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Charlie Setford
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Charlie Terence Setford (born 11 May 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Dutch Eerste Divisie club Jong Ajax.
Key Information
Born in the Netherlands, he represents England at youth level.[7]
Club career
[edit]Ajax
[edit]Setford was scouted by AFC Ajax at age 7 (at Football club BSM in Bennebroek), and he has been part of the club ever since.[3] He featured regularly at every level of the club's youth system.[5] He signed a three-year contract with Ajax in June 2020.[3] On 2 April 2021, aged 16, Setford made the bench for Jong Ajax in a league match for the first time.[8][9] He made the bench on three more occasions before the end of the season.[4]
Setford made his first appearance and start for Jong Ajax during the 2021–22 season in a league match on 20 August 2021 against FC Den Bosch.[10][11] Aged only 17, this made him the youngest goalkeeper ever to play for Ajax.[10][12] Jong Ajax won 3–2 and Setford made an important one-on-one save.[12] Setford made a second start against MVV on 27 September, saving a penalty in a 3–1 win.[13]
Setford also made the bench for the senior Ajax team for the league match against PEC Zwolle on 11 September 2021, and from then on has made regular appearances on the bench for the seniors, including in the UEFA Champions League match against Beşiktaş on 28 September 2021.[4]
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
[edit]On 2 February 2026, Setford joined EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, but failed to make a matchday squad for the duration of his loan before returning to his parent club.[14]
International career
[edit]Setford was born in the Netherlands to an English father and Dutch mother, and is eligible to play for both England and the Netherlands at international level.[3][6][15] He has played for both nations at youth level, playing a combined four appearances for Netherlands U15 and Netherlands U16 before 2020, as well as making five appearances for the England U16 team.[5] However, Setford later announced that he had decided to commit to playing for England over the Netherlands at international level, explaining: "It was my own choice, and my family as well. My heart lays at England. At England, they've got more trust in me than they would at Holland, for my feeling. So that's one of the biggest reasons why I chose for England."[6]
On 27 August 2021, Setford received his first call up to the England U18s.[16] He made his first appearance on 3 September 2021, starting a 1–1 draw against Wales U18.[17] On 18 March 2022, he received his first call up the England U20 squad.[18]
Setford is considered one of the most exciting England prospects of his generation.[19]
Personal life
[edit]Charlie has a younger brother, Tommy Setford, who is also a goalkeeper and currently plays for Arsenal's academy[20] as well as the England U21s.[15] Charlie and Tommy's father is English pro golfer Chris Setford, who has been living in the Netherlands due to his career.[15][21]
Setford's favourite team other than Ajax is Southampton, as his English father is from Alton near the city.[6] Setford says he and his family only speak English at home.[6]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of 2 May 2026
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Jong Ajax | 2020–21 | Eerste Divisie | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2021–22 | Eerste Divisie | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||||
| 2022–23 | Eerste Divisie | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||||
| 2023–24 | Eerste Divisie | 19 | 0 | — | — | — | 19 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25 | Eerste Divisie | 20 | 0 | — | — | — | 20 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 56 | 0 | — | — | — | 56 | 0 | |||||
| Ajax | 2024–25 | Eredivisie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 2025–26 | League Two | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 56 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 0 | ||
Honours
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "EFL Squad List: Season 2025/26". EFL. 10 February 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Charlie Setford stats, news, bio". ESPN. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Charlie Setford" (Family website). The Setford Brothers. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Charlie Setford". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Stead, Matthew (30 March 2021). "A completely foreign-based England squad for Euro 2020". Football365. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Statham, Michael (3 May 2021). "'England trusted me more than Holland': Ajax goalkeeper Setford". Football-Oranje.com. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Stone, Simon (15 March 2022). "Charlie Setford: The teenage goalkeeper aiming for success with Ajax - and England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- ^ "16-year-old Charlie Setford makes the bench for Jong Ajax for the first time in Holland's second-tier". English Players Abroad. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Jong Ajax saves deserved point against NAC". Ajax.nl (in Dutch). 2 April 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b Wagener, Trevor (20 August 2021). "Debuting Charlie Setford becomes youngest Young Ajax goalkeeper ever". Sportnieuws.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Charlie Setford Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b Meijer, Chris (20 August 2021). "De Graafschap wins again with Seuntjens; Jong Ajax books first win". voetbalzone (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Jong Ajax wins against MVV for third time in a row". Ajax.nl (in Dutch). 27 September 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "DonDeal: Charlie Setford signs for MK Dons". Milton Keynes Dons. 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Volcano, Carlos (21 May 2020). "Ajax goalkeeper Charlie Setford favours England over Holland". Tribal Football. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Smith, Frank (27 August 2021). "Wales trip for MU18s squad". England Football (The FA). Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Cymru U18 v England U18 - WATCH LIVE". YouTube. FA Wales. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Veevers, Nicholas (18 March 2022). "England MU20s squad named for Poland and Germany games". England Football. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ Maston, Tom (13 July 2021). "Delap, Chukwuemeka, Elliott & the NXGN talents who could make England even better". Goal. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Ajax and Arsenal reach agreement on Tommy Setford". english.ajax.nl. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Vos, Yanick (19 May 2020). "Ajax-talent played youth international for the Dutch team: 'Better feeling with England'" (in Dutch). voetbalzone. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Ter Haar, Jesse (7 June 2022). "Setford verkozen tot Ajax' grootste talent uit de opleiding; goalie ontvangt Abdelhak Nouri Trofee" (in Dutch). Ajax Showtime. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
External links
[edit]- "Charlie Setford" (Family website). The Setford Brothers. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
Charlie Setford
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Early life
Family background
Charlie Setford was born on 11 May 2004 in Haarlem, Netherlands.[1] His father, Chris Setford, is an English professional golfer who has resided in the Netherlands.[2] His mother is Dutch, contributing to the family's multicultural background in the Haarlem area.[2] Setford's mixed parental heritage provides him with dual nationality, allowing eligibility to represent either England or the Netherlands at the international level.[5] This has shaped his early involvement in youth international football for both nations.[6] He shares a close sibling relationship with his younger brother, Tommy Setford, who has followed a similar path into professional football and currently plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal.[5] The brothers grew up together in the Netherlands, with Tommy citing Charlie's influence in his introduction to the sport.[5]Introduction to football
Charlie Setford developed an early passion for football, shaped by his family's sporting heritage and the vibrant football culture in the Netherlands. Born in Haarlem on 11 May 2004 to a Dutch mother and English father Chris Setford, a professional golfer based in the country, Setford grew up in an environment that emphasized athletic pursuits.[2] The local Dutch setting in Haarlem, a region surrounded by enthusiastic youth football communities, further nurtured this enthusiasm, as the Netherlands' national obsession with the sport provided constant exposure through neighborhood games and community events.[2] Setford's first organized football experiences began around age seven, prior to his recruitment by a major academy, when he joined SV BSM, a local youth club in nearby Bennebroek.[3] At SV BSM, he participated in structured training and matches, marking the start of his formal involvement in the game in the Haarlem area.[7] This period allowed him to hone basic skills in a supportive local setting, away from professional pressures, while playing alongside peers in the competitive yet accessible Dutch youth football scene.[2] During these early years at SV BSM, Setford adopted the goalkeeper position, drawn by the role's demands and his own physical suitability for it. His admiration for Dutch national team goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, particularly Stekelenburg's standout performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, inspired Setford to pursue goalkeeping seriously from a young age.[7] Physical attributes, including rapid height growth that positioned him as notably tall for his age, further aligned him with the position's requirements, as goalkeepers often benefit from reach and presence in the goal area.[4] By this stage, Setford's development emphasized building confidence and technique in net, setting the foundation for his subsequent progression.[2]Club career
Ajax youth academy
Charlie Setford joined the Ajax youth academy in 2011 at the age of seven after being scouted from his local club in Haarlem.[2] With family support in settling into the Amsterdam area, he began his development in the club's renowned system, which prioritizes technical proficiency and tactical awareness from an early age.[8] Setford progressed steadily through Ajax's age-group teams, starting with the U8 side and advancing to U17, where he featured regularly and honed his skills in competitive environments.[9] By 2020, at age 16, he earned promotion to the U19 team, marking a significant milestone in his youth career.[10] That same year, in June, he signed his first professional contract with Ajax, a three-year deal that underscored the club's investment in his potential.[2] Throughout his time in the academy, Setford's training emphasized Ajax's Total Football philosophy, adapted for goalkeepers to include strong distribution skills and participation in build-up play from the back.[8] This approach, rooted in the club's offensive and creative style, focused on developing his ability to initiate attacks with precise passing and quick decision-making under pressure.[11]Jong Ajax debut and development
Setford made his professional debut for Jong Ajax on 20 August 2021, starting in a 3–2 Eerste Divisie victory against FC Den Bosch and becoming the youngest goalkeeper to feature for the reserve side at 17 years and 3 months old.[12][13] During the match, he contributed with a crucial one-on-one save to help secure the win.[12] As of November 2025, Setford has made 56 appearances for Jong Ajax across various competitions, with standout moments in the 2022–2023 season including several key saves and clean sheets that underscored his growing reliability as a shot-stopper. In the 2024/25 season, he made 20 appearances in the Eerste Divisie, keeping 6 clean sheets.[4][14] Adhering to Ajax's youth development model, which emphasizes integrated training over external loans, Setford remained with the reserve team to build experience without pursuing temporary moves elsewhere.[2] In June 2023, he signed a contract extension with Ajax, securing his stay until June 2027.[12] His market value is €300,000 as of November 2025, reflecting steady progression in the club's academy system.[1]Senior team prospects
Setford made his first appearance on the Ajax senior team bench during a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Sporting CP on 15 September 2021.[15] He has been regularly included in subsequent senior matchday squads across domestic and European competitions, culminating in his participation in the official UEFA Champions League portrait session for the 2025/26 season on 2 August 2025 in Amsterdam, but remains without a competitive first-team start as of November 2025.[16][17] As a promising young goalkeeper, Setford trains weekly with the senior squad and competes for opportunities behind established starter Remko Pasveer, the 42-year-old incumbent who continues to hold the primary role in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League squad.[3][18] His consistent performances with Jong Ajax have served as a key stepping stone toward first-team integration. Despite the competition, Setford's potential has drawn scouting attention from Premier League clubs, including Manchester City and Liverpool, as reported in mid-2024.[19]International career
Netherlands youth teams
Setford, born in Haarlem, Netherlands, to an English father and a Dutch mother, was eligible to represent both nations through birth and maternal heritage.[2] His initial involvement with the Netherlands youth teams came via a call-up to the under-15 squad in 2018, though his debut occurred the following year.[20] Setford earned three caps for the Netherlands U15 team in 2019, all in friendly matches. He made his debut on 1 February against Ireland, which ended in a 2–2 draw. Later that year, on 5 March, he started in a 2–2 draw with Belgium, and on 9 May, he played the full 90 minutes in a 0–2 loss to Germany.[21] In 2019, Setford also received one cap at under-16 level, starting in a 1–0 friendly victory over Hungary on 7 November.[22] His limited appearances stemmed from a growing preference for England, influenced by his paternal ties and family's English background. By 2020, Setford had decided to pursue his international career with the English FA, effectively ending his involvement with Dutch youth squads after his final appearance in 2019.[23]England youth teams
Setford committed his international allegiance to England in the summer of 2019, having previously represented the Netherlands at youth levels up to under-16.[2] He received his first call-up to the England under-18 squad on 27 August 2021 for a friendly against Wales.[24] Setford made his debut on 3 September 2021, starting in goal during a 1–1 draw at Newport County's Spytty Park, where he faced an early test by conceding to Luke Harris but helped secure a point.[25] Setford earned further under-18 caps during the 2021–2022 season, featuring in matches including a 1–2 loss to Norway on 7 October 2021, where he started, and appearances against Russia, Belgium, and Portugal in October and November 2021.[26][27][28] Notably, in the 0–0 draw with Belgium on 13 November 2021, he saved a penalty during the shootout victory (5–4). Overall, he accumulated four under-18 appearances that year. On 18 March 2022, Setford received his first call-up to the England under-20 squad for friendlies against Poland and Germany, though he remained an unused substitute in both games.[29][30] In May 2025, Setford was named to the England U21 pre-Euro training squad.[31]Personal life
Family influences
Charlie Setford's father, Chris Setford, a professional English golfer, has significantly shaped his son's approach to football through a household emphasis on competitiveness and dedication. Chris's own career in a demanding individual sport fostered a family environment where hard work and resilience were prioritized, with the brothers often engaging in competitive activities at home that translated to their shared pursuit of goalkeeping excellence. This joint parental support extended to both Charlie and his younger brother Tommy, encouraging their parallel paths in Ajax's youth academy while balancing their individual ambitions.[2] Setford's mother, with her Dutch heritage, has provided essential cultural balance, facilitating the family's seamless integration into Dutch society despite their mixed backgrounds. Growing up in Haarlem, the brothers benefited from her influence in navigating local customs and language, which supported their early football development in the Netherlands without cultural dislocation. This maternal role complemented the family's English-leaning interests, such as watching Premier League matches, creating a supportive bilingual home that reinforced their professional focus.[32][2] The sibling dynamic between Charlie and Tommy has been a key motivator, marked by healthy rivalry as both pursued goalkeeping careers at Ajax before Tommy's transfer to Arsenal in 2024. Tommy's ambition to surpass his older brother added drive to Charlie's training regimen, while their distinct styles—Charlie's calculated approach versus Tommy's intuitive play—minimized direct competition at home but heightened mutual inspiration. This brotherly motivation, underpinned by family encouragement, has propelled their development amid the pressures of elite youth football.[2][32][5] The family's influence also played a role in Charlie's decision to represent England at the youth international level, aligning with his father's heritage to honor paternal pride.[2]Interests and education
Setford is a lifelong supporter of Southampton FC, having developed his fandom through family ties to England and early visits there during his childhood.[33][34] As a product of the Ajax youth academy, Setford balanced intensive football training with formal education at the club's dedicated academic center in Amsterdam, which emphasizes a holistic approach including academic schooling for young players.[35] The program supports bilingual development, aligning with Setford's upbringing in a household where English is the primary language spoken at home, alongside his native Dutch proficiency acquired in the Netherlands.[33] Academy curricula also incorporate elements of sports science to complement athletic training.[36] Beyond football, Setford maintains an interest in golf, influenced by his family's sporting legacy—his father, Chris Setford, is a professional golfer.[2]Career statistics and honours
Club statistics
Charlie Setford has primarily featured for Jong Ajax, the reserve team of AFC Ajax, in the Eerste Divisie, where he has recorded a total of 56 appearances, conceding 93 goals while keeping 13 clean sheets as of 19 November 2025.[37]| Season | Appearances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | 8 | 10 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | 9 | 17 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | 19 | 37 | 4 |
| 2024–25 | 20 | 29 | 6 |
| Total | 56 | 93 | 13 |
International statistics
Charlie Setford has accumulated 15 youth international appearances across the Netherlands and England teams, with no senior caps to date. His international journey began with the Netherlands at U15 and U16 levels before he switched to represent England from U18 upwards, primarily in friendlies and preparatory competitions. All of his Netherlands caps came in friendlies where he maintained a clean sheet record, while his England appearances include notable performances such as saving a penalty in a shootout victory against Belgium U18.[27] The breakdown of his caps highlights a focus on developmental friendlies and qualifiers, with no participation in major tournament finals. For instance, several England U20 matches served as preparation for the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers, where he featured in Elite League fixtures against Romania and Portugal.[39]Netherlands Youth Statistics
| Level | Caps | Goals Conceded | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| U15/U16 | 5 | 0 | Friendlies |
England Youth Statistics
| Level | Caps | Clean Sheets | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| U18 | 4 | 2 | Friendlies (e.g., Pinatar Tournament) |
| U20 | 6 | 1 | Elite League, Friendlies (e.g., 2023 U19 Euros prep) |