Luke Ayling

Luke Ayling
Ayling in 2014
Personal information
Full name Luke David Ayling[1]
Date of birth (1991-08-25) 25 August 1991[2]
Place of birth Lambeth, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Playing position Defender / Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Leeds United
Number 2
Youth career
0000–2009 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Arsenal 0 (0)
2010 → Yeovil Town (loan) 4 (0)
2010–2014 Yeovil Town 162 (2)
2014–2016 Bristol City 80 (4)
2016– Leeds United 81 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10:58, 12 October 2018 (UTC)

Luke David Ayling (born 25 August 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Championship club Leeds United. Although normally playing as a right back, he can also function as a centre back or as a defensive midfielder.

Ayling began his career at Arsenal joining the club at the age of 10. He was part of Arsenal youth team's double-winning team of the 2008–09 season, before signing his first professional contract in July 2009. Ayling was loaned out to Yeovil Town in March 2010 and played four matches. At the end of the season he agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil. After four seasons with Yeovil, Ayling signed for Bristol City.

Career

Arsenal

Ayling was born in Lambeth, London.[2] He joined Arsenal at the age of 10, despite being a Chelsea fan,[4] progressing through the Arsenal youth teams, playing alongside Jack Wilshere and Kyle Bartley,[5] before signing scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2007.[6] Ayling featured in the Reserves whilst he was still a schoolboy, and was an integral part of Arsenal youth team's Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup double-winning team of the 2008–09 season, forming a crucial defensive partnership with Kyle Bartley.[7] In June 2009, Ayling signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.[6][8]

Ayling's only call into the first-team squad came during the 2009–10 season. Ayling was an unused substitute for a dead rubber 1–0 UEFA Champions League group stage defeat to Greek team Olympiacos on 9 December 2009.[9] Ayling departed the club in June 2010 after his contract expired.[10]

Yeovil Town

In March 2010, Ayling joined League One club Yeovil Town on loan for an initial month,[11] and on 2 April 2010, made his professional debut as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw away at Southend United.[12] Ayling's loan was extended until the end of the season,[13] Ayling played four matches in total, including his first league start in the final match of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, on 8 May 2010.[14]

On 30 June 2010, Ayling agreed a permanent contract with Yeovil.[10][15] He made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Leyton Orient.[16] Ayling made forty appearances in his first full season with Yeovil but had discipline issues receiving thirteen yellow and two red cards.[17] On 19 May 2013, Ayling played in the 2013 League One play-off Final at Wembley Stadium as Yeovil beat Brentford 2–1 to earn promotion to the Championship.[18]

After relegation from the Championship during the 2013–14 season with Yeovil Town, his contract expired at the end of the season in June 2014.[19] After rejecting the offer of a new contract at Yeovil, he left the club.[20]

Bristol City

Following his departure from Yeovil Town, Ayling signed for their fellow League One club Bristol City on 8 July 2014 for an undisclosed compensation fee, signing a three-year deal.[21] Ayling made his debut for Bristol City, on 9 August 2014, in their opening day victory over Sheffield United.[22]

During the 2014–15 season, Ayling won the Football League Trophy, with Bristol beating Walsall 2–0 at Wembley Stadium on 22 March 2015.[23] On 18 April 2015, Ayling impressed for Bristol City playing 58 matches that season in all competitions as they were crowned League One champions following a 0–0 draw at home to Coventry City and earned promotion to the Championship.[24] Playing 33 times either playing right back or centre back during the 2015–16 season in the Championship, Ayling's form at the back helped Bristol City retain their Championship status.[25]

Leeds United

On 11 August 2016, Ayling signed for Championship club Leeds United for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.[26] Ayling made his debut for Leeds in a 2–1 loss to Birmingham City on 13 August 2016.[27] With first choice right back Gaetano Berardi out injured, Ayling started the season as the clubs first choice right back, his impressive form also kept Berardi out the team despite Berardi's return from injury in October.[28] On 7 November, Ayling was named in the English Football League Team of the Week after his impressive performance in Leeds' 3–2 victory against Norwich City.[29][30]

On 9 August 2017, he captained Leeds for the first time when he was named as captain for Leeds' League Cup tie 4–1 win against Port Vale. He was appointed Vice Captain for the 2017–18 season.[31]

On 19 October 2017, Ayling signed a new 4 year contract, with the long term deal keeping him at Leeds until the end of the 2020–21 season.[32]

An ever present, after being injured after a tackle by former Leeds team mate Liam Bridcutt on 1 January 2018 in Leeds 0–0 draw against Nottingham Forest.[33] The injury was ruled as a season ending ankle ligament injury that required surgery and initially ruled him out for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[34] However, on the 5 May 2018, Ayling was able to return for the final game of the 2017–18 season in Leeds' 2–0 victory against Queens Park Rangers, starting the match after returning to training two weeks before the season had finished.[35]

On 18 August 2018, Ayling scored his first competitive goal for Leeds against Rotherham United.[36]

Style of play

Former Guardian sports writer Steve Claridge lauded Ayling for his "reading of the game, communications skills, organisation skills, aerial prowess, two footedness and use of the ball" in his scouting reports column.[37] Ayling was praised for his defensive work which gave Leeds United a solid start to the 2017–18 season.[38] In the five opening fixtures of the campaign Leeds keeper Felix Wiedwald was forced to make just six saves, conceding two goals.

Career statistics

As of match played 6 October 2018.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2009–10[39] Premier League 0000000000
Yeovil Town (loan) 2009–10[39] League One 40———40
Yeovil Town 2010–11[17] League One 37010101[lower-alpha 1]0400
2011–12[40] League One 440301000480
2012–13[41] League One 39000206[lower-alpha 2]0470
2013–14[42] Championship 4222021—463
Total 16626061701853
Bristol City 2014–15[43] League One 46450106[lower-alpha 1]0584
2015–16[44] Championship 3302010—360
2016–17[45] Championship 10—00—10
Total 804702060954
Leeds United 2016–17[45] Championship 4200010—430
2017–18[46] Championship 2700040—310
2018–19[47] Championship 1210010—131
Total 8110060—871
Career total 32771301411303678
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ Three appearances in Football League Trophy, three in League One play-offs

Honours

Arsenal

Yeovil Town

Bristol City

References

  1. ↑ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Leeds United" (PDF). English Football League. p. 21. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. ↑ "Luke Ayling". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "More on: Luke Ayling". Arsenal Youth Blog. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Jack Wilshere will be back terrorising opponents again soon – I can't wait". Metro. London. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Four youngsters turn pro while nine depart". Arsenal F.C. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "Player Profiles- Arsenal's resilient defensive duo Luke Ayling and Kyle Bartley". Arsenal Youth Blog. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Ramsey agrees new deal at Arsenal". BBC Sport. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Olympiacos 1–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Luke Ayling joins Yeovil Town". Arsenal F.C. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Yeovil Town sign Arsenal defender Luke Ayling". BBC Sport. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Southend 0–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Luke Ayling remains at Yeovil Town for rest of season". BBC Sport. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  14. ↑ "Brighton 1–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Yeovil Town to sign Arsenal teenager Luke Ayling". BBC Sport. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  16. ↑ "Yeovil 2–1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010.
  17. 1 2 "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  18. 1 2 Maiden, Phil (19 May 2013). "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  19. ↑ "Gary Johnson: Yeovil's Stech, Ayling and Webster set for exit". BBC Sport. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  20. ↑ "Yeovil Town: Jamie McAllister released as five offered deals". BBC Sport. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  21. ↑ "Luke Ayling: Bristol City sign Yeovil Town defender". BBC Sport. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Sheffield United 1–2 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  23. 1 2 Chapman, Caroline (22 March 2015). "Bristol City 2–0 Walsall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  24. ↑ "Bristol City 0–0 Coventry City". BBC Sport. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  25. ↑ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=53032&season_id=145
  26. ↑ "Luke Ayling: Bristol City right-back signs for Leeds United". BBC Sport. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  27. ↑ "Leeds 1–2 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  28. ↑ "Norwich City: Penalties see Leeds edge classic". Leeds United F.C. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  29. ↑ "Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week". English Football League. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Norwich City: Super Vieira strike gives Leeds win". Leeds United F.C. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  31. ↑ "Leeds United 4–1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 9 August 2017.
  32. ↑ "AYLING SIGNS NEW DEAL". Leeds United. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  33. ↑ "Luke Ayling: Leeds United full-back out for the rest of the season". BBC Sport. 10 January 2018.
  34. ↑ "Leeds 0 Nottingham Forest 0". BBC Sport. 1 January 2018.
  35. ↑ "Leeds United 2 QPR 0: Ayling glad to play role in convincing Bartley". Yorkshire Evening Post. 7 May 2018.
  36. ↑ "Leeds United vs Rotherham". BBC Sport. 18 August 2018.
  37. ↑ Claridge, Steve (28 April 2009). "Scouting report: Luke Ayling, Arsenal". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  38. ↑ D'ialbiac, Stephen (4 September 2017). "This stat proves just how impressive ex-Yeovil Town star Luke Ayling has been with Leeds United". Somersetlive. Somerset. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  39. 1 2 "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  43. 1 2 "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  45. 1 2 "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  48. ↑ "League One: 2014/15: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
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