Niall Mason

Last updated

Niall Mason
Personal information
Full name Niall Aadya Mason [1]
Date of birth (1997-01-10) 10 January 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Brighton, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) [2]
Position(s) Defender [3]
Team information
Current team
Al Shahaniya
Number 4
Youth career
2004–2007 Real Madrid
2010 Al Sadd
2010–2012 Blackburn Rovers
2012–2015 Southampton
2015–2016 Aston Villa
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2015–2017 Aston Villa 0 (0)
2016–2017Doncaster Rovers (loan) 38 (0)
2017–2019 Doncaster Rovers 60 (3)
2019–2021 Peterborough United 57 (1)
2021–2022 Lusail
2022– Al Shahaniya 36 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:59, 30 March 2023 (UTC)

Niall Aadya Mason (born 10 January 1997) [3] is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Al Shahaniya.

Contents

He was born in Brighton, and played youth football for Real Madrid, Al Sadd, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton before he signed his first professional deal at Villa. [4] He went on to play for Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United.

Early life

Niall Mason was born in Brighton in 1997 to an American father and an Indian mother. The family spent time living in Spain and Qatar. [4] Mason is eligible to play for India, the United States or England. He has said that he would like to play for England if the opportunity arose. [4]

As a 7-year-old, Mason was signed by the Real Madrid academy. When David Beckham visited the academy the two would often converse, as they were the only English players at the club. He also played alongside Zinedine Zidane's sons, Enzo and Luca.[ citation needed ] He went on to play for the Al Sadd academy in Qatar when his parents moved there for work and then signed for Blackburn Rovers at the age of 13. [5]

In his early days Mason played in advanced positions, but he has gradually moved further down the pitch and now plays mostly as a defender or defensive midfielder. [6]

Career

Aston Villa

Mason signed his first contract with Aston Villa in 2015, after turning down a professional contract in order to join Aston Villa. Following a successful trial, he became a regular for Villa's under 21s. [7]

He joined the first team for a summer 2015 training camp in Faro, Portugal under manager Tim Sherwood. [4]

Doncaster Rovers

On 6 August 2016, Mason joined Doncaster Rovers on loan until January alongside Chelsea's Jordan Houghton. [6] Both players made their debut on the same day, in a 3–2 loss to Accrington Stanley. [8] On 1 January 2017, Mason had his loan extended until the end of the season. [9]

On 8 May 2017 Doncaster Rovers signed Mason permanently from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee. [10] He scored his first goal on 23 December that year, a penalty that was the only goal of a victory away to Bristol Rovers. [11] Three days later, he scored in the same way in a 3–0 win over Northampton Town at the Keepmoat Stadium. [12]

Mason was a regular under Darren Ferguson and then Grant McCann, but was suspended in January 2019 following his conviction. [13] In March 2019, Mason was sacked from Doncaster Rovers as a result of his conviction for sexual assault. [14]

Peterborough United

In June 2019 he signed for Peterborough United. [15] He scored his first goal for the club in an EFL Trophy tie against Burton Albion on 8 September 2020. [16]

On 11 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Peterborough at the end of his contract. He scored his first and only league goal for The Posh in his final appearance for the club against his former side Doncaster a few days beforehand. [17]

In August 2021, Mason had a brief trial at Dundee. His presence led to fan protests over his conviction. [18]

Al Shahiniya

In December 2021, Mason returned to Qatar and after a spell playing for Lusail, he joined Qatari side Al Shahaniya. In the summer of 2023 he signed a new extension on his deal for a reported $1.25 million a year salary. [19]

Career statistics

As of match played 5 April 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2016–17 [20] League Two 38000103 [lower-alpha 1] 0420
Doncaster Rovers 2017–18 [21] League One 40330304 [lower-alpha 1] 0503
2018–19 [22] League One20040202 [lower-alpha 1] 0280
Total603705060783
Peterborough United 2019–20 [23] League One30040102 [lower-alpha 1] 0370
2020–21 [24] League One27120005 [lower-alpha 1] 1311
Total571601071681
Career total1554130701611885
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grant McCann</span> Northern Irish football player and manager

Grant Samuel McCann is a Northern Irish professional football manager and former player who played as a midfielder in the Football League. He is currently the manager of EFL League Two club Doncaster Rovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Olejnik</span> Austrian footballer

Robert Olejnik is an Austrian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Alcock</span> English footballer (born 1987)

Craig Alcock is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. Having begun his career at Yeovil Town he spent time on loan at Weston-super-Mare, Taunton Town and Tiverton Town before moving to Peterborough United. Alcock then played for Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers and Cheltenham Town. Following a return to Yeovil Town and a stint at Harlow Town, he retired from playing in 2022. Alcock is a U16s coach at Luton Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Rowe</span> English footballer

Thomas Malcolm Rowe is an English professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger but can also operate at left back and currently plays for Doncaster Rovers.

Shaun Richard Brisley is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Matlock Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Mason</span> English association football player and manager

Ryan Glen Mason is an English professional football coach and former player, currently an assistant coach at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, of which he has twice been interim head coach. He first became interim head coach of Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, becoming the youngest coach in Premier League history, at 29. He had a second spell as interim manager in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enda Stevens</span> Irish association football player

Enda John Stevens is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back for EFL Championship club Stoke City and the Republic of Ireland national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Bowery</span> English footballer

Jordan Nathaniel Bowery is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward and defender for League Two club Mansfield Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonson Clarke-Harris</span> Footballer (born 1994)

Jonson Scott Clarke-Harris is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League One side Peterborough United. He will join Rotherham United on 1 July 2024.

Nathan Michael Thompson is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One side Stevenage.

Jed John Steer is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for League One club Peterborough United.

Louis Samuel Reed is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for League Two club Mansfield Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Houghton</span> English footballer (born 1995)

Jordan Alexander Houghton is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle.

Corey Josiah Paul Blackett-Taylor is an English professional footballer who plays for Derby County. He has represented England at Under-19 level.

Niall Nathan Michael Ennis is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Stoke City.

Frazer John Blake-Tracy is an English professional footballer who plays as a left back for Swindon Town.

Ricky-Jade Jones is an English footballer who plays as a striker or midfielder for League One club Peterborough United.

Charlie O'Connell is an English footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder fo EFL League One club Peterborough United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ajiboye</span> British footballer

David Ibukun Ajiboye is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger or striker for EFL League One side Peterborough United.

Harley Mills is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Peterborough United.

References

  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Bradford City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 52. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  2. "Niall Mason". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Niall Mason". www.avfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Evans, Gregg (11 July 2015). "Aston Villa in Portugal: The lowdown on 18-year-old Niall Mason who could make his debut tonight" . Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  5. Amin-ul Islam, Mohammad. "Niall eyes donning England colours". Doha Stadium Plus Qatar. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Doncaster Rovers sign former Real Madrid junior Niall Mason on loan from Aston Villa". www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  7. "Who Is Niall Mason?". Read Aston Villa. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  8. "Accrington Stanley 3–2 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  9. "Doncaster extension for Mason". Vital Football. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  10. "Niall Mason: Doncaster Rovers sign on-loan Aston Villa defender". BBC Sport. 8 May 2017.
  11. "Bristol Rovers 0–1 Doncaster: Niall Mason scores winner". Sky Sports. Press Association. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  12. "Doncaster 3–0 Northampton: Comfortable win for Rovers". Sky Sports. 26 December 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  13. "Club statement". Doncaster Rovers F.C. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  14. "Niall Mason: Doncaster Rovers sack defender after sexual assault". BBC Sport. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  15. "Niall Mason: Peterborough sign defender sacked by Doncaster after sexual assault". BBC. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  16. "Penalty Success For Posh After Entertaining Encounter". theposh.com. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  17. "Posh Confirm Retained List For Next Season". www.theposh.com.
  18. Cran, George; Rae, Steven (18 August 2021). "Dundee end trial of convicted sex offender Niall Mason". The Courier. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  19. "الشحانية يغلق ملف المحترفين بالتعاقد مع أمير روستائى ونايل" (in Arabic). Al Shahaniya SC. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  20. "Games played by Niall Mason in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  21. "Games played by Niall Mason in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  22. "Games played by Niall Mason in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  23. "Games played by Niall Mason in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  24. "Games played by Niall Mason in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 April 2021.