-year contract with Luton at the end of May 2018.[21] He suffered a partial tear of his cruciate ligament in a 2–0 win over Burton Albion on 22 December, which ruled him out for the rest of the season after making 27 appearances and scoring one goal.[22] [23] Rea joined National League club Woking on 25 October 2019 on a one-month loan to build up his match fitness.[24]

Wigan Athletic (loan)

On 31 January 2022, Rea joined League One title chasers Wigan Athletic on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season.[25] He was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in a league game against Wimbledon, and returned to Luton on 17 March 2022.[26]

Cheltenham Town (loan)

On 31 January 2023, Rea joined League One club Cheltenham Town on loan until the end of the season, remaining with Luton for a short time whilst he completed the rehabilitation from a knee injury.[27]

On 1 September 2023, Rea departed Luton having had his contract terminated by mutual consent.[28]

Worthing

On 24 October 2023, Rea joined National League South side Worthing on non-contract terms.[29] He made his debut the same day in a 4-1 away defeat at Hampton & Richmond

International career

Rea, who was born in England, is eligible to play for Republic of Ireland and was called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad on 13 November 2014.[30] His debut came on 15 November in a 1–0 defeat to the United States, with Rea playing the match in midfield.[31] Rea scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland U21 on his second cap two days later, in a 2–2 draw with Russia.[32]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brighton & Hove Albion2014–15Championship00000000
2015–16Championship002020
Total00002020
Southend United (loan)2015–16League One1401010160
Luton Town (loan)2015–16League Two100100
Luton Town2016–17League Two392312050493
2017–18League Two461201010501
2018–19League One221201020271
2019–20Championship1501000160
2020–21Championship4031010423
2021–22Championship1200010130
Total18479160802078
Woking (loan)2019–20[33] National League700070
Wigan Athletic (loan)2021–22League One0010000010
Career total205711180902338

Honours

Luton Town

2018–19[34]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club retained and released lists published . English Football League . 23 June 2016 . 19 May 2018.
  2. Web site: Glen Rea . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 19 May 2018.
  3. Web site: Glen Rea: Profile . worldfootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 1 September 2021.
  4. News: Howard . Griggs . Seagulls hand deal to Barry's nephew . The Argus . Brighton . 18 May 2013 . 2 January 2017.
  5. News: Andy . Naylor . Rea shines for Albion to land new deal . The Argus . Brighton . 6 February 2015 . 2 January 2017.
  6. News: Brian . Owen . At No.25, it's Bobby Zamora! Albion reveal squad numbers for new season . The Argus . Brighton . 4 August 2015 . 2 January 2017.
  7. News: Brian . Owen . Rea, Maenpaa and Rosenior handed first starts in cup tie . The Argus . Brighton . 11 August 2015 . 2 January 2017.
  8. News: Southend United 0–1 Brighton & Hove Albion . BBC Sport . 11 August 2015 . 14 August 2015.
  9. News: Andy . Naylor . Glen Rea's future up in air at Brighton and Hove Albion despite deal extension . The Argus . Brighton . 7 June 2016 . 2 January 2017.
  10. News: Southend reveal talks with Albion youngster . The Argus . Brighton . 19 May 2016 . 10 June 2016.
  11. News: Mike . Simmonds . Hatters would need to pay for Seagulls defender Rea . Luton Today . 10 June 2016 . 12 September 2016.
  12. News: Chris . Phillips . Southend United keen to sign Glen Rea on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion . The Echo . Basildon . 27 August 2015 . 9 May 2016.
  13. News: Chris . Phillips . Southend United manager Phil Brown: We're close to signing Glen Rea on loan from Brighton . The Echo . Basildon . 27 August 2015 . 9 May 2016.
  14. Web site: Paul . Camillin . Glen Rea joins Southend United . Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. . 28 August 2015 . 9 May 2016 . 5 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905225619/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/glen-rea-joins-southend-united-2654530.aspx . dead .
  15. News: Chris . Phillips . Match report: Coventry City 2, Southend United 2 . The Echo . Basildon . 31 August 2015 . 2 January 2017.
  16. News: Chris . Phillips . Brighton & Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton surprised by Southend United manager Phil Brown's public comments on Glen Rea's future . The Echo . Basildon . 4 January 2016 . 2 January 2017.
  17. News: Luton Town loan Brighton defender Glen Rea until end of the season . BBC Sport . 17 March 2016 . 18 March 2016.
  18. News: Mike . Simmonds . Lucky 13 for Marriott as he nets winner at Plymouth . Luton Today . 19 March 2016 . 2 January 2017.
  19. News: Glen Rea: Luton Town sign centre-back from Brighton . BBC Sport . 27 June 2016 . 2 January 2017.
  20. News: Mark . Wood . Luton Town: Hatters defeated as Mariners net a win . Bedfordshire on Sunday . Bedford . 10 September 2016 . 15 December 2016.
  21. News: Glen Rea and Alan Sheehan: Luton Town defenders sign new two-year contracts . BBC Sport . 31 May 2018 . 31 May 2018.
  22. News: Mike . Simmonds . Luton midfielder expected to be out for the season . Luton Today . 2 January 2019 . 26 October 2019.
  23. News: Mike . Simmonds . Rea not putting a date on his return from injury . Luton Today . 22 May 2019 . 26 October 2019.
  24. News: Mike . Simmonds . Hatters midfielder heads to Woking on loan . Luton Today . 25 October 2019 . 26 October 2019.
  25. Web site: Latics bring in versatile midfielder Glen Rea on loan from Luton Town. wiganathletic.com. 31 January 2022.
  26. Web site: Glen Rea returns to Luton Town from Wigan Athletic after knee injury . BBC Sport . 13 July 2022 . 17 March 2022.
  27. Web site: Rea joins Robins for remainder of the season. www.ctfc.com. 31 January 2023. 31 January 2023.
  28. Web site: Thank you and good luck, Glen!. www.lutontown.co.uk. 2 September 2023. 4 September 2023.
  29. Web site: 24 October 2023 . Rea is a Rebel! . 2023-10-24 . Worthing F.C. . en-GB.
  30. Web site: James . Hilsum . Rea named in Ireland U21 squad . Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. . 13 November 2014 . 10 June 2016.
  31. News: Brian . Owen . Albion prospects shine on international duty . The Argus . Brighton . 15 November 2014 . 2 January 2017.
  32. Web site: Ireland U21s draw with Russia in Marbella . Football Association of Ireland . 17 November 2014 . 2 January 2017.
  33. Web site: G. Rea: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 10 December 2019.
  34. Web site: League One: 2018/19: Current table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 5 May 2019.
    Web site: Luton: Squad details: 2018/19 . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 5 May 2019.
  35. Book: John . Anderson . Football Yearbook 2018–2019 . 2018 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-6106-9 . 214–215.