Archie James Francis Gray (born 12 March 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder or right-back for EFL Championship club Leeds United.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Archie James Francis Gray[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 March 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Durham, England[2] | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Central midfielder, right-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Leeds United | ||
| Number | 22 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2022 | Leeds United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Leeds United | 42 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021 | England U15 | 1 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | England U16 | 8 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | England U17 | 9 | (1) |
| 2022–2023 | England U19 | 3 | (0) |
| 2023– | England U20 | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | England U21 | 2 | (1) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:12, 24 April 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:47, 26 March 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
Born in Durham, Gray joined Leeds United at under-9 level.[2][3] He progressed rapidly through the academy, and an agreement had to be met between Leeds United and Gray's school, the St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate, for Gray to miss classes in order to train with the first team, at the request of then-manager Marcelo Bielsa.[3]
On 18 December 2021, aged 15, Gray was named on the bench for a Premier League game against Arsenal.[3] Had he featured, he would have broken the record for Leeds United's youngest player, set in 1962 by Peter Lorimer.[3] He made the bench a further five times in the 2021–22 season, but did not feature.[4]
He signed a two-year scholarship deal with Leeds United in September 2022.[5]
On 6 August 2023, he made his Leeds United and senior debut in the opening game of the 2023–24 EFL Championship season against Cardiff City at Elland Road.[6] In April 2024, he was awarded the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season.[7]
International career edit
Gray has represented England at under-16 and under-17 level.[2] He remains eligible to represent Scotland.[8]
On 17 May 2023, Gray was named in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[9]
Having already stepped up to the England U19 squad, Gray made his U20 debut on 16 November 2023 during a 3–0 defeat to Italy at the Eco-Power Stadium.[10]
On 22 March 2024, Gray scored on his debut for England U21 in a 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Azerbaijan U21, in which England won 5–1 in Baku.[11]
Personal life edit
He is the son of Andy Gray, and Giorgina. He is one of four brothers.[12] He is also the grandson of Frank Gray, and the great nephew of Eddie Gray, all of whom played for Leeds United and represented Scotland at international level.[3] His brother Harry also plays for the Leeds United academy.[3]
Career statistics edit
Club edit
- As of match played 22 April 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leeds United U21 | 2021–22[13] | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Leeds United | 2023–24[14] | Championship | 42 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 47 | 0 | |
| Career total | 42 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
- ^ Appearance in EFL Trophy
Honours edit
Individual
- EFL Championship Young Player of the Season: 2023–24[7]
- EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season: 2023–24[7]
References edit
- ^ "Updated squad lists for 2022/23 Premier League". Premier League. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Archie Gray at WorldFootball.net
- ^ a b c d e f Hay, Phil (26 August 2022). "Archie Gray: 16 years old, GCSEs freshly in hand and part of the Leeds first team". theathletic.com. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ Archie Gray at Soccerway
- ^ Barrett, Thomas (16 September 2022). "Harrogate's Archie Gray signs scholarship with Leeds United". thestrayferret.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Leeds United v Cardiff City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Crysencio Summerville named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season". EFL. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Berry, Gavin (14 April 2022). "Who is Archie Gray? The Leeds United wonderkid from Scottish football royalty making his name with ENGLAND". dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ "England MU17s squad named for EURO Finals". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "Report: England Elite League squad 0–3 Italy". Emglandfootball.com. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ "Elliott scores twice in big England U21s win". BBC Sport. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Heppenstall, Ross (8 December 2023). "Archie Gray: 'My childhood dream was to win the Champions League with Leeds'". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Games played by Archie Gray in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Archie Gray in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 April 2024.