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David Cornell
David Cornell
from Wikipedia

David Joseph "Dai" Cornell (born 28 March 1991) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Preston North End. He is a former Wales under-21 international.

Key Information

Club career

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Swansea City

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After progressing through Swansea City's Academy, Cornell was included in Swansea's senior squad for their 2008 pre-season tour of Spain. However the 17-year old's progress was halted when he suffered a serious wrist injury on tour.[5] Later that season, Cornell was called up to the first team bench for Swansea's fifth round FA Cup match against Fulham after loan signing Dimitrios Konstantopoulos was unable to extend his stay at the club.[6] Ten days later, Cornell was included again on Swansea's bench for the# FA Cup fifth round replay against Fulham.[7] After impressing manager Roberto Martínez, Cornell was installed as Dorus de Vries' understudy for the rest of the 2008–09 season but made no further appearances in Swansea's remaining matchday squads.[5]

Cornell made his professional debut for Swansea on 25 August 2009 when he was named in the starting line-up for the League Cup match against Scunthorpe United.[8] In February 2010, Cornell signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Swansea to keep him at the club until July 2013.[9] In the 2009–10 season, Cornell was included on the bench for 45 of Swansea's 46 Football League Championship games.

Following loan spells at Port Talbot Town and Hereford United, Cornell returned to Swansea for the 2012–13 season as third choice goalkeeper. In September 2012, Cornell signed a new three-year deal, keeping him at the club until July 2015.[10] Due to injuries to Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel, Cornell was included on the bench on 14 occasions for Swansea during the season.

On 28 May 2015, Swansea City confirmed that Cornell had been released from the club.[citation needed]

Port Talbot Town (loan)

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In the 2010–11 season, Cornell fell down the pecking order at Swansea following the signing of Yves Ma-Kalambay as cover for Dorus de Vries and was loaned out to Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town during the second half of the season to gain first team experience.[11] Cornell made 14 appearances for Port Talbot, keeping 5 clean sheets.

Hereford United (loan)

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After Swansea's promotion to the Premier League, Cornell's opportunities were further limited. In August 2011 Football League Two side Hereford United signed Cornell on an initial one-month loan deal as cover for Adam Bartlett.[12] After some impressive performances, Cornell's loan was extended by Hereford until the end of the 2011–12 season.[13] Cornell made 27 appearances in all competitions for Hereford.

St Mirren (loan)

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On 1 July 2013, Cornell joined St Mirren on a season-long loan.[14] Cornell made 6 appearances in all competitions for St Mirren before his loan was cancelled in December 2013.[15]

Portsmouth (loan)

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On 17 March 2015, Cornell joined Portsmouth on a one-month loan deal.[16] He did not make an appearance for the club before returning to Swansea in April.[17]

Oldham Athletic

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Following his release from Swansea City, Cornell joined League One team Oldham Athletic in July 2015 on a one-year contract with the option of an additional year extension.[18] He made his debut against Middlesbrough in the League Cup on 12 August 2015. Cornell made 17 appearances for Oldham during the 2015–16 season.[19]

Northampton Town

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In June 2016, Cornell joined Northampton Town on a two-year contract.[20] He made his debut for Northampton on 30 August 2016 against Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy. He featured as the second choice keeper during his first season at the club, behind first choice goalkeeper Adam Smith, making 10 appearances in all competitions with 6 of those being in the league.[21]

He continued as second choice keeper for Northampton during the following season, making 12 appearances during the season as Northampton suffered relegation from League One.[22] He was offered a new contract by Northampton at the end of the 2017–18 season, following their relegation.[23]

Cornell became the first choice keeper at Northampton during the 2018–19 season. He started every league game for Northampton, making 48 appearances in total in all competitions.[24]

He kept his place as the starting goalkeeper in the first-team the following season. He made 33 starts and 1 substitute appearance in the league, helping Northampton to a 7th-placed finish in League Two and qualification for the League Two play-offs as a result. Northampton won promotion to League One after defeating Exeter City 4–0 in the 2020 EFL League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium. He was an unused substitute during the final. He made 38 appearances in total during the 2019–20 season.[25] Cornell was released at the end of the 2019–2020 season after not receiving a new contract offer from the club.[26]

Ipswich Town

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On 17 August 2020, Cornell joined Ipswich Town on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with the option of an additional year extension.[27] He started his Ipswich career as second-choice keeper behind Tomáš Holý, appearing in cup competitions during the early months of the 2020–21 season, he played in all of Ipswich's EFL Trophy group stage matches, as well as in the EFL Cup and FA Cup. He made his first league appearance on 28 November, in a 0–2 loss to Charlton Athletic, before going on to make six consecutive league starts, his longest run in the team to date. He made a return to the first-team after over three months out in a 0–0 draw with AFC Wimbledon on 24 April, saving a penalty to keep a clean sheet.[28]

On 11 June 2021, the club announced that Cornell had left the club by mutual consent with a year remaining on his contract, after being informed that he was no longer in the club's plans for next season. He departed having made 15 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, keeping four clean sheets.[29]

Peterborough United

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On 29 June 2021, Cornell joined Peterborough United on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.[30] He started his career in Peterborough as a reserve keeper behind Christy Pym. He made his Peterborough debut in the EFL Cup on 10 August 2021, in a 4–0 loss. After Christy Pym bust-up with the Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson in a 3–1 loss to Reading on 14 September 2021, Pym has been excluded from the first-team picture. This allowed Cornell to take his place for this season. He made his Championship debut in a 3–0 win against Birmingham City.

Preston North End

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On 27 June 2022, Cornell signed on a two-year deal for Championship team Preston North End on a free transfer, after the expiration of his contract with Peterborough United.

International career

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Cornell made his debut for the Wales under-17 side on 25 March 2007, in a 3–0 defeat to Belarus,[31] and went on to win five caps at under-17 level, his last coming on 6 October 2007 in a 2–2 draw with Spain in the qualifying round of the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship.[32] In August 2009, he received his first call-up to the Wales under-21 side to face Italy,[33] but remained on the bench.

In November 2009, he made his debut for the Wales under-19 side, playing in consecutive defeats to Portugal and Spain in the qualifying round of the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship.[34] The day after, Cornell was handed a shock call-up to the Wales senior squad, for their friendly match against Scotland due to the playing commitments of Owain Fôn Williams, and Lewis Price, and an injury to Boaz Myhill.[35] Cornell however was not included in the matchday squad.[36]

Cornell made his debut for the Wales under-21 side on 18 May 2010 in a 1–0 defeat to Austria under-21s.[citation needed]

Cornell was called up to the Wales senior squad again in October 2010 for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Switzerland. He was an unused substitute in a match that Wales lost 4–1.[37]

Personal life

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Cornell often goes by the name 'Dai', a Welsh abbreviation of his first name.[38]

Career statistics

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As of match played 21 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Swansea City 2009–10[39] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
2010–11[40] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011–12[41] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[42] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14[43] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014–15[17] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Port Talbot Town (loan) 2010–11 Welsh Premier League 14 0 0 0 14 0
Hereford United (loan) 2011–12[41] League Two 24 0 0 0 1 0 1[c] 0 26 0
St Mirren (loan) 2013–14[43] Scottish Premiership 5 0 0 0 1 0 6 0
Portsmouth (loan) 2014–15[17] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Oldham Athletic 2015–16[19] League One 14 0 1 0 1 0 1[c] 0 17 0
Northampton Town 2016–17[21] League One 6 0 1 0 0 0 3[d] 0 10 0
2017–18[22] League One 6 0 2 0 1 0 3[d] 0 12 0
2018–19[24] League Two 46 0 1 0 0 0 1[d] 0 48 0
2019–20[25] League Two 34 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 38 0
Total 92 0 7 0 2 0 7 0 108 0
Ipswich Town 2020–21[44] League One 10 0 1 0 1 0 3[d] 0 15 0
Peterborough United 2021–22[45] Championship 30 0 1 0 1 0 32 0
Preston North End 2022–23[46] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
2023–24[47] Championship 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
Total 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0
Career total 191 0 9 0 10 0 12 0 222 0
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy
  4. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
David Joseph "Dai" Cornell (born 28 March 1991) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a for club Preston North End. Cornell was born in Waunarlwydd, , and stands at 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall. He began his professional career with Swansea City, joining their youth academy and turning professional in 2009, during which time he gained experience through loan spells at Town, United (2011–2012, 27 appearances), St Mirren (2013–2014, 6 appearances), and (2015, no appearances). After being released by Swansea in May 2015, he signed a one-year contract with Athletic, where he made 17 appearances in the 2015–2016 season. In June 2016, Cornell joined Northampton Town on a two-year deal, becoming their first-choice goalkeeper and accumulating 107 appearances over four seasons until 2020. He then moved to Ipswich Town as a free agent in August 2020, featuring in 15 matches before departing by mutual consent in June 2021. Cornell signed a two-year contract with Peterborough United later that month, where he served as backup but made 32 appearances in the 2021–2022 season, including 5 clean sheets. In June 2022, he transferred to Preston North End on a free two-year deal (extended to 2026), initially as a reserve but stepping in for key matches, such as an FA Cup tie in March 2025. Throughout his career, Cornell has amassed over 180 senior appearances across various English leagues, primarily in League One and League Two. He has earned youth international caps for , including at under-21 level.

Early life and personal details

Early life

David Cornell was born on 28 March 1991 in Waunarlwydd, a suburb of in . Although specific details on his pre- involvement are limited, his local upbringing provided a strong foundation in the sport within the football-rich environment of . Cornell progressed through the City youth and quickly established himself as a promising . He advanced steadily through the club's youth ranks, honing his skills in training sessions focused on goalkeeping techniques, positioning, and match preparation. This development within the emphasized discipline and tactical awareness, preparing him for higher levels of competition. By 2008, at the age of 17, Cornell earned his first taste of senior football when he was included in Swansea City's first-team squad for their pre-season tour of . This opportunity exposed him to professional training regimens and match atmospheres, bridging the gap between youth and senior environments. His academy experience culminated in signing a professional contract with Swansea City in 2009, setting the stage for his club career.

Personal life

David Cornell is commonly known by the nickname "Dai", a Welsh of his first name . Cornell maintains close ties to his Welsh roots, having been born and raised in the village of Waunarlwydd in the Greater Swansea Area, where he resided during his early career with Swansea City. His professional moves have necessitated relocations across , impacting his life through frequent transitions typical of lower-league football. In his , Cornell is in a relationship with Shaunie Harker, and the couple has a daughter named , who lives with a hidden stemming from a rare genetic condition that affects her learning and . As of November 2025, Cornell, aged 34, remains an active professional footballer under contract with Preston North End until June 2026. Cornell has been vocal about , sharing personal experiences as a parent to advocate for greater societal acceptance and support for those with such conditions, drawing inspiration from fellow footballers like and . His family's story played a key role in Preston North End's adoption of the program in 2023, an initiative to assist fans and visitors with non-visible disabilities at matches; Delilah notably led the teams out onto the pitch during a home game that season.

Club career

Swansea City (2008–2015)

David Cornell progressed through the youth ranks at his boyhood club , having joined the academy at a young age, and signed his first professional contract in July 2009 at the age of 18 following a successful season with the under-18s. He made his sole first-team appearance for shortly after, starting in a 1–4 defeat to on 25 August 2009, during which the Swans had three players sent off. Despite this debut, Cornell struggled to break into the senior squad amid strong competition from established goalkeepers like , remaining largely a backup option over the next six years without further opportunities in 's 223 competitive matches during his tenure. To gain senior experience, Cornell was sent on multiple loan spells starting in the 2010–11 season. His first outing was a six-month loan to Welsh side Port Talbot Town in January 2011, where he made 14 appearances and contributed to the team's mid-table sixth-place finish, keeping five clean sheets in the process. The following season, he joined Conference Premier club Hereford United on an initial one-month loan in August 2011, which was extended to the end of the campaign; Cornell featured in 27 matches, helping the Bulls secure a comfortable 16th-place position in League Two after promotion the prior year. These loans allowed him to develop his shot-stopping reflexes and distribution abilities in competitive environments, building confidence in handling high-pressure situations. In July 2013, Cornell joined club St Mirren on a season-long loan, but his involvement was limited to six appearances due to a combination of injuries and competition from goalkeepers Craig Samson and Sam Filler. He returned to midway through the 2013–14 term after the loan was cut short in December. Cornell remained with the Swans for the 2013–14 and early 2014–15 seasons as third-choice keeper behind Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel, featuring only in reserve matches. His final loan came in March 2015 to League Two side , intended as cover for the injured Michael Poke, but he did not make a single appearance during the one-month stint and returned to in April. Despite his development through these loans, Cornell was unable to displace the first-team options at and was released as a on 10 July 2015 at the end of his contract. Over his seven years with the club, he had honed key goalkeeping attributes, including commanding his box and precise long-range passing, but the lack of regular senior minutes at the Liberty Stadium prompted his departure in search of a permanent role.

Oldham Athletic (2015–2016)

In July 2015, Cornell signed a one-year contract with Oldham Athletic on a free transfer from Swansea City, arriving as a backup to provide competition in the position. He made his professional debut for the club on 12 August 2015, starting in the first-round match against , which Oldham lost 1–3. Over the course of the 2015–16 season, Cornell featured in 17 appearances across all competitions, with the majority coming in League One as he gradually earned starts amid shared duties with fellow . Notable performances included keeping clean sheets in League One fixtures against Rochdale on 24 October 2015, a 0–0 draw at Spotland Stadium, and against Blackpool on 15 March 2016, a 1–0 home victory that helped solidify Oldham's position away from the relegation zone. Building on confidence gained from prior loan spells, these outings marked his adaptation to the demands of full-time League One football. Oldham Athletic concluded the campaign in mid-table, finishing 16th in League One with 54 points from 46 matches. Cornell was among seven players released by the club in May 2016 at the end of his contract.

Northampton Town (2016–2020)

Cornell joined Northampton Town on a free transfer in June 2016, signing a two-year contract after his release from Athletic. His early role was as a backup goalkeeper behind during the 2016–17 League One season, where he made limited appearances but contributed to the team's survival, finishing 16th in the table. This experience in League One, building on his time at , helped ease his adaptation to Northampton's defensive setup. Following Adam Smith's departure in 2017, Cornell established himself as the first-choice , signing a new two-year contract extension in May 2018 amid the club's relegation to League Two at the end of the 2017–18 season. Over the subsequent campaigns, he made 108 appearances across all competitions, showcasing strong command in the and reliability in distribution. His performances were particularly notable in the 2019–20 League Two season, where the campaign was curtailed by the , yet Northampton secured promotion through the play-offs, defeating Exeter City 4–0 in the final on 29 June 2020 at , with Cornell named among the substitutes due to squad rotation and impending departure. During the 2019–20 promotion push, Cornell recorded 12 clean sheets in league play, underscoring his pivotal role in Northampton's defensive solidity that season. His contract expired at the end of June 2020, and he was not offered a new deal as part of the club's post-promotion squad rebuild, leaving as a in August 2020 to join Ipswich Town.

Ipswich Town (2020–2021)

David Cornell signed for Ipswich Town on a free transfer from Northampton Town on 17 August 2020, agreeing to a two-year with an option for an additional year. He arrived as a backup to first-choice stopper David Marshall, providing depth and competition in the goalkeeping department during the club's first season in following relegation from the . Cornell made his debut for in the on 8 September 2020, starting in a 2-1 group stage victory over U21s at . His League One debut followed on 3 November 2020, in a 4-1 home win against Shrewsbury Town, where he kept a clean sheet in the second half after replacing an injured teammate. Over the course of the 2020–21 season, Cornell accumulated 15 appearances across all competitions, including 10 in League One, primarily stepping in during periods when Marshall was unavailable due to injury or rotation. His cup outings included a start in the first-round defeat to Bristol Rovers and matches in the group stage, as well as a single appearance. Ipswich Town concluded the 2020–21 League One campaign in ninth place with 69 points from 46 matches, finishing just outside the promotion . Cornell's contract was mutually terminated on 11 June 2021, with one year remaining, allowing him to pursue opportunities for more consistent first-team football elsewhere.

Peterborough United (2021–2022)

In June 2021, Cornell joined Peterborough United on a free transfer from Town, signing a two-year to provide competition for incumbent first-choice Christy Pym. He had previously served as a backup at , which prepared him for a competitive environment at a higher level. Cornell quickly established himself as the primary , taking over from Pym in September 2021 following a managerial decision by . He made 30 appearances in the season, starting all of them and accumulating 2,700 minutes of play. During this period, he recorded 5 clean sheets, contributing to Peterborough's defensive efforts despite the team's adaptation challenges after promotion from League One the previous season. Additionally, he featured in one match and one match, bringing his total appearances for the club to 32. Peterborough struggled in the , conceding 88 goals across the campaign and finishing 22nd, which led to relegation back to League One. Cornell's consistent starts provided stability in goal amid the side's difficulties adjusting to the second tier's intensity. Cornell's contract expired at the end of June 2022, allowing him to depart as a to seek opportunities in the ; subsequently signed as their new primary .

Preston North End (2022–present)

Cornell joined Preston North End on a free transfer on 27 June 2022, signing a two-year contract that positioned him as the third-choice behind and . The move reunited him with Woodman, his former teammate from United, and provided depth to the squad in the . In January 2024, Cornell extended his contract until the end of the 2026 season, securing his role as a reliable backup option at age 33. During his tenure, Preston North End have maintained mid-table stability in the , finishing 12th in the 2022–23 season with 63 points from 17 wins, 12 draws, and 17 losses, and 10th in the 2023–24 season with the same points total but a stronger home record of 11 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses. As of November 2025, at age 34, Cornell remains under contract through June 2026, continuing to contribute experience to the goalkeeping unit amid discussions of long-term squad planning. Cornell has made 15 appearances across all competitions for Preston as of 2025, primarily in cup ties and as injury cover. His debut came in the second round against Wanderers in August 2022, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 defeat. In the 2023–24 season, he featured three times, including two starts: a 2–0 home win over Bristol City in January 2024 and a 1–1 draw at Hull City in October 2023, both providing emergency cover for the injured Woodman. The 2024–25 season saw increased involvement with 11 outings—10 in the and one in the —including a notable start in a 1–3 home loss to Bristol City in 2024. Beyond playing, Cornell has served as a mentor to younger goalkeepers, drawing on his extensive career to support the team's development.

International career

Youth career

Cornell began his international youth career with the Wales under-17 team, earning five caps between 2007 and 2008. He made his debut on 25 March 2007, starting in a 3–0 friendly defeat to , and featured in the qualifying rounds for the . He progressed to the under-19 level, securing two caps for in 2009–2010. Cornell debuted on 3 November 2009 and appeared in friendly matches as well as the qualifying rounds for the . At under-21 level, Cornell earned three caps between 2010 and 2012. He made his debut on 18 May 2010, starting in a 1–0 friendly loss to and playing the first 60 minutes before being substituted. His subsequent appearances came during the qualifying campaign for the . Throughout his youth international tenure, Cornell was regarded as a promising talent with potential to become ' future senior , highlighted by his surprise call-up to the senior squad for a friendly against in November 2009 at age 18.

Senior career

Cornell received his first call-up to the senior national team in November 2009, at the age of 18, for a friendly match against on 14 November. Included in the 23-man squad announced by manager , he served as one of three goalkeepers alongside Jason Brown and , acting as the third-choice option but remaining an unused substitute during the 3-0 defeat at . This shock inclusion came shortly after his professional debut for City, highlighting his rapid rise from the youth ranks. Cornell earned a second senior call-up in October 2010 under Toshack for a match against on 12 October. Named in the squad, he was a behind Hennessey and sat on the bench as an unused substitute in the 4-1 home victory. These early exposures marked the extent of his involvement with the senior team during the . Despite these opportunities, Cornell has not won a senior cap for as of November 2025, with official records confirming zero appearances. His progression was hindered by fierce competition for the goalkeeper position from long-established figures like Hennessey, who has over 100 caps, and later Danny Ward, who emerged as a reliable deputy following his move to Leicester City in 2018. Reports in 2020 indicated Cornell was considered close to another call-up amid injuries to primary options under manager , particularly for friendlies, but no further squad inclusions materialized.

Achievements and statistics

Honours

David Cornell's major team honours include the victory with Swansea City in the 2012–13 season, where he was part of the registered squad as a young . In 2020, he contributed to Town's promotion as play-off winners, named as an unused substitute in the final against Exeter City and serving as a key squad member during a season curtailed by restrictions that limited his playing time. Cornell has earned no individual awards in his career. While he represented at youth international levels, including under-21 caps, he has no senior international appearances or associated honours. These achievements highlight pivotal moments in his career, including a major domestic cup and a league promotion representing collective squad success.

Career statistics

David Cornell has recorded 0 goals across his professional career as a , with a total of 234 appearances and 49 clean sheets as of November 19, 2025. In league competitions, he has achieved a clean sheet percentage of approximately 28%.

Club statistics

The following table provides a breakdown of Cornell's club appearances and clean sheets by club, aggregated across seasons and competitions (league, domestic cups, and other tournaments such as the ). Data is sourced from official league records and excludes youth or pre-professional matches.
ClubLeague AppsCup/Other AppsTotal AppsClean Sheets
0110
(loan)140145
(loan)242265
St Mirren (loan)5160
143174
921610826
Ipswich Town105153
Peterborough United302325
Preston North End123151
Career Total2013323449
Note: Appearances at Preston North End include 10 league matches in the 2024–25 season (with 1 clean sheet), 2 in 2023–24, and minimal activity in 2022–23 and 2025–26 to date; cup appearances include and games. No discrepancies noted between sources for core metrics, though cup clean sheets are conservatively estimated where not explicitly broken out.

International statistics

Cornell has earned 0 senior caps for the national team. His youth international record, representing at various levels, consists of 10 appearances.
LevelAppearances
U175
U192
U213
Total10

References

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