Nathan Delfouneso

Nathan Delfouneso

Delfouneso training with Aston Villa
Personal information
Full name Nathan Abayomi Delfouneso[1]
Date of birth (1991-02-02) 2 February 1991[2]
Place of birth Tyseley, Birmingham, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Blackburn Rovers
Number 7
Youth career
2006–2008 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2008–2014 Aston Villa 31 (2)
2011 → Burnley (loan) 11 (1)
2012 → Leicester City (loan) 4 (0)
2012–2013 → Blackpool (loan) 41 (6)
2013–2014 → Blackpool (loan) 11 (0)
2014 → Coventry City (loan) 14 (3)
2014–2015 Blackpool 38 (3)
2015– Blackburn Rovers 15 (1)
National team
2006–2007 England U16 8 (3)
2007–2008 England U17 4 (3)
2008–2010 England U19 25 (9)
2010–2012 England U21 17 (4)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:16, 3 January 2016 (UTC).

† Appearances (goals)

Nathan Abayomi Delfouneso (born 2 February 1991) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a striker for Blackburn Rovers having graduated from Aston Villa's academy, learning his trade through a series of loan moves and permanent spell at Blackpool. Delfouneso has been a regular England youth international, playing over 50 matches at U16, U17, U19 and U21 levels.

Club career

Aston Villa

Born in Tyseley, Birmingham, Delfouneso – a product of the Aston Villa Academy – became a regular for both the club's reserve and academy teams in the 2006–07 season. He made his debut for the reserve team in March 2007, just a month after turning 16. Nathan Delfouneso's late winner helped Aston Villa to a 2–1 win against Portsmouth. In October 2007, he scored his first goal in a 1–1 draw with Reading. In February 2008, Delfouneso signed his first professional contract with Aston Villa, a few days after he was given the number 14 shirt for the first team – it was later reported in French magazine Onze Mondial, that the number was chosen due to Delfouneso's admiration of striker Thierry Henry. He also travelled with the squad for the game at Fulham, but missed out on the final 16.[3] By the end of the 2007–08 season, Delfouneso had made 41 appearances for the Academy team, scoring 22 goals in the process.

Delfouneso warming up for Aston Villa in 2008.

Delfouneso made his competitive first-team début as a substitute in the away tie of the UEFA Cup second round match against Icelandic opponents FH Hafnarfjörður, this in turn made Delfouneso the youngest player to represent Aston Villa in European competition, at the age of 17 years and 195 days. He also came on in the second leg at Villa Park. He made his first competitive start in a UEFA Cup tie against MŠK Žilina, scoring with a stunning left-footed volley after just half an hour of his debut.[4] He scored again in his second start on 17 December 2008, netting a consolation goal away at Hamburg.[5]

Delfouneso made his first domestic senior appearance on 4 January 2009, in an FA Cup tie against Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium, which Villa won 2–1. He scored his first domestic senior goal a month later, on 4 February 2009 in an FA Cup fourth round replay against Doncaster Rovers at Villa Park, which Villa won 3–1.[6] His performance was rewarded with high praise from boss Martin O'Neill.

On 16 February 2009, it was reported that Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock was interested in taking Delfouneso to Selhurst Park on loan. Villa boss O'Neill refused, declaring that Warnock's chances of acquiring the striker were "not a prayer".[7]

Delfouneso made his league debut against Tottenham Hotspur as a second-half substitute for Gabriel Agbonlahor, on 15 March 2009.[8] He was given a second run-out during Villa's 3–3 draw with Everton, creating two good chances for himself, but failed to score.

On 13 May 2009, Delfouneso marked an impressive debut season, as he picked up both Aston Villa Players Young Player of the Year and Aston Villa Supporters Young Player of the Year, at the annual end of season Awards Night. Delfouneso furthered this eight days later, as he netted the opening goal in a 3–1 victory over Sunderland in the Premier Reserve League final.

On 6 November 2009, Delfouneso signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Aston Villa keeping him at the club until the end of the 2011–12 season.

On 2 January 2010, Delfouneso was in the starting eleven for Aston Villa's third round FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers. In the game he scored his fourth senior goal for the club, which was his team's first goal in a 3–1 win. Delfouneso scored with his head, diverting an in-swinging Ashley Young cross just inside the opposition keeper's near right post from 10 yards.[9] Shortly after the game, Villa boss Martin O'Neill admitted that Delfouneso along with fellow youngsters Marc Albrighton and Ciaran Clark were the subject of many loan offers from various other clubs. However, he went on to emphasise his confidence that the trio were good enough to remain as vital squad members on the fringes of Aston Villa's first team.[10]

On 23 January 2010, Delfouneso scored the opening goal in the 5th minute in Villa's FA Cup 4th round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion. He was an unused substitute in the final of the League Cup, as Villa lost 2–1 to Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on 28 February. He scored his first league goal on 18 April, after coming off the bench against Portsmouth in a 2–1 victory at Fratton Park.

On 6 November 2010, Delfouneso started his first Premier League game against Fulham due to Emile Heskey, John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor being injured. He completed 88 minutes of the match which he substituted for Stephen Ireland, with the match ending as a 1–1 draw. On 10 November 2010, Delfouneso scored his second Premier League goal in a 3–2 win against Blackpool at Villa Park. On 21 November 2010, he made a substitute appearance against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, replacing Gabriel Agbonlahor on 78 minutes in a 2–0 defeat. On 27 November, he played in Villa's 4–2 loss to Arsenal at Villa Park. On 29 January 2011, in the FA Cup fourth round, Delfouneso played and scored with a header against Blackburn Rovers with the third goal in a 3–1 win. At the end of this campaign for Villa, he made 16 appearances and scored 2 goals for them in all competitions.

Loan to Burnley

On 8 March 2011, Delfouneso signed for Burnley of the Football League Championship until the end of the season. He made his debut the same day, playing in an away match at Hull City's KC Stadium. Delfouneso scored past on-loan Aston Villa team-mate Brad Guzan just five minutes in to his first start for The Clarets.[11]

Return to Aston Villa

In July 2011, he signed a new three-year contract with Aston Villa. On Saturday 13 August 2011, Delfouneso was an unused substitute in Villa's opening 2011–12 Premier League fixture with Fulham at Craven Cottage in a 0–0 draw.

On 23 August 2011, he scored in the League Cup tie against Hereford helping Villa to win 2–0.[12]

Loan to Leicester City

On 23 January 2012, Delfouneso signed a one-month loan deal with Leiester City. He made 5 appearances for the Foxes all as a substitute but didn't manage to score a goal.

Loans to Blackpool

On 31 August 2012 he signed a one-year loan deal with Championship side Blackpool.[13] He made his debut the following day as a 66th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.[14] He scored his first goals for the club on 18 September, scoring twice in a 4–1 win against Middlesbrough.[15]

On 16 August 2013 is was confirmed that Delfouneso had re-signed on loan with Blackpool on a six-month deal.[16] He played 11 league games in his second spell at Blackpool before returning to his parent club on 2 January 2014.

Loan to Coventry City

On 30 January 2014, Delfouneso joined Coventry City on loan for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.[17] Delfouneso struggled for fitness during his spell with Coventry City and managed only 2 league goals in 14 appearances the Sky Blues. His first came against Walsall in March with his second and last goal for Coventry coming in a 2–1 defeat at Bramall Lane at the end of the 2013/14 season. Delfouneso was also credited for a goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers which was later awarded as a Danny Batth own goal.[18]

End of 2013–14 season

On 20 May 2014, Aston Villa announced via their Twitter page that Delfouneso, along with Marc Albrighton, had been released from his contract and would be a free agent for the start of the 2014–15 season.[19]

Permanent return to Blackpool

After two previous loan spells at Bloomfield Road, Delfouneso signed a one-year contract with Blackpool with the option of a second in July 2014.[20] He made his first start for the club in his new spell with them on 9 August.[21] He was released in May 2015.[22]

Blackburn Rovers

On 6 August 2015, following Delfouneso's release from Blackpool he signed for Blackburn Rovers on a one-year deal and was handed the number 7 shirt. On 11 August 2015, he scored his first Rovers goal with a well timed header against Shrewsbury Town in a 2-1 defeat at Ewood Park in the Capital One Cup first round. He also found the back of the net at Huddersfield on 15 August 2015, his 2nd for the Rovers, in a Championship clash.[23]

International career

On the international scene, Delfouneso first came to notice playing for the England U16 team – collecting eight caps and scoring three goals during this period, two were scored in the 2006 Victory Shield. In October 2007, Delfouneso marked his debut for the England U17 team with a hat-trick in a 6–0 victory over Malta.

Delfouneso made his debut for the England U19 team on 8 October 2008 in a UEFA Championship Qualifying tie against Albania. The striker came on as an 18th-minute substitute and netted the second goal in a comfortable 3–0 victory. He added another brace to his tally in the semi-final match against France to put England through to the final of the 2009 UEFA Under-19 Championship.

On 22 February 2010 Delfouneso received his first call up to the England under 21 squad, On 3 March 2010 he scored on his debut for the under 21 team against Greece in a 2–1 defeat.

Delfouneso was named in the final 18-man squad for the 2010 UEFA Under-19 Championship which took place in France.

Delfouneso scored his second U-21 international goal against Iceland at Deepdale in a 1–2 friendly defeat in March 2011.

He scored his third goal for the England under-21 team on 5 September 2011 in a 4–1 win against Israel at Oakwell.[24]

Career statistics

As of match played 2 January 2016.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aston Villa 2008–09[25] Premier League 4031006[lower-alpha 1]2133
2009–10[26] Premier League 91321000133
2010–11[27] Premier League 11121202[lower-alpha 2]0172
2011–12[28] Premier League 600021—81
2012–13[29] Premier League 10—00—10
Total 312845182529
Burnley (loan) 2010–11[27] Championship 111———111
Leicester City (loan) 2011–12[28] Championship 4010——50
Blackpool (loan) 2012–13[29] Championship 41621——437
2013–14[30] Championship 110———110
Total 5262100—547
Coventry City (loan) 2013–14[30] League One 143———143
Blackpool 2014–15[31] Championship 3831010—403
Blackburn Rovers 2015–16[32] Championship 1510011—162
Career total 16516125728219225
  1. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Aston Villa
England
Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Nathan Delfouneso". Footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. ↑ "Nathan Signs". Aston Villa FC. 6 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  4. ↑ Hughes, Ian (4 December 2008). "Aston Villa 1–2 MŠK Žilina". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  5. ↑ "Villa lose to Hamburg in Uefa Cup". BBC Sport. 18 December 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  6. ↑ Ashenden, Mark (4 February 2009). "Aston Villa 3–1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  7. ↑ Aston Villa: Crystal Palace move for Nathan Delfouneso rejected Birmingham Mail, 14 February 2009
  8. ↑ Shea, Julian (15 March 2009). "Aston Villa 1–2 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  9. ↑ Rae, Richard (2 January 2010). "El-Hadji Diouf dismissal gifts victory to Villa". Times Online (London). Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  10. ↑ Aston Villa FC
  11. ↑ "Hull 0–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. 8 March 2011.
  12. ↑ "Aston Villa 2–0 Hereford". BBC News. 23 August 2011.
  13. ↑ "Seasiders Strike Deals For Pair". Blackpool F.C. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Leicester 1–0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  15. ↑ "Blackpool 4–1 Middlesbrough" BBC Sport. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  16. ↑ "Nathan Delfouneso: Blackpool sign Aston Villa striker on loan". BBC Sport. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Nathan Delfouneso signs Coventry loan". Coventry City FC. 30 January 2014.
  18. ↑ "Coventry City 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1". BBC Sport. 26 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "Nathan Delfouneso and Mark Albrighton released from Villa". Aston Villa Official Website. 20 May 2014.
  20. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28553904
  21. ↑ "Nottm Forest 2–0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "Retained List Announced" - Blackpool F.C.'s official website, 19 May 2015
  23. ↑ "Rovers boost attacking options". Blackburn Rovers FC. 6 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "England 4–1 Israel" The FA.com. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  25. ↑ "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  26. ↑ "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  27. 1 2 "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  28. 1 2 "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  29. 1 2 "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  30. 1 2 "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Nathan Delfouneso in 2015/201y". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 July 2015.

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