Luke Ayling

Luke Ayling

Ayling in May 2014
Personal information
Full name Luke David Ayling
Date of birth (1991-08-25) 25 August 1991
Place of birth Lambeth, London, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position Defender / Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Bristol City
Number 5
Youth career
2002–2009 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– Bristol City 78 (4)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:18, 1 May 2016 (UTC).

† Appearances (goals)

Luke David Ayling (born 25 August 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for Bristol City as a defender.

Ayling was born in Lambeth, London and began his career at Arsenal joining the club at the age of 10. He was part of Arsenal youth team's double-winning side 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 Ayling agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil after not being offered a new contract at Arsenal.

Career

Arsenal

Born in Lambeth, London, Ayling joined Arsenal at the age of 10, despite being a loyal Chelsea fan,[1] progressing through the Arsenal youth sides, playing alongside Jack Wilshere,[2] before signing scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2007.[3] 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 side of the 2008–09 season forming a crucial defensive partnership with Kyle Bartley.[4] In June 2009, Ayling signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.[3][5] Ayling's only call into the first team squad came during the 2009–10 season. Awarded the number 46 shirt, Ayling was an unused substitute for a dead rubber 1–0 UEFA Champions League group stage defeat to Olympiacos on 9 December 2009.[6] Ayling departed the club in June 2010 after his contract expired.[7]

Yeovil Town

In March 2010, Ayling joined Football League One side Yeovil Town on loan for an initial month,[8] and on 2 April 2010, made his professional debut as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw away at Southend United.[9] Ayling's loan was extended until the end of the season,[10] Ayling played four games in total including his first league start in the final game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, on 8 May 2010.[11]

On 20 May 2010, Ayling agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil.[7][12] He linked up with Yeovil Town for pre-season training on 1 July 2010, subject to a successful medical. Ayling made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Leyton Orient.[13] Ayling made forty appearances in his first full season with Yeovil but had discipline issues receiving thirteen yellow and two red cards.[14] Early in the 2012–13 season, Ayling reached a milestone 100 games for the club, having established himself as a consistent player and a fan favourite. On 19 May 2013, Ayling played in the 2013 League One play-off Final as Yeovil beat Brentford 2–1 to secure promotion to the Football League Championship.[15]

His contract expired in June 2014 and after rejecting the offer of a new deal he left Yeovil Town.

Bristol City

Following his departure from Yeovil Town, Ayling signed for fellow League One side Bristol City on 8 July 2014 for an undisclosed compensation fee, signing a three-year deal.[16] Ayling made his debut for Bristol City, on 9 August 2014, in their opening day victory over Sheffield United.[17]

Admiration

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.[18]

Career statistics

As of 1 May 2016.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Yeovil Town (loan) 2009–10[19] League One 4000000040
Yeovil Town 2010–11[14] League One 37010101[lower-alpha 1]0400
2011–12[20] League One 440301000480
2012–13[21] League One 39000206[lower-alpha 2]0470
2013–14[22] Championship 4222021—463
Total 16626061701853
Bristol City 2014–15[23] League One 46450106[lower-alpha 1]0584
2015–16[24] Championship 3202010—350
Total 784702060934
Career total 2446130811302777
  1. 1 2 Appearances 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. ↑ "More on: Luke Ayling". Arsenal Youth Blog. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "Jack Wilshere will be back terrorising opponents again soon – I can’t wait". Metro. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Four youngsters turn pro while nine depart". Arsenal F.C. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  4. ↑ "Player Profiles- Arsenal’s resilient defensive duo Luke Ayling and Kyle Bartley". Arsenal Youth Blog. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Ramsey agrees new deal at Arsenal". BBC Sport. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "Olympiacos 1–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 9 December 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Luke Ayling joins Yeovil Town". Arsenal F.C. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Yeovil Town sign Arsenal defender Luke Ayling". BBC Sport. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Southend 0–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Luke Ayling remains at Yeovil Town for rest of season". BBC Sport. 14 April 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "Brighton 1–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Yeovil Town to sign Arsenal teenager Luke Ayling". BBC Sport. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Yeovil 2–1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010.
  14. 1 2 "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  15. ↑ "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Luke Ayling: Bristol City sign Yeovil Town defender". BBC Sport. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "Sheffield United 1–2 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  18. ↑ Claridge, Steve (28 April 2009). "Scouting report: Luke Ayling, Arsenal". Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  19. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  20. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  21. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  22. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  23. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "Games played by Luke Ayling in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 August 2015.

External links

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