The subject of this article is in the news regarding a reported transfer. Information regarding the transfer may be based on anonymous sources or awaiting an official announcement. Breaking news reports may be unreliable. |
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Ayden Edford Heaven [1] | ||
Date of birth | 22 September 2006 | ||
Place of birth | Enfield, London, England | ||
Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Manchester United FC | ||
Youth career | |||
2015–2019 | West Ham United | ||
2019– | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2024– | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2024 | England U18 | 2 | (0) |
2024– | England U19 | 2 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:15, 1 August 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:19, 25 September 2024 (UTC) |
Ayden Edford Heaven (born 22 September 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Arsenal.
Heaven joined the academy at West Ham United when he was eight years old, where he stayed for four years. After a trial with Chelsea, he joined the academy system at Arsenal, the club he had supported since childhood. [2] He signed a scholarship contract with Arsenal in the summer of 2023. [3] He trained with the Arsenal first team squad on occasion during the 2023–24 season. [4] [5] He was best friends with Miles Fearon growing up.
Heaven was heavily involved with Arsenal first team training during the 2024 summer preseason, and was one of three youngsters, along with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, individually praised by manager Mikel Arteta in August 2024. [6] The following month he was included amongst the match-day substitutes for the North London derby against Spurs in the Premier League. [7] He made his Arsenal debut on 30 October 2024, away at Preston North End in EFL Cup helping Arsenal win 3–0. [8]
In May 2024 Heaven made his debut for the England U18 side against Northern Ireland. [9]
Heaven is considered capable of playing as a box-to-box central midfielder as well as in defence, central or left-sided. [10] [11] [12]
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