Ajay Matthews

Ajay Matthews

Ajay Matthews in 2025.
Personal information
Full name	Ajay Matthews [1]
Date of birth	(2006-06-11) 11 June 2006 (age 19) [2]
Place of birth	Middlesbrough, England
Position	Forward
Team information
Current team	Millwall
Number	28
Youth career
2014–2025	Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–2025	Middlesbrough	2	(0)
2025–	Millwall	0	(0)
International career‡
2022	England U17	3	(0)
2024	England U18	2	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:20, 30 January 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 12:06, 28 May 2024 (UTC)

Ajay Matthews (born 11 June 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Millwall.

Early life

Ajay is of Indian descent through his mother. ^{[3] [ better source needed ]} His father Lee Matthews is a former footballer as well as his agent. ^[4]

Career

Middlesbrough

Matthews joined the academy on hometown club Middlesbrough at under-9s level having been spotted playing for local side Marton Juniors. ^[5] Having progressed through the academy system, he signed a first professional two-year contract in June 2023 following an impressive first season as a scholar. ^[6]

Ahead of the 2023–24 season, Matthews featured for the first-team in pre-season friendlies, notably scoring against Hartlepool United. ^[7] On 22 April 2024, Matthews made his first-team senior debut for the club, coming on as a substitute in a 4–3 home defeat to Leeds United. ^[8] The debut came amidst rumours linking him to a number of top European clubs for the upcoming summer transfer window. ^[9]

Millwall

On 30 January 2025, Matthews signed for Championship club Millwall on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. ^[10]

International career

Matthews represented the England U17 team at the 2022 Nordic Cup. ^[11]

In May 2024, Matthews was called up for the England U18s and made his debut which he had scored the final goal during a 4-2 win over Northern Ireland and at St. George's Park. ^[12]

Career statistics

As of end of 2023–24 season

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Middlesbrough	2023–24 [13]	Championship	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
Career total			2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0

References

1. "SQUAD LIST 2023/24 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS" (PDF). English Football League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
2. Ajay Matthews at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
3. "Ajay Matthews". Instagram.com. iffu._official. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
4. "Ajay Matthews". Middlesbrough FC. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
5. Shaw, Dominic (28 June 2023). "Middlesbrough striker Ajay Matthews signs first pro contract". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
6. "Ajay Matthews Signs First Pro Contract". www.mfc.co.uk. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
7. Johns, Craig (19 July 2023). "Michael Carrick makes Middlesbrough academy pledge as youngsters look to impress in pre-season". Teesside Live. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
8. "Middlesbrough 3–4 Leeds: Whites go second in Championship". BBC Sport. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
9. Johns, Craig (19 April 2024). "Eleven Middlesbrough youngsters who could be given Championship chance in the final three games". Teesside Gazette. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
10. "Millwall announce Ajay Matthews signing". www.millwallfc.co.uk. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
11. "Boro Youngsters Feature For England U17s". www.mfc.co.uk. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
12. "Report: England MU18s 4-2 Northern Ireland". EnglandFootball.com. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
13. "Games played by Ajay Matthews in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 April 2024.